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Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! Synagis (palivizumab) Clinical Prior Authorization Forms Updated with Revised Abrysvo Criteria

Date: December 4, 2023 Attention: All Providers Effective date: November 17, 2023 Call to action: On November 17, 2023, Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) updated the Synagis Standard Prior Authorization Request (HHS Form 1321) to include a step to check for Abrysvo vaccine administration to the client’s mother during 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. How this impacts providers: Additional information on Abrysvo Vaccine include the following: Abrysvo is indicated for active immunization of pregnant individuals at 32 through 36 weeks gestational age for...

Provider Alert! 2023 COVID-19 Vaccine Currently Not Covered on Texas Medicaid and CHIP Formulary

Date: November 3, 2023 Attention: All Providers Call to action:  As of November 1, 2023, COVID vaccines are currently unavailable on the Medicaid and CHIP Formulary at this time. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is working on ways to add the COVID-19 vaccines to the pharmacy benefit. Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) will provide more information as it becomes available.  Next steps for providers:   In the meantime, should your patient inquire about the COVID-19 vaccine, please encourage your patients to receive their...

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! Clinical Criteria for Leqembi® (procedure code J0174) effective November 1, 2023

Date: September 26, 2023 Attention: Physicians Effective date for prior authorization criteria: November 1, 2023 Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) would like to let providers know that effective November 1 2023, the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) will be implementing prior authorization criteria for Leqembi® (procedure code J0174) for fee-for-service Medicaid. Leqembi (Lecanemab-irmb) is an amyloid-beta directed antibody indicated for early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Prior Authorization Requirements: Criteria for Initial Approval: Patient has Alzheimer’s disease (Diagnosis codes: G30.0, G30.1, G30.8 or...

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! EVV Users Must Complete Visit Maintenance Before They Lose Access on December 22, 2023

Date: September 25, 2023 Attention: STAR Kids Providers/Consumer Directed Services employers, and FMSA Providers Background information: As a reminder, HHAeXchange will go-live for current EVV users that have not on boarded as a proprietary system operator on October. 1, 2023. Call to action: The purpose of this communication is to inform program providers, financial management services agencies (FMSAs) and Consumer Directed Services (CDS) employers transitioning to the new state EVV vendor, HHAeXchange, are responsible for completing all required visit maintenance (including visit maintenance...

Provider Alert! HHSC Does Not Cover Vaccines or Drugs That Do Not Have FDA Approval or Emergency Use Authorization

Date: September 25, 2023 Attention: All Providers Effective date: August 31, 2023 Call to action: The purpose of this communication is to inform providers that Texas Medicaid and CHIP do not cover vaccines or drugs that are not authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will not cover procedure codes related to COVID-19 vaccine or drugs administration as non-risk payments (NRP) if the COVID-19 vaccines or drugs no longer have FDA approval or authorization....

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! Non-Risk Based Status for Zynteglo Began July 1, 2023

Date: August 28, 2023 Attention: Physicians Effective Date: July 1, 2023 Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) would like to let you know that effective July 1, 2023, reimbursement for Zynteglo is non-risk. Zynteglo (procedure code J3590) is a gene therapy for treating adult and pediatric clients with beta-thalassemia requiring regular blood cell (RBC) transfusions. How this impacts providers: Zynteglo is administered in a qualifying treatment center (QTC) for clients that meet prior authorization criteria. QTC is required to send the prescription to...

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! UPDATED: New EVV Vendor System HHAeXchange Launching October 1, 2023

Date: June 28, 2023 Attention: All Providers Effective Date: October 1, 2023 Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) would like to inform providers that a new single state funded Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) vendor system, HHAeXchange, is launching October 1, 2023. On April 26, 2022, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) posted a solicitation for EVV System Management Services. Through a competitive selection process, HHSC has selected Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC. How this impacts providers: Accenture will continue to...

Provider Alert! TCHP Psychotropic Medication Utilization Review (PMUR

Date: March 14, 2023 Attention: Pediatricians, Psychiatrists Call to action: Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) utilizes a PMUR program to promote safe prescribing of behavioral health medications to children and adolescents. TCHP identifies potential “prescribing outliers” using parameters established by the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC). This does not mean the prescribing is wrong or harmful to the child, but requires additional review due to potential for adverse reactions, polyprescribing, and other implications. Who is identified for review? Members under the age of...

Provider Alert! COVID-19 UPDATE ALERT #4 – Telemedicine Services – Physicians, BH, FQHC and RHC Providers

Date: February 10, 2023 Attention: All providers  Effective Date: January 30, 2023 The content in this message on Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) reimbursement for Telemedicine (Physician Delivered) and Telehealth (Non-Physician Delivered) Services as a distant site provider as permanent policy change (per S.B. 670, Texas Legislature, Regular session 2019) ended November 30, 2020 as announced by the Health and Human Services Commission. The content in this message on Rural Health Clinics as telehealth and telemedicine sites will remain in effect through March...

Provider Alert!

Provider Alert! Removal of Specialist Requirements from CAD Clinical Policies and Prior Authorization Criteria

Date: July 13, 2022 Attention: Providers Effective Date: August 1, 2022 Providers should monitor the Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) Provider Portal regularly for alerts and updates associated to the COVID-19 event.  TCHP reserves the right to update and/or change this information without prior notice due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 event. Call to action: HHSC is updating the prior authorization criteria for some clinician administered drugs. How this impacts providers: HHSC will no longer require the prescription include consultation with or be...