providers.bluekc.com Open in urlscan Pro
66.6.122.93 Public Scan

Back to summary

Submitted URL:
https://providers.bluekc.com/Resources/Communications?utm_source=email&utm_medium=BlueSpeak&utm_campaign=Q1March2023#BlueKC-A...
Effective URL:
https://providers.bluekc.com/Resources/Communications?utm_source=email&utm_medium=BlueSpeak&utm_campaign=Q1March2023
Submission: On March 23 via manual (March 23rd 2023, 9:13:02 pm UTC) from US — Scanned from DE

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

* MEMBERS
* AGENTS
* PROVIDERS
* EMPLOYERS

Find Care Contact Blue KC

* Home
* Eligibility & Benefits
* Claims
* Prior Authorization
* Resources
* Medical Policies
* Account

BLUESPEAK NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

* Big News for BlueSpeak
* Community Investment
* Behavioral Health
* Attention! Telehealth Place of Service Billing Issue
* Overpayment Letter Request
* Blue Medicare Advantage Information
* Prior Authorization Updates
* Payment Policy Updates
* Medical Policy Updates
* Pharmacy Policy Updates
* Provider Portal Enhancements
* Contact Us

BIG NEWS FOR BLUESPEAK

In 2023, Blue KC is proud to be celebrating 85 years of being part of the Kansas
City community. In addition, 2023 also brings an exciting new re-design of our
quarterly provider e-Newsletter, BlueSpeak.

With this updated version, the BlueSpeak email features a fresher and more
streamlined look to make it easier to click on articles. BlueSpeak will continue
to offer the same helpful information, including provider education, policy
updates and announcements. We hope you enjoy learning about what is new at Blue
KC in this enhanced format.

If you have questions about any of these updates, please call the Blue KC
Provider Hotline at 816-395-3929 for Commercial line of business, 866-508-7140
for Blue Medicare Advantage line of business or 866-859-3822 for the ACA
Provider Hotline. We value and appreciate you as our partner in providing
quality care.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

Blue KC’s commitment to Kansas City has never been stronger. We’re here for
volunteerism, philanthropy, education and honoring community members who make a
difference in our city. Last year, we supported 284 nonprofits through
sponsorships, grants and volunteerism. Here are recent examples of our community
support:

HappyBottoms – Diapers for families in need

One in three low-income families do not have enough financial resources to keep
their children in clean, dry diapers. Since government safety net programs don’t
cover diapers, organizations like HappyBottoms fill the diaper gap in Kansas
City, and Blue KC helps. In 2022, Blue KC employees donated and packed more than
17,500 diapers for HappyBottoms. That means goodbye diaper rash and hello
connection and empowerment for families in need. Blue KC is honored to have been
named HappyBottoms 2022 Volunteer Group of the Year, awarded to an organization
that goes above and beyond in its support of the nonprofit.

First Call Alcohol/Drug Prevention & Recovery
Every year, the First Call Community Gratitude Luncheon recognizes the hard work
of professionals and volunteers who work to reduce the impact of alcohol, drugs,
and addiction in the Kansas City area. Blue KC has supported First Call since
1991 and has sponsored the luncheon annually. At the 2023 luncheon, First Call
honored Blue KC as its Philanthropist of the Year for our ongoing support and
contributions to these 2022 events and initiatives:

* Shut Out the Stigma partnership with the Kansas City Royals
* First Call staff appreciation event
* First Call Annual Golf Tournament

El Centro Academy – CPR education and kit donation
Blue KC teamed up with the American Heart Association – Kansas (AHAKS) to teach
CPR and donate CPR kits to families at El Centro. The January 26 event was part
of AHAKS’s “Héroes Salvando Corazones/Heroes Saving Hearts” initiative. El
Centro serves families in Wyandotte and Johnson counties to strengthen the
communities and improve lives of Latinos and others through education, social,
and economic opportunities.

New KCI Terminal – Wheels Up sponsor
Kansas City is crazy about its new single terminal at KCI. And so is Blue KC. As
a Wheels Up sponsor of the February 17 New Journey Begins Jubilee Event, Blue KC
helped honor the passion, hard work, and perseverance of the individuals
involved in the development and delivery of the new terminal.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

As a founding sponsor and proud partner of the KC Current, Blue KC offered
Mental Health First Aid certification training to members of the KC Current
front office on Jan. 24-25.

Blue KC and the KC Current know many of us are living with mental health
conditions. Together, we’re expanding the network of people who know how to help
through Mental Health First Aid training and the #SidelineTheStigma initiative.

Eleven individuals displayed their commitment to addressing behavioral health
challenges. This certification will better prepare and equip KC Current
leadership to advise and counsel their players with behavioral health needs.

Click here to watch a recap of the event. To learn more about the
#SidelineTheStigma initiative, click here.

Lucet Rebrand and Credentialing Assistance

We wanted to make sure you were aware New Directions Behavioral Health merged
with Tridiuum and combined to form Lucet, effective January 19, 2023. Last
December, In-Network providers were notified about the rebrand. Here is
additional info to know:

* The website for the former New Directions organization now redirects to
Lucethealth.com
* Lucet’s technology platform, design and navigation now match the company’s
new identity.
* Lucet is rolling out a new provider portal designed to streamline the
provider experience

To join the Lucet/Blue KC Behavioral Health networks, please visit
Lucethealth.com, click on the Providers tab and click on Join Lucet in the drop
down. The instructions on how to complete an application and documentation
required will be listed on that page.

To add providers to an existing GROUP account, please go to the Provider tab,
click the Provider Portal option and create an account. (If you have already
created an account, enter your login information. Emails were sent to providers
with login credentials). If you have an account, scroll down the page to access
the update forms and the group member applications (for providers within a
group).

ATTENTION! TELEHEALTH PLACE OF SERVICE BILLING ISSUE

Blue KC is seeing a pattern of claims that show the incorrect Place of Service
(POS) is being used to bill for telehealth and wanted to provide information to
help resolve this issue.

As reported in previous updates, effective January 1, 2022, the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the description of existing POS
code 02 and created new POS code 10 to meet the overall insurance industry
needs. Effective April 1, 2022, Blue KC modified its claims system to reflect
this change.

It is important that providers use the correct coding guidelines published by
CMS:

* POS 02: Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home
* o Descriptor: The location where health services and health related
services are provided or received through telecommunication technology.
Patient is not located in his or her home when receiving health services or
health related services through telecommunication technology.
* POS 10: Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home
* Descriptor: The location where health services and health related services
are provided or received through telecommunication technology. Patient is
located in his or her home (which is a location other than a hospital or
other facility where the patient receives care in a private residence) when
receiving health services or health related services through
telecommunication technology.
* POS for telehealth is not driven by the provider’s location. It is driven by
the member’s location.
* When filing claims with POS code 02 or POS code 10 for telehealth, please
remember to follow the correct coding guidelines.

Telehealth services billed by a provider with a POS code 02 is based on the
Medicare fee schedule for telehealth services provided in a facility. The
Medicare fee schedule for telehealth services in a facility (POS code 02) is
reimbursed at a lower amount than telehealth services provided in the patient’s
home (POS code 10).

Currently, providers do not see a change in reimbursement due to zero
cost-sharing during the public health emergency (PHE). However, post-PHE cost
sharing will apply, and this will cause member abrasion if not billed correctly.
This will also create unnecessary work for both the provider and Blue KC. Please
make sure your billing office understands the importance of billing the correct
POS.

OVERPAYMENT LETTER REQUEST

Have you ever received a letter from Blue KC stating a claim has been overpaid
and requesting reimbursement of the identified overpayment? We appreciate the
reimbursement check we receive from you to help resolve this issue, but please
make sure to attach your check to the Overpayment Letter when you mail it to our
Claims Recovery department within 30 days from the date of the letter.

Thank you for your cooperation to expedite resolution of the overpayment.

BLUE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE INFORMATION

The CMS CAHPS Annual Surveys Arrive in Patient Mailboxes

Last quarter, we reviewed the background on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS)
survey administration and noted the CAHPS survey has demonstrated that
reflecting on the patient’s feedback regarding their healthcare is imperative.

A strong correlation exists between a positive patient experience and the
following outcomes:

* Increased trust in healthcare institutions and healthcare plans
* Cost reduction
* Increased compliance with provider recommendations
* Decreased utilization and readmissions

Some positive attributes that produce these favorable results include beter
access to care.

(References: Michael et al., 2013, Xu et al, 2015), clear and empathetic
communication and perceived trust between providers and patients (Al-Abri &
Al-Balushi, 2014).

Each year, CMS selects a sample of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Prescription Drug
Program (PDP) beneficiaries to receive a CAHPS survey. To increase focus on
patient experiences, CMS has made CAHPS survey results the most significant
contributor to an overall STAR rating.

The surveys started getting mailed to your MA patients this month and will
continue through May. As a trusted provider of our members, we ask that you
encourage your patients to participate and complete the survey if they receive
one.

References: Al-Abri, R., & Al-Balushi, A. (2014). Patient satisfaction survey as
a tool towards quality improvement. Oman medical journal, 29(1), 3. Michael, M.,
Schaffer, S. D., Egan, P. L., Little, B. B., & Pritchard, P. S. (2013).
Improving wait times and patient satisfaction in primary care. Journal for
Healthcare Quality, 35(2), 50-60. Xu X, Buta E, Price RA, Elliott MN, Hays RD,
Cleary, PD. Methodological considerations when studying the association between
patient-reported care experiences and mortality. Health Serv Res, 2015, 50 (4):
1146-1161.

2023 ICD-10 Code Changes

Here’s a look at the 2023 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth
Revision (ICD-10) Code Changes:

* 1176 New codes added in 2023

* 251 Deleted codes in 2023

* 36 Codes converted into Parent Codes

* Significant Guideline updates

* Coding updates have been released at a more frequent rate than previous years
– This is caused from transitioning from a fee for service structure to a
value-based care system.

Dementia is one of the top categories that have 2023 changes:

Mixed Dementia is from more than one cause. There is an important ICD-10
guideline update for dementia which states:

“The ICD-10-CM classifies dementia (categories F01, F02, and F03) on the basis
of the etiology and severity (unspecified, mild, moderate or severe). Selection
of the appropriate severity level requires the provider’s clinical judgment and
codes should be assigned only on the basis of provider documentation (as defined
in the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting), unless otherwise
instructed by the classification. If the documentation does not provide
information about the severity of the dementia, assign the appropriate code for
unspecified severity.

If a patient is admitted to an inpatient acute care hospital or other inpatient
facility setting with dementia at one severity level and it progresses to a
higher severity level, assign one code for the highest severity level reported
during the stay.”

Dementia has 87 additional codes added for 2023. Codes for Dementia are expanded
to include:

* Type (Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Vascular, Frontotemporal, or Other etc.)
* Severity (Mild, Moderate, Severe, Unspecified)
* Specificity (Behavior Disturbances, Mood Disturbances, Psychotic
Disturbances, Agitation, Anxiety etc.)

Use the combination code when the word “with” is documented by the provider.
Follow all conventions, general coding guidelines and chapter specific
guidelines when selecting appropriate codes. Read all instructional notes in the
tabular list. Look for “code first”, “use additional code”, “excludes 1” and
“excludes 2” notations to select the appropriate codes.

References: CMS. (2022, October 1). ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and
Reporting FY 2023. p. 43.
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/fy-2023-icd-10-cm-coding-guidelines-updated-01/11/2023.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/comprehensive-listing-of-icd-10-cm-files.htm

Primary Care Provider on Blue Medicare Advantage Member ID Cards

For all Blue Medicare Advantage plans in 2023, the primary care provider (PCP)
is listed on the member's ID card. Members with PPO plans are not required to
use the PCP on their cards.

* This is to help with coordination of care between providers.
* PPO members can see a PCP who is different than the one on their card.
* Members can change the PCP name on their card at any time.
* The PCP name on the card has no impact on network coverage.

Diabetic Testing Supplies

Please be aware that the preferred brand of testing supplies for our Blue
Medicare Advantage plans is Contour. This includes meter, test strips and
lancets. Contour brand supplies are a $0 cost share at retail pharmacies.

Non-preferred brands such as One Touch, Accu-Chek and Freestyle will lead to a
20% cost share for your patients.

Continuous Glucose Monitors

Blue Medicare Advantage has two preferred Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)
products: Freestyle and Dexcom. Any other CGM product will require approval
through the normal exception process

Reminder – CGM products should only be prescribed to patients who meet the
current CMS criteria. This includes:

* Member is diagnosed with diabetes

* Member is treated with 3+ daily administrations of insulin (or continuous
insulin infusion)

* Insulin regimen requires frequent adjustment based on BGM or CGM testing
results

* In-person visit within 6 months

PRIOR AUTHORIZATION UPDATES

New Go-Live Date for Pain Management, Radiology and Cardiology Prior
Authorization with eviCore

* Our revised go-live date for transitioning prior authorization for Pain
Management procedures over to eviCore took place on March 1, 2023. eviCore
started accepting Pain Management requests for Blue KC members through the
CareCore National portal on February 24, 2023 for dates of service March 1,
2023 or later.
* When submitting a request on the CareCore National portal for a Blue KC
member, please note the 3-digit alpha prefix in the Member ID is not
required, but the last 2 digits are required.
* Note: Any Pain Management Procedures already authorized by Blue KC before
March 1, 2023 remain in effect and do not need to be resubmitted to eviCore,
regardless of whether the date of service is on March 1, 2023 or later.
Procedures that were not on the prior authorization list prior to March 1,
2023 and are being performed on or after March 1, 2023 REQUIRE a prior
authorization to be in place.
* *Important Update: Below is the complete list of additional codes that moved
to eviCore. We recently updated this list, so please make sure you have the
correct impacted codes:

01939 CPT/HCPCS MSK INTERVENTIONAL PAIN INJECTIONS ANESTHESIA
01940CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSANESTHESIA
01941CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSANESTHESIA
01942CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSANESTHESIA
0213TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
0214TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
0215TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
0216TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
0217TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
0218TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
0627TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSPERCUTANEOUS INJECTION
0628TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSPERCUTANEOUS INJECTION
0629TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSPERCUTANEOUS INJECTION
0630TCPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSPERCUTANEOUS INJECTION
22526CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSTHERMAL INTRADISCAL
22527CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSTHERMAL INTRADISCAL
27096CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSI JOINT
62263CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSADHESIOLYSIS
62264CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSADHESIOLYSIS
62280CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSADHESIOLYSIS
62281CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSADHESIOLYSIS
62282CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSADHESIOLYSIS
62287CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSDECOMPRESSION PROCEDURE
62292CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSCHEMONUCLEOLYSIS
62320CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62321CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62322CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62323CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62324CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62325CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62326CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62327CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
62350CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTDRUG PUMP
62351CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTDRUG PUMP
62360CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTDRUG PUMP
62361CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTDRUG PUMP
62362CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTDRUG PUMP
63650CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTNEUROSTIMULATOR IMPLANT
63655CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTNEUROSTIMULATOR IMPLANT
63663CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTNEUROSTIMULATOR IMPLANT
63664CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTNEUROSTIMULATOR IMPLANT
63685CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAINSPINAL IMPLANTNEUROSTIMULATOR IMPLANT
64451CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSI JOINT
64479CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
64480CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
64483CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
64484CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSEPIDURAL STEROID
64490CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
64491CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
64492CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
64493CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
64494CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
64495CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSFACET JOINT
64510CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSREGIONAL SYMPATHETIC BLOCK
64520CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSREGIONAL SYMPATHETIC BLOCK
64625CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSI JOINT
64633CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSPINAL DENERVATION RFA
64634CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSPINAL DENERVATION RFA
64635CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSPINAL DENERVATION RFA
64636CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSPINAL DENERVATION RFA
G0260CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSSI JOINT
M0076CPT/HCPCSMSKINTERVENTIONAL PAININJECTIONSPROLOTHERAPY

* These codes are the same for Commercial, Blue Medicare Advantage, ACA QHP and
Small Group ACA. Previously, some of these codes did not require a prior
authorization, so we encourage you to become familiar with this change. JAA
Note: Blue KC is managing these additional Pain Management prior
authorization codes for our Joint Administrative Account (JAA) line of
business.
* Also, the transition of Radiology and Cardiology from one eviCore platform to
another took place on March 1, 2023. This means eviCore started accepting
Radiology and Cardiology requests for Blue KC members through the CareCore
National portal on March 1, 2023. Previously, eviCore administered prior
authorization reviews for High-Tech Imaging and Cardiology on the
MedSolutions portal for Commercial, Blue Medicare Advantage, ACA QHP and
Small Group ACA. As of March 1, 2023, those reviews are being administered
through the CareCore National portal.
* eviCore recently held nine online training sessions to assist you and your
staff with the prior authorization changes to Pain Management Procedures and
Radiology/Cardiology.
* These sessions included information about the prior authorization process,
accessing information from the eviCore website and a question-and-answer
period.
* If you were unable to participate in a session, you can obtain a copy of the
presentation, as well as other important documents, at
https://www.evicore.com/resources/healthplan/blue-cross-blue-shield/kansas-city.
Once you arrive on that page, you can find the presentation by going to the
Solutions Resources tab, clicking on Radiology and then selecting Resources.
Documents are available in PDF format. If you need Adobe Reader, you can
download it from adobe.com/products/reader.
* If you have any questions regarding the eviCore web portal, please contact
the Web Support team via email at portal.support@evicore.com or via phone at
800.646.0418 (Option 2). For any Client or Provider inquiries not associated
with this training, please email ClientServices@evicore.com.

Code Updates

The codes below will be added to our prior authorization list, effective May 1,
2023. Be sure to use your log-in credentials at Providers.BlueKC.com, and click
on our newly transformed Prior Authorization function on the home page to view
current prior authorization lists.

CodeDescriptionEffective dateLine of Business S9123Nursing care, in the home; by
registered nurse, per hour5/1/2023Commercial and ACA S9124Nursing care, in the
home; by licensed practical nurse, per hour5/1/2023Commercial and ACA
T1000Private duty/independent nursing service(s), licensed, up to 15
minutes5/1/2023Commercial, ACA and MA T1001Nursing
assessment/evaluation5/1/2023Commercial, ACA and MA T1002RN services, up to 15
minutes5/1/2023Commercial, ACA and MA T1003LPN/LVN services, up to 15
minutes5/1/2023Commercial, ACA and MA T1030Nursing care, in the Home, by
registered nurse, per diem5/1/2023Commercial, ACA and MA T1031Nursing care, in
the Home, by licensed practical nurse, per diem5/1/2023Commercial, ACA and MA

Change for ACA Member Prior Authorization/Concurrent Review Requests

Do you have the new phone and fax numbers for ACA Member Prior Authorization and
Concurrent Review Requests after they recently changed? ACA member requests for
Prior Authorizations should now be called into 816-395-3989 or faxed to
816-926-4253. This fax number should also be used for additional clinical
information for authorizations already initiated. Inquiries regarding ACA Prior
Authorization can be directed to these contact numbers, as well. Concurrent
Review documents and Notice of Admissions for ACA members should be faxed to
816-395-2363.

The easiest way to submit a prior authorization for ACA members is by logging
into our Provider Portal at Providers.BlueKC.com and clicking on the prior
authorization box on the home page.

PAYMENT POLICY UPDATES

30-day Readmission

Blue KC wants to inform you that our new 30-day Readmission Payment Policy will
be effective May 1, 2023.

* This payment policy will apply to all lines of business, including, but not
limited to, Commercial, Blue Medicare Advantage, Federal Employee Program,
ACA QHP for Individual/Family and Small Group ACA.

* With this new policy, Blue KC will not allow payment for the second or
subsequent admission when a member is readmitted for the same or similar
diagnosis within 30 days of discharge. Facilities are to submit a replacement
claim for the originally submitted inpatient stay to seek reimbursement for
the additional covered days.

* A hospital readmission is an episode where a patient, who has been discharged
from a hospital, is admitted again to the same or similar hospital for the
same or related care within 30 days.

* A same or similar hospital is defined as a hospital that is a part of a
hospital system operating under the same hospital agreement, and/or if the
hospital shares the same tax identification number with one or more other
hospital(s).

* Any readmission to the same hospital within the 30 days of initial discharge
is subject to a medical record review on a pre-adjudication or post-payment
basis.

For more details about this new payment policy, go to the log-in page at
Providers.BlueKC.com and click on Go to Payment Policies.

Change to Durable Medical Equipment

Effective April 1, 2023, Blue KC will enforce the Durable Medical Equipment
(DME) National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Medically Unlikely Edit (MUE)
allowed amounts as outlined in the DME Payment Policy, POL-PP-195. This is to
ensure subscribers are receiving the correct number of resources necessary, but
not in excess.

As a reminder, for Commercial, FEP, ACA and Host Claims:
* When billing for monthly DME supplies that exceeds one unit per date of
service, please submit units for each day on separate claim lines. Examples:
* DOS 1/1/2023 A4332 2 units
DOS 1/2/2023 A4332 2 units
DOS 1/3/2023 A4332 2 units
* When billing for monthly supplies that equal one unit per day, please use a
date range. Example:
* DOS 1/1/2023-1/30/2023 A4259 30 units

For Blue Medicare Advantage Claims, the following DME items require a date span
on all claims submitted:
* Diabetic testing supplies (i.e., test strips, lancets)
* Continuous passive motion devices (CPM)
* Parenteral and enteral nutrition and administration kits
* External infusion pump supplies
* Suppliers must span the dates of service using “from” and “to” dates on any
claim for items listed above. The “from” date is when the items were provided
to the member. The “to” date is the last date the supplies are expected to be
used.

For more details, go to the log-in page at Providers.BlueKC.com and click on Go
to Payment Policies.

2023 CPT Evaluation and Management Guidelines

Effective January 1, 2023, Blue KC added a new payment policy for 2023 CPT
Evaluation and Management (E/M) Guidelines (POL-PP-236). The policy addresses
the following changes:

* Deletion of Hospital Observation Services E/M codes 99217-99220. Hospital
inpatient admit, subsequent and discharge codes will now be used for
observation services, as well.

* Revision of Hospital Inpatient and Observation Care Services.

* Deletion of Consultations E/M codes 99241 and 99251.

* Revision of Consultations E/M codes 99242-99245, 99252-99255.

This policy replaces Observation Services, Consultations, Evaluation and
Management Services and 2021 Office and Outpatient Evaluation Services, which
have been archived. Emergency Care, Prolonged Services and Critical Care have
been updated to reflect the 2023 Evaluation and Management updates/revisions.

For more details, go to the log-in page at Providers.BlueKC.com and click on Go
to Payment Policies.

Chiropractic Care Payment Policy Reminder

According to the Chiropractic Care Payment Policy, Chiropractic Manipulative
Treatment (CMT) CPT codes 98940-98942 are used to indicate the number of spinal
areas manipulated. Per the payment policy, CPT codes for musculoskeletal
adjustments must have a specific coinciding ICD-10 diagnosis code to support
each region of manipulation.

Blue KC will be enforcing this policy on a prepayment basis, which means that
claims will be denied if appropriate diagnosis codes are not assigned. For more
details on this policy, go to the log-in page at Providers.BlueKC.com and click
on Go to Payment Policies.

Organ Acquisition Costs

Effective January 1, 2023, Blue KC has a new payment policy for Organ
Acquisition Costs. Any claim submitted by a certified transplant center (CTC)
that contains organ acquisition costs will be stopped, and a request will be
sent for form CMS‐2552‐10, Worksheet D4 (Parts I‐IV). The form and Worksheets
are Computation of Organ Acquisition Costs and Charges for Hospitals that Are
CTCs.

Any facility claim that is billed for organ acquisition costs that does not send
form CMS‐2552‐10 and Worksheets I‐IV to Blue KC upon request will be denied as
an incomplete claim submission. To view this payment policy, go to the log-in
page at Providers.BlueKC.com and click on Go to Payment Policies.

IOP, PHP and Inpatient Treatment Services for Substance Abuse and Psychiatric
Care

Effective February 1, 2023, Blue KC has a new payment policy for IOP, PHP and
Inpatient Treatment Services for Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Care.

This policy outlines program criteria and documentation requirements for partial
hospitalization, intensive outpatient and short term residential mental health
and substance abuse treatment. To view this payment policy, go to the log-in
page at Providers.BlueKC.com and click on Go to Payment Policies.

MEDICAL POLICY UPDATES

New Blue KC Policies

The most up-to-date Medical Policy can be found by logging into
Providers.BlueKC.com and clicking on the Medical Policies section. While on that
web page, you can also find a link to view Milliman Care Guidelines (MCG), which
complement our Blue KC policies.

The Blue KC Medical Policy encompasses internal Blue KC Medical Policy, Blue
Cross Blue Shield Association derived Medical Policy and policies adopted from
our vendor partners, such as Avalon (APEA), MCG and EviCore.

Effective date – 4/1/2023 5.02.632 Hemgenix® 5.02.632 Hemgenix® (etranacogene
dezaparvovec-drlb) Effective date – 4/1/2023 5.02.633 5.02.633 Leqembi
(lecanemab-irmb)

Knee Arthroscopy

Updates to Blue KC’s Knee Arthroscopy guidelines related to meniscectomy or
meniscal repair became effective on March 1, 2023. Changes include:

* X-rays clearly identifying the Kellgren-Lawrence grade will be required.
* History must document specific details about function-limiting pain.
* Exam must document several specific abnormal findings.
* MRI must show a meniscal tear extending to the articular surface that
corresponds to symptoms and exam.
* A minimum of three (3) consecutive months of provider-directed non-surgical
management must be documented, including specific medications, injections and
a minimum of 6-weeks of supervised physical therapy.
* A locked knee on office physical exam that interferes with ambulation will
allow exceptions to some requirements.

PHARMACY POLICY UPDATES

Upcoming Removal of Abiraterone Drug from Formularies

On Feb. 1 2023, Blue KC removed the drug, Abiraterone 500 mg, from our
formularies. A specific generic version of Abiraterone 250 mg made by CivicaRx
is covered.

Abiraterone is used together with steroid medication (prednisone) to treat
prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The medication is
available through a singular partnership with OrchestraRx Specialty Pharmacy.

We made this change because the generic product made by CivicaRx is now
available and is the most cost-effective product available. This product
contains the same active ingredient as the abiraterone product.

Commercial Preferred Formulary Updates

Here’s a look at new Blue KC pharmacy polices that will require prior
authorization and went into effect on March 1, 2023 for our Commercial Preferred
Formulary members:

New Pharmacy Policies Policy Number Policy Name Summary 5.01.806 Zoryve
(roflumilast) cream FDA approved for Plaque Psoriasis; Topical; Pharmacy benefit
5.01.807 Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol) FDA Approved for
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); Oral; Specialty pharmacy benefit 5.01.809
Continuous Glucose Monitors, Sensors, and Transmitters Converted MCG Guidelines
which mirrored the Optum Guidelines into our own Blue KC pharmacy policy
template.

See below for Pharmacy Policies that will go undergo changes for our Commercial
Preferred Formulary members, effective April 1, 2023:

Pharmacy Policies with Changes Policy Number Policy Name Summary of Changes
5.01.642 Keveyis (dichlorphenamide) Added step requirement through new generic
dichlorphenamide 5.01.524 Step Therapy Policy Added generic topiramate ER to
step before brand name Trokendi 5.01.611 Esbriet (pirfenidone) Added step
requirement through new generic pirfenidone 5.01.687 Hetlioz (tasimelteon) Added
step requirement through new generic tastimelteon

PROVIDER PORTAL ENHANCEMENTS

Blue KC’s Provider Portal is now better than ever! Our powerful digital tool for
providers can be accessed 24/7 with a click of a button!

Provider Portal Features include:

* Search and review claims
* Submit and view electronic prior authorizations
* Look up member eligibility and benefits
* Access Medical and Payment Policies
* See provider remittances
* View Provider Reference Guides
* Check out recent news updates
* Read BlueSpeak provider e-Newsletter
* Find helpful provider forms
* Use dental resources
* And so much more!

Blue KC is proud of recent enhancements that were made to the Portal.

A new-look home page gives you one- to two-click access to core health insurance
functions, including member eligibility and benefits, prior authorization,
claims inquiry and remittances.

The new enhancements provide quicker account registration and a much easier
prior authorization experience. To learn more, click here to view a written
summary and video about each enhancement.

Please join the BlueSpeak email distribution list by sending a request to
BlueSpeak@BlueKC.com. You can also use this email address to give us any
feedback about BlueSpeak. We would love to hear from you!

ABOUT BLUE KC

* Newsroom
* History

* Leadership Team
* Affiliates & Subsidiaries

* Careers
* Community Impact

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

* Privacy and Security
* Sitemap

* Anti-Fraud

* Terms and Conditions

Visit BlueKC.com on your mobile device

* Facebook
* Twitter
* Google+
* Pinterest
* YouTube
* LinkedIn
* Instagram
* Tumblr
* Spotify
* Blue KC Blog

Give Feedback

providers.bluekc.com Open in urlscan Pro 66.6.122.93 Public Scan

Form analysis 0 forms found in the DOM

Text Content

providers.bluekc.com Open in urlscan Pro
66.6.122.93 Public Scan

Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOM