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Provider Newsletter Archive
Click below to review past issues of the BCBSAZ provider e-newsletter. The most recent issue is listed first.
- February updates, reminders, and helpful tips for your teams
- Register now: Webinar on Long COVID
- Opportunity to learn more about using medications for opioid use disorder
- Annual physical exam: Proactive, preventive, and rewarding
- Annual update of BCBSAZ fee schedules
- January updates and helpful tips for your teams
- Federal Employee Program changes for 2023
- Submitting “clean” claims can help you avoid rejections and processing delays
- Claim form requirements for Federally Qualified Health Centers
- Diabetes and mental health: Helping your patients connect the dots
- Improving health equity is an important focus for MY 2023
December 2022
- Help protect your patients against flu season
- What’s new for prior authorization in 2023
- Calling all 2022 claims!
- Now available: 2023 BCBSAZ Provider Operating Guide
- Billing for preventive care: Protecting the member cost-share arrangement
- 2023 PCP-HMO plans: What you need to know
November 2022
- Important! Member account and prefix changes for 2023
- Revised rule requires billing with a comprehensive single code
- Certain Part B drugs to require step therapy in 2023
- Planning a move? Be sure to update your provider information
- Reminder: Quarterly fee updates and code edit changes
October 2022
- Help your patients steer clear of diabetes
- New billing requirements for inpatient visits effective November 1
- Let's close the gap: Cancer screening deficit associated with COVID-19
- Colorectal cancer screening: The latest provider guidance for MY2022
- One-on-one provider warmline now available for COVID-19
September 2022
- BCBSAZ to use 2022 version of InterQual starting September 19
- Earn CEs for diabetes certificate program: Free until November 30!
- Making it easy: BCBSAZ automated phone system
- When to contact a group's TPA
- What is HEDIS for QRS?
- Teen Lifeline delivers hope and help for Arizona youth
August 2022
- Message from Dr. Christ, Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
- New! FEP code list for pre-service review requirements
- Alliance/BlueHPN service area expands to Pinal County
- It's here: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Reminder: Quarter fee updates and code edit changes
July 2022
- Foundation grants over $1.3 million to impact mental health in Arizona
- Transitioning patients? Let's talk
- Biosimilars: Interchangeable products may increase patient access
- BCBSAZ Rx prior authorization now available through Cover My Meds
- Closing gaps in care, improving kidney health for patients with diabetes
June 2022
- Pharmacy fee changes have been delayed one month
- Accuracy is key to securing our members' PHI
- Effective July 1: Updates to prior authorization requirements
- Are you billing drug codes that will be soon considered obsolete
- Who is managing your secure provider portal account
- See our unit limits for antigen preparation
- Avoid dental claim rejections by including required NPI numbers
May 2022
- Single access point for BCBSAZ proprietary medical policies
- Medical policy changes for skin substitutes and amniotic membranes
- Controlling high blood pressure: Get to know the latest guidance for 2022
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month: The need for support is real every day
- How to help patients with postpartum depression
- Reminder: Quarterly fee updates and code edit changes
April 2022
- Announcing the BCBSAZ Foundation for Community & Health Advancement
- Help BlueHPN members avoid out-of-network costs
- How to check network status
- Help us keep your Medicare Advantage patients healthy with ReferWell
- Update: NYC retirees to remain in current Medicare plans for now
March 2022
- CMO Dr. Cara Christ introduces Colby Bower, VP of Provider Partnerships
- BCBSAZ is partnering with Availity for provider portal services
- Help us complete the HEDIS 2021 data collection
- New recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- BCBSAZ Medicare Advantage members can earn rewards for preventive care
February 2022
- A note of appreciation and a warm welcome to Dr. Cara Christ
- Preservice review waiver to expire on February 28
- Introducing a new process for EFT enrollment and changes starting March 9
- Making it easy: Send us quick data updates online
- ID card makeover for 2022: What happened to copay information?
- Annual update of BCBSAZ fee schedules
January 2022
- Federal Employee Program changes for 2022
- Many Canada Blue Cross members now have access to U.S. coverage via BlueCard
- Continuity of care update for 2022
- Delayed start date: NYC retiree plan switch to Medicare Advantage
- Documenting diabetes care: Follow the latest guidelines
December 2021
- Note important COVID-19 billing updates for 2022
- Preview the 2022 Provider Operating Guide
- Just hit SEND to initiate an overpayment correction—no more checks!
- Telehealth is here to stay: What you need to know
- Search tool now available for BCBSAZ proprietary medical policies
- For your reference: 2022 BCBSAZ member ID prefix lists
November 2021
- IMPORTANT UPDATE! BCBSAZ will continue the post-acute preservice review waiver until further notice
- BCBSAZ covers expanded range of COVID-19 vaccine boosters
- BCBSAZ to implement 90-day provider data verification cycle
- BCBSAZ is piloting a monoclonal antibody referral program for high-risk members
- Helping Medicare Advantage members reduce prescription high costs
- Reminder: Quarterly fee updates and code edits changes
October 2021
- Member cost-share waivers for most telehealth services to be discontinued
- BCBSAZ adds Blue PPO plan to Exchange offerings for 2022
- ABA services to require prior authorization
- Effective January 1: NYC retiree plan switches to Medicare Advantage Plus
- Protect patients from post-discharge medication errors
September 2021
- Pfizer booster authorized for individuals in high-risk categories
- BCBSAZ Rx prior authorization now available through Surescripts
- Patients count on you to refer in network!
- Don’t miss this Quartet webinar: Maximizing Mental Health Resources in Primary Care
- Prevent unnecessary ER visits with these proactive strategies
- Help your aging patients reduce the risk of falls
August 2021
- Effective immediately: Preservice review waiver is reinstated for post-acute care admissions
- Help us close gaps in care for Medicare Advantage members
- New dental claim requirements: Take action now to prevent rejections!
- Grant opportunity: Submit diabetes prevention and treatment proposals by September 2
- The COVID-19 vaccine could affect your patient’s mammogram
- Reminder: Quarterly fee updates and code edit changes
July 2021
- Code edit updates for professional claims begin August 1
- BCBSAZ launches partnership with Quartet behavioral health care navigator
- BCBSAZ no longer automatically generates secondary claims
- Check tier levels when referring State of Arizona employer group plan members
- How to set up for success with our network-rental line of business
- Latest provider guidance on documenting hypertension
June 2021
- Inpatient admissions once again require prompt notification or prior authorization
- Your guide to the BCBS BlueCard program for out-of-area members
- Check out the new “Chat about MAT” resource for your practice
- BCBSAZ and HCA are joining forces in Flagstaff and Chandler-Phoenix
May 2021
- Reminder! As of June 1, post-acute care admissions require prior authorization
- How to access BCBSAZ clinical criteria
- Revised guidelines allow BRCA testing through multi-gene panels
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month
- Emphasize the importance of prenatal and postpartum care
- Reminder: Quarterly fee updates and code edit changes
April 2021
- BCBSAZ will discontinue certain COVID-19 emergency measures May 31
- Fraud watch: New BCBSAZ policy requires providers to monitor receipt of payments
- Arizona legislators get busy voting on a backlog of bills
- Improved remit tool and claims e-learning available now
- BCBSAZ adjusts tier status for albuterol sulfate HFA inhalers
- The news is good: Regular screenings help find and prevent cervical cancer
March 2021
- Messages from our BCBSAZ CMO and CEO: We’re thankful for providers, hopeful for Arizona
- It’s all about our members: 2021 HEDIS data studies are underway
- Effective May 1, 2021: Annual fee schedule updates
- Access helpful provider resources for claim preparation
- Action steps to help patients with diabetes overcome therapeutic inertia
February 2021
- Building your patients’ confidence in COVID-19 vaccines
- New data elements required for professional claims
- April fee updates will not reflect the annual CMS fee changes
- BCBSAZ adopts 2021 E/M code revisions
- Get quick access to helpful 2021 provider resources
- Always send CHS group claims to BCBSAZ—not the TPA
January 2021
- As COVID-19 cases surge, BCBSAZ emergency measures continue
- Important precertification updates for 2021
- How to check your tier level for the new State of Arizona employer group plan
- PCP Coordinated Care HMO plan updates for 2021
- Funding the fight: Now accepting proposals for a substance use disorder grant
- Be aware of COVID-19 lab testing scams for Medicare-age patients
Click here to view the 2020 archive >>
Click here to view the 2019 archive >>
Click here to view the 2018 archive >>
Click here to view the 2017 archive >>
Click here to view the 2016 archive >>
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