For Travis Service-Area Medicaid & CHIP Providers

Welcome to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) Medicaid (STAR) & CHIP weekly newsletter. Thank you for participating in BCBSTX Medicaid (STAR) & CHIP programs.

Pertussis Information
Pertussis (whooping cough) is life threatening to babies. The Texas Department of State Health Services has published a pertussis brochure that is available in both English and Spanish. This brochure contains valuable information and addresses the need for the vaccine and cocooning (surrounding the baby with protection).

The link for the brochure is: http://www.preventpertussis.org/docs/brochure.pdf

New Value Added Services Effective Sept. 1, 2012
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) offers Value Added Services directed at improving the health of pregnant women through increasing access to preventive care and patient education. It is important for OB/GYN providers to become aware of these services and how they can request or refer clients for these services. Clients can be directed to contact Customer Service at 888-292-4480.

New Value Added Services effective Sept. 1, 2012:

Free Pregnancy Classes Home Wellness Visits (for mom and baby post-delivery) Free Breast Pump and Breast Feeding Coaching Austin Farmers' Market Vouchers (fresh fruits and vegetables) Dental Services for Pregnant Adult Members

Continued Valued Added Services:

Infant Safety Car Seat Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) Lodging and Food Coverage (for out-of-area NEMT travel) Sports and Camp Physical Enhanced Eye-Wear Frames 24-Hour Nurse Line

To qualify for the Free Infant Car Seat Program, members will provide their physician with a form for the physician's signature verifying prenatal visits.

For more information on any of these Value Added Services, please review our OB/GYN Training PowerPoint located at http://bcbstx.com/provider/network/medicaid.html, under Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP Provider Training.

Referrals to Providers and Laboratories
Only Medicaid-attested providers and laboratories are eligible for reimbursement under the Medicaid Program.  Providers must ensure referrals are to Medicaid-attested providers and Medicaid-attested laboratories. A listing of contracted BCBSTX providers and laboratories can be found on the BCBSTX provider website at http://bcbstx.com/provider/network/medicaid.html under the (interactive) Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP Provider Finder tab and the Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP Provider Directories and Pharmacy Directories tab.

New Pharmacies Added to the BCBSTX Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP Network
Beginning Sept. 15, 2012, new pharmacies have been added to our network. For a complete list of all contracted pharmacies, visit our provider website at http://bcbstx.com/provider/network/medicaid.html. Providers can locate contracted pharmacies in two ways: the (interactive) Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP Provider Finder tab and the Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP Provider Directories and Pharmacy Directories tab.

From Texas Health and Human Services, Aug. 14, 2012, Inspector General: Law Prohibits Free Gifts for Medicaid Clients
The Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General is reminding doctors and dentist that state and federal law prohibits giving free gifts to Medicaid clients. Solicitation of Medicaid clients is prohibited by the Federal Social Securities Act and by state laws. The ban on free gifts includes transportation services. Medicaid clients who need a ride to a medical appointment should call the state's Medical Transportation Program at 877-633-8747. 

BCBSTX offers non-emergency medical transportation as a valued-added service to CHIP members and to Medicaid (STAR) members when the state's medical transportation program is unavailable. Members may contact customer service at 888-292-4480.

Congratulations to Our Latest Webinar Winners
Aug. 23, 2012 - OB/GYN Provider Training Winners
Peoples Community Clinic
Melissa Galletos
Malu Ledesma
Gloria Garcia
Monica Cantu

Wagner Clinic
Denise Henke
Mary Lou Kocian

Sept. 11, 2012, Provider Orientation Winners
Cynthia Jahn - Wagner Clinic
Junior Hernandez - Round Rock Foot and Shoe

Sept. 19, 2012, Provider Cultural and Linguistic Toolkit Winners
Dawn Thomas - A P DME
Maureen - Dr. David Turner's Office

Sept. 27, 2012, Claims and Billing Winners
Tonya Morgan - Wyoming Springs Pediatrics
Donetta Nagle - Central Texas Speech Pathologist

Upcoming Training
Oct. 25, 2012 - OB/GYN Provider Training

Nov. 6, 2012 - Provider Orientation - Comprehensive Overview

Nov. 15, 2012 - Texas Health Steps

More information on the above trainings will be posted in a later edition of the BCBSTX Medicaid (STAR) and CHIP Medicaid Update newsletter.

Link to BCBSTX Medicaid Website
On this website, you will find links to the Provider Manual, Quick Reference Guide, Services Requiring Prior Authorization, and other useful information.
http://bcbstx.com/provider/network/medicaid.html

Contact Us
Provider Customer Service: 888-292-4487, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday

For general questions and concerns:
Jamye Rushing, jamye_rushing@bcbstx.com, 512-349-4876; Fax: 512-349-4848

Network Provider Representatives
Juanita Hill,  juanita_hill@bcbstx.com, 512-349-4896
Burnet, Williamson, Blanco, Lampasas, Llano, San Saba

Shelby Robinson, shelby_robinson@bcbstx.com, 512-349-4897
Lee, Austin County, Bell, Burleson, Milam, Washington

Britton Thibodeaux, britton_thibodeaux@bcbstx.com, 512-349-4898
Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Colorado, Comal, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lavaca

Dee Culver, deanna_culver@bcbstx.com, 512-349-4899
Travis

Clinical Outreach & Education, Quality/Compliance
Kathy Clark, kathy.clark@wellpoint.com, 512-349-4480

Senior Outreach Specialist/Member Advocate
Sonia Saenz, sonia.saenz@wellpoint.com, 512-349-4883