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BLUECONNECT
Providers
June 2023
In This Issue
► June news: Executive summary
► Update your system to avoid obsolete drug codes
► Eligible providers can fast track prior auth requests
► Our AZBlue website redesign: Making it easier for you
► Updated HEDIS guidelines for hypertension
AZ Blue Navigators help Arizonans
who are no longer eligible for Medicaid
Obsolete pharmacy codes to be updated August 1, 2023
Pharmacy medications and radiopharmaceuticals are classified as obsolete when they are no longer manufactured and are also at least two years past their shelf life. These are excluded from Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (AZ Blue) benefit plans and are not eligible for reimbursement. 
Do you need to update your system to avoid these obsolete codes?

Effective August 1, we will update the drug code list to remove obsolete codes. Below are two codes that you might have billed recently. Please share our revised list of obsolete pharmacy codes with your clinical and billing staff. The list includes links to CMS and the National Bureau of Economic Research that you can access to ensure you are using only current CPT®/HCPCS codes for the national drug codes on your claims.
Obsolete Code Description Applicable Current CPT/HCPCS Code(s)
A9509 IODINE I-123 SODIUM IODIDE, DIAGNOSTIC, PER MILLICURIE The manufacturer no longer produces sodium iodide I-123 capsules. Other sodium iodide I-123 products should be billed with A9516.
A9539 TECHNETIUM Tc-99m PENTETATE, DIAGNOSTIC, PER STUDY DOSE, UP TO 25 MILLICURIES This product was discontinued in 2017.
Where to find the AZ Blue list of obsolete drug codes

You can view and download the list of obsolete pharmacy codes in the secure provider portal at azblue.com/providers: “Provider Resources > Guidelines > Claim Pricing > Obsolete Pharmacy CPT/HCPCS Codes.” We deny codes on this list.

Questions?
If you have questions about obsolete drug codes, please reach out to your provider liaison or call Provider Partnerships at 602-864-4231 or 1-800-232-2345, ext. 4231.
In This Issue
► June news: Executive summary
► Update your system to avoid obsolete drug codes
► Eligible providers can fast track prior auth requests
► Our AZBlue website redesign: Making it easier for you
► Updated HEDIS guidelines for hypertension
AZ Blue Navigators help Arizonans
who are no longer eligible for Medicaid
Blue Cross, Blue Shield, the Cross and Shield Symbols, MyBlue, BlueCard, Federal Employee Program, and FEP are registered service marks, and BluePathway and BlueJourney are service marks, of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are © 2023 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

© 2023 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc. All rights reserved.
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