Here are some quick updates for your clinical and administrative teams:
May 1: City of Phoenix group begins using the AZ Blue standard prior authorization requirements
We’re streamlining! Starting May 1, 2024, the City of Phoenix employer group (prefix PXO) will begin using our standard prior authorization requirements instead of their custom list. The Snell & Wilmer employer group (prefixes SWB and SNK) recently started using the standard list as well. We will update the prior authorization code list and lookup tool to reflect these changes.
June 10: AZ Blue to begin using the 28th edition of MCG
Starting June 10, 2024, we will transition to the 28th edition of the MCG care guidelines. For information about this edition, see MCG’s February 27 press release.
Have you found us on Availity Essentials yet?
The Availity Essentials™ provider portal now features AZ Blue for eligibility and benefits, claim submission, claim status, and EFT enrollment/changes. Visit our Availity Essentials info page to learn more and get started.
Thank you for identifying extraordinary nurses!
We received many nominations for our Nurses Who Inspire recognition contest. We consider every one of them a winner and deserving of our gratitude! During National Nurses Week in May, we will announce the five extraordinary nurses who will receive the contest prizes.
Change Healthcare cybersecurity incident
Visit our Change Healthcare Facts page to see provider support information.
Reminder: Arizona Priority Care (AZPC) is now supporting some of our 2024 Medicare Advantage HMO plan members. Check the back of the member ID card for the applicable administrator. For details, see our revised 2024 MA overview.
No-cost CEU opportunities
1.
Arizona Community Grand Rounds: Join us on May 1 as we focus on strengthening a social determinants of health (SDOH) network across Arizona. We’ll get an overview of the CommunityCares closed-loop referral platform with perspectives from three local panelists:
Kelly McGann, Director, Social Determinants of Health
Contexture
Karen Brown, Director, Strategic Initiatives
A New Leaf
Julia Soto, Administrative Director
Phoenix Children’s Medical Group
Note: This will be the last session before the Grand Rounds webinar program goes on pause for the summer months.
2.
ArMA’s Heart of Medicine conference (June 22-23, 2024) includes a primary care education series (8.5 CME credits) designed for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician associates. When you register, select the option Primary Care Education | Access to Education ONLY. That part of the conference is free and includes complimentary breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
3.
Still available: The complimentary American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) “Essentials” course (5.5 CME/CE credits). Please share this opportunity with your staff and use promo code ESS-BCBSAZ when you register.
4.
May is the last month for the Mountain ECHO Academy virtual “all-teach, all-learn” educational sessions! They’re held on the first, second, and third Monday of the month, through May 2024 (one CEU per session).
Substance Use Disorders – first Mondays, noon-1 p.m. Trauma in Children – second Mondays, noon-1 p.m. Social Determinants of Health – third Mondays, noon-1 p.m.
Behavioral health providers who work with patients living with or at high risk for diabetes can access free continuing education courses through the American Diabetes Association® (ADA). Visit the ADA’s website for more information and resources.
The MCG care guidelines are the proprietary and copyright-protected information of MCG Health, part of the Hearst Health network.
Availity is a separate, independent company contracted with AZ Blue to provide website portal services for the providers who care for our members. Availity and Availity Essentials are registered trademarks of Availity, LLC.
Arizona Priority Care is a separate, independent company that provides services to AZ Blue Medicare Advantage HMO members and network providers.
American Diabetes Association is a trademark of American Diabetes Association, Inc.
Blue Cross, Blue Shield, the Cross and Shield Symbols, Federal Employee Program, and FEP are registered service marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
