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BLUECONNECT
Providers
March 2024
In This Issue
► March news: Executive summary
► CMS changes delay annual fee schedule updates
► AZ Blue welcomes you to the Availity Essentials portal
► Introducing two new code edits
► Prior authorization updates effective April 1
► Where to find FEP UM guidelines
Prior authorization no longer required for certain services 
Good news! To make it faster and easier for members to access care, we have removed several codes from the AZ Blue standard prior authorization code list, effective April 1, 2024. Most of the removed codes are in the surgery category, related to spine and joint procedures. We also removed some DME, enteral/parenteral, home health, pain management, and medical care codes. 
Applicable plans
The codes were removed from the following lists:
• AZ Blue Standard Code List (applies to most individual/family and group plans)
• City of Phoenix Group Customized Code List
• Snell and Wilmer Group Customized Code List
• State of Arizona Group Customized Code List
• Teamsters Group Customized Code List
The codes were not removed if they are on the following lists:
• Federal Employee Program® (FEP®) Code List
• Medicare Advantage Code List
Preview the revised lists
Please share this information and the revised code lists file with your prior authorization support teams. They can also access it via our Prior Authorization and Medical Policies page. 
Other prior authorization updates
In anticipation of Arizona Priority Care (AZPC) coming on board April 1 to administer prior authorization and claim/payment processing services for some of our Medicare Advantage HMO members, we have updated the following documents:
• Inpatient Notification and Authorization Requirements – Quick Guide
• Prior Authorization Requests – Quick Guide
• Medical Policy Access – Quick Guide 
These documents can also be accessed on our Prior Authorization and Medical Policies page.
Questions?
If you have questions, contact your Provider Relations Contact or call us at 602-864-4231 or 1-800-232-2345, ext. 4231.
In This Issue
► March news: Executive summary
► CMS changes delay annual fee schedule updates
► AZ Blue welcomes you to the Availity Essentials portal
► Introducing two new code edits
► Prior authorization updates effective April 1
► Where to find FEP UM guidelines
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.

Arizona Priority Care is a separate, independent company contracted with AZ Blue to provide utilization management and claim/payment processing services for providers and attributed members with certain AZ Blue Medicare Advantage HMO plans.

© 2024 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Inc. All rights reserved.

To add email addresses to our communication distribution list, reach out to your assigned Provider Relations Contact.
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