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BLUECONNECT
Providers
May 2024
In This Issue
► May news: Executive summary
► Now available: Annual fee schedule updates (effective July 1)
► New! AZ Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line
► New Category III code policy starts July 1
► Complimentary CNE/CME opportunity for maternity care providers
► Update your system to remove these obsolete drug codes
May news: Executive summary
Celebrating National Nurses Week
Recognizing nurses who inspire! Thanks to all who took the time to nominate an extraordinary nurse for our Nurses Who Inspire contest. The contest celebrates, recognizes, and rewards inspirational nurses in Arizona. From the long hours worked and patient advocacy provided, to the care and comfort they champion – nurses are truly the heart of healthcare. We couldn’t inspire health without them!

Meet the five amazing nurses selected to receive the contest prizes.
Effective July 1
• Annual fee schedule update – View article.
• New Category III Codes policy – View article.
• Obsolete drug code list update – View article.
New!
• AZ Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line now available for provider clinical support – View article.
• Complimentary training for maternity care providers available now – View article.
Other News and Reminders
We’re moving our EFT enrollment/change form to the Availity Essentials™ provider portal. As of June 1, we will use Essentials exclusively to receive requests for EFT enrollment and changes. For more information, see our EFT Provider FAQs.

AZ Blue will begin using the 28th edition of MCG care guidelines on June 10, 2024. For more information, see MCG’s February 27 press release. 

New prefixes: Prefix SMP will be effective June 1 and prefix B4R will be effective July 1. See the updated 2024 prefix list.

Arizona Priority Care (AZPC) now supports 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.

Visit our Change Healthcare Facts page for provider support information and FAQs. 
No-cost CEU opportunities
1. For maternity care providers: We’re partnering with the March of Dimes to help improve maternity patient-provider communication, overall patient experience, and quality of care. Check out this training opportunity for maternity care providers and staff (includes free 1.5 CME or CNE credits).  
2. Arizona Community Grand Rounds goes on pause for the summer months, but you can still listen to any presentations you missed. Access the recordings via the NARBHA Institute website.   
3. 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. 
4. American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) “Essentials” course (5.5 CME/CE credits) is still available at no charge to you. Please share this opportunity with your staff and use promo code ESS-BCBSAZ when you register.   
5. Free continuing education courses through the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) are still available for behavioral health providers who work with patients living with or at high risk for diabetes. Visit the ADA’s website for more information and resources.
For more information about these updates, contact us at 602-864-4231 or 1-800-232-2345, ext. 4231, or reach out to your Provider Relations Contact. 
In This Issue
► May news: Executive summary
► Now available: Annual fee schedule updates (effective July 1)
► New! AZ Pediatric Psychiatry Access Line
► New Category III code policy starts July 1
► Complimentary CNE/CME opportunity for maternity care providers
► Update your system to remove these obsolete drug codes
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.

The MCG care guidelines are the proprietary and copyright-protected information of MCG Health, part of the Hearst Health network. 

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.

© 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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