We’ve been working on a way to streamline patient transfers from acute care hospitals to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Thanks to much support from network hospitals and SNFs, and the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, it’s all going extremely well. We’re happy to announce that starting February 1, 2025, all AZ Blue network acute care hospitals will be able to transfer patients to SNFs more quickly. Learn more about our Quick Transfer Program.
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We now have more formulary options for our large self-funded group plans. In addition to the Open Drug List, these groups may select one of two premium drug lists (both are closed formularies):
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Standard Premium Drug List
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Custom Premium Drug List
To check which formulary is applicable to a member’s plan, call us at 1-866-325-1794 or use PreCheck My Script. Not sure if a group is self-funded? Check the back of the member ID card for this information:
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Please share this 2024 info with your teams
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It’s super important that your administrative teams know about the 2025 member ID prefix replacements. The updates impact eligibility and benefits, claims, and remits.
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If you’re contracted with AZ Blue for our Blue Advantage network, you’re in-network for all of our 2025 Medicare Advantage HMO plans. You do not have to be contracted with the other plan administrators: Optum Health Network Arizona (OHNAZ) and Arizona Priority Care (AZPC). Get the details in this overview: 2025 Medicare Advantage networks and plans.
Be sure your clinical support teams have the 2025 Medicare Advantage prior authorization code list and know which drugs are being added to the Part B step therapy list—get the updates and lists.
AZ Blue and many other Blue Plans schedule routine technology updates on Sundays. This can impact electronic transactions. Please note that you’ll have more success with your online eligibility and claim searches on other days of the week.
Free CEUs
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For providers who help patients make lifestyle changes: Learn how you can better support your patients through this “Essentials” course offered by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). When you register, use promo code ESS-BCBSAZ to get 5.5 CME/CE credits free of charge.
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For behavioral health providers: Take a look these free continuing education courses and resources offered by the American Diabetes Association® and learn more about how you can help your patients cope with diabetes.
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