October 2017

After-hours Service Requirements

As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas provider, certain requirements must be met for after-hours services. Make sure you’re aware of these requirements, as well as contract standards, unacceptable after-hours coverage and language-appropriate services.

Increased Access to Breast Pumps Effective September 1, 2017

Texas Medicaid has developed additional medical necessity criteria to improve access to breast pump equipment for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. This improved coverage for breast pumps is intended to enhance the opportunities for providers to support the mother’s and infant’s breastfeeding efforts. Additional information is available in this Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership fact sheet.

U.S. Teens Need Your Help; October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month

Sadly, the rate of teen suicide has increased 40 percent over the last 10 years. As such, a key component of Texas Health Steps is psychosocial/behavioral health screenings. These screenings play a key role in the fight against depression and teen suicide.

Raise Patient Awareness About Women’s Cardiovascular Health

With heart disease and stroke being the No. 1 and No. 4 killers of U.S. women, it’s important to inform your patients about the behaviors they can control to help lower their risk of experiencing these diseases.

Use Your Influence to Fight Childhood Obesity

Common diseases now affecting U.S. children include Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. As a provider, you have tremendous influence with your younger patients, so offer lifestyle suggestions that can help make a difference in their overall health and wellness.

If you are a newly contracted provider or an existing provider who needs a refresher on one of these subjects, consider attending the following webinars. Please RSVP by the deadline.

Note: If you’re not able to attend any of the trainings below, they are available for completion via Brainshark at your own pace, date and time.