March 2017

Tuberculosis Screening: An Important Component of Texas Health Steps

Texas Health Steps (THSteps) utilization and provider documentation is one of the many targeted initiatives monitored by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) Quality department. In addition to provider medical record review, articles are written and distributed in this newsletter to highlight certain aspects of the required THSteps exam. Tuberculosis (TB) screening is another important, yet frequently lacking component in the charts when audited.

TB Requirements

• The TB questionnaire must be completed on an annual basis beginning at 12 months of age. Providers can locate the questionnaire on the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website.
• If you have an electronic medical record (EMR), the questionnaire may be built into it for your convenience, however it must reflect the same questions and flow in order to be compliant with the standards set forth for THSteps.
• If this is not included in your EMR, remember to include it in your patients’ charts in order to meet the compliance requirements.
• The TB Skin Test (TST) is to be administered only when a component of the questionnaire alerts the provider to a risk.

We encourage you to document and show proof of the great care you provide. We truly value your partnership and commitment to our shared members/patients.

Reference: Texas Health Steps Checkup Components. (n.d.). Retrieved Jan. 30, 2017