Notices and Announcments

Blue Advantage HMO^SM and Blue Advantage Plus^SM HMO Provider Webinar Sessions
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) Network Management Department will be holding four provider webinar training sessions to review information regarding products offered on the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2016.

Provider Webinar Training Dates
Training sessions are being offered on the following dates and times:

• Nov. 17, 2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m., CT
• Nov. 23, 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., CT   
• Dec. 2, 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., CT
• Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m., CT

If you have questions please call your network representative.

Hospitals and Routine Services and Supplies
Routine services and supplies are generally already included by the provider in charges related to other procedures or services. As such, these items are considered non-billable for separate reimbursement. The following guidelines may assist hospital personnel in identifying items, supplies, and services that are not separately billable.

This is not an all-inclusive list.

• Any supplies, items and services that are necessary or otherwise integral to the provision of a specific service and/or the delivery of services in a specific location are considered routine services and not separately billable in the inpatient and outpatient environments.
• All items and supplies that may be purchased over-the-counter are not separately billable.
• All reusable items, supplies and equipment that are provided to all patients during an inpatient or outpatient admission are not separately billable.
• All reusable items, supplies and equipment that are provided to all patients admitted to a given treatment area or units are not separately billable.
• All reusable items, supplies and equipment that are provided to all patients receiving the same service are not separately billable.

Talking with BCBSTX Behavioral Health Staff
BCBSTX behavioral health representatives are available to help with questions about member benefits, requests for authorization, care coordination, finding community resources for members and more.

You can reach a BCBSTX behavioral health representative Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. For assistance, just dial the customer service number on the back of the member’s ID card; call toll-free or collect.

After normal business hours, you can leave a message in a confidential voicemail box. A representative will return your call within 24 hours and identify herself/himself by name, title and company name.

BCBSTX behavioral health representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for crisis calls and emergency preauthorization requests via the customer  service number on the back of the member’s ID card.