BCBSNC Provider eBriefs: Week of January 8, 2016

January 8, 2016

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) is committed to informing health care providers and facilities participating in our networks about recent medical policy updates, new products and programs, and other relevant BCBSNC news.

The following links are to articles of interest published on BCBSNC’s provider-specific Important News page . Please share this e-newsletter with others in your office who may benefit from the information and encourage them to sign up to receive it directly.

Release Dates: December 22, 2015 – January 5, 2016

Please note that our provider services call center has closed early today, in order what we may better assist our members due to higher than usual call volumes.  Please use Blue e^SM for eligibility, benefits, and claim status inquiries.

• 2016 Enrollment Delay Impacts Small Percentage of Individual Members
• CMS Announcement About Provider ECP Petition Process
• Medicare Advantage EFT Standard Payment Method as of March 1, 2016
• Rx Utilization Management Change Effective February 1, 2016 (also see article posted December 15, 2015)
• Part D Prescribers Must Enroll (or Opt-Out of) Medicare
• Information About Opiod Abuse Epidemic
• Federal Employee Program: Residential Treatment Center Benefit Changes for 2016

Important Reminders:

• Reminder that BCBSNC individual and small group members are now on our new technology platform as of January 1, 2016.  Read this article posted in late 2015 for more details about what you and your office staff need to know.
• Have you signed up for our convenient EFT service?  Please note that electronic funds transfer (EFT) will become BCBSNC’s standard method of provider payment as of March 1, 2016.  Sign up today!
• BCBSNC’s contract with Carteret Health Care in Morehead City to end February 1, 2016.