Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Updates effective Sept. 1, 2020

July 14, 2020

On Sept. 1, 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) will update its list of Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Procedure Codes to comply with the American Medical Association (AMA). These changes are the result of new, replaced or removed codes implemented by the AMA.

What’s New: Providers will need to utilize the new list of procedure codes on the Blue Cross Medicare AdvantageSM Plans web page under the Prior Authorizations Requirement PDF Document section when determining if a service requires prior authorization Sept. 1, 2020, and after. You can also use Availity® or your preferred vendor for prior authorization requirements.

Check Eligibility and Benefits: Prior to rendering services, providers should use Availity or your preferred vendor to check eligibility and benefits to confirm membership, check coverage, determine if you are in-network for the member's policy and determine whether prior authorization is required. Availity allows prior authorization determination by procedure code and providers can submit requests on Availity using the Authorization & Referral tool. Refer to the BCBSOK Eligibility and Benefits page for more information on Availity. Payment may be denied if you perform procedures without authorization. If this happens, you may not bill your patients.

More Information: Check the AMA website Learn more about third-party links for more information on CPT codes. If you have questions, email the Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Network team.

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eviCore is an independent specialty medical benefits management company that provides utilization management services for BCBSOK.

Availity is a trademark of Availity, L.L.C., a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to BCBSOK.

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