Provider Resource Center

[{"id":434,"versionId":5,"title":"Clinical Services Referral Guide","type":4,"subType":null,"childSubType":"","date":"6/10/2024","endDate":null,"additionalDate":null,"imageUrl":null,"url":null,"baseUrl":null,"urlText":null,"description":"\u003cp\u003eHighmark Wholecare has developed a robust offering of clinical programs that offer whole person care to our members and improve health outcomes. We are excited to share that the updated \u003ca href=\"https://content.highmarkprc.com/Files/Wholecare/Forms/ClinicalServicesReferralGuide.pdf\"\u003e2024 Clinical Services Referral Guide\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;is now available for providers to review the programs accessible to their Highmark Wholecare patients.\u003c/p\u003e","longDescription":null,"visible":false,"archive":false,"liveStatus":2},{"id":392,"versionId":5,"title":"UM Transitions","type":4,"subType":null,"childSubType":"","date":"3/26/2024","endDate":null,"additionalDate":null,"imageUrl":null,"url":null,"baseUrl":null,"urlText":null,"description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant UM Authorization Updates:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Effective May 1st, there\u0026nbsp;are updates to the authorization requirements and processes for various Highmark Wholecare services. To learn more about these specific changes and to review reference materials, visit the following links:\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://wholecare.highmarkprc.com/Provider-Newsletters/Wholecare-Newsfeed/391/New-Authorization-Requirements-for-Musculoskeletal-Pain-Management-Diagnostic-Imaging-and-Physical-Medicine\"\u003eMusculoskeletal/Pain Management, Diagnostic Imaging and Physical Medicine\u003c/a\u003e;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://wholecare.highmarkprc.com/Provider-Newsletters/Wholecare-Newsfeed/390/New-Authorization-Process-for-Family-Planning\"\u003eFamily Planning\u003c/a\u003e;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/u\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://wholecare.highmarkprc.com/Provider-Newsletters/Wholecare-Newsfeed/389/New-Authorization-Requirements-for-Cardiology\"\u003eCardiology\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","longDescription":null,"visible":false,"archive":false,"liveStatus":2},{"id":356,"versionId":5,"title":"Prior Authorization Updates","type":4,"subType":null,"childSubType":"","date":"2/12/2024","endDate":null,"additionalDate":null,"imageUrl":null,"url":null,"baseUrl":null,"urlText":null,"description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEffective 7/1:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eServices requiring prior authorization from Highmark Wholecare\u0027s UM Department must be submitted through the GuidingCare portal in Navinet. If the portal is unavailable, you can call our UM team at 1-800-392-1147 TTY: 711 or fax the request using \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://wholecare.highmarkprc.com/Provider-Newsletters/Wholecare-Newsfeed/378/UM-Fax-Number-Changes\"\u003eUM fax numbers\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e. Shift care providers and services requiring authorization through HealthHelp \u0026amp; OncoHealth will continue to follow the current process.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","longDescription":null,"visible":false,"archive":false,"liveStatus":2},{"id":289,"versionId":5,"title":"E-Subscribe Provider Website Banner","type":4,"subType":null,"childSubType":"","date":"12/6/2023","endDate":null,"additionalDate":null,"imageUrl":null,"url":null,"baseUrl":null,"urlText":null,"description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Highmark Wholecare Provider Newsletter has been replaced with the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProvider News\u003c/em\u003e monthly email\u003c/strong\u003e. The \u003cem\u003eProvider News\u003c/em\u003e email will become our primary communications channel, allowing us to consolidate and simplify updates for you each month. \u003ca href=\"https://wholecare.highmarkprc.com/e-Subscribe-for-Publications-and-Notifications\"\u003eSubscribe here\u003c/a\u003e to stay up-to-date with Highmark Wholecare member programs, provider policies, claims, reimbursement, and more!\u003c/p\u003e","longDescription":null,"visible":false,"archive":false,"liveStatus":2}]

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7/15/2024

Medicare’s Mental Health Coverage: Updates to Eligible Professionals

On January 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) added Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) to the list of eligible professionals.

Please see the updated list of eligible professionals listed below:

Physicians (Medical Doctors (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs)), particularly Psychiatrists
Clinical Psychologists (CPs)
Clinical Social Workers (CSWs)
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
Physician Assistants (PAs)
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)
Independently Practicing Psychologists (IPPs)
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) (supervision of diagnostic psychological and neuropsychological tests)
Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) (equivalent to a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania)

What does this mean:

MFTs and MHCs may enroll in Medicare and bill independently.
MFTs and MHCs can still provide services and supplies as auxiliary personnel incident to a physician’s or certain Non-Physician Practitioner's (NPP's) personal professional service.
Medicare will pay for services at 80% of the actual charge or 75% of the amount a CP gets under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, whichever is less.
Highmark Wholecare is now credentialing MFTs and MHCs. Please contact Provider Relations for more information.

Additionally, Medicare will offer an exception to the direct supervision requirement for incident to behavioral health services provided by auxiliary personnel. Incident to behavioral health services can now be provided under the general supervision of a physician or an NPP, instead of direct supervision. Under general supervision, the physician or NPP may be contacted by phone, if necessary, as the physician’s or NPP’s presence isn’t required during a procedure.

Providers are reminded to follow medical documentation standards set forth in the Provider Manual when billing services to Highmark Wholecare.

Resources:

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The following entities, which serve the noted regions, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association: Western and Northeastern PA: Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Health Insurance Company, Highmark Coverage Advantage Inc., Highmark Benefits Group Inc., First Priority Health, First Priority Life or Highmark Senior Health Company. Central and Southeastern PA: Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield, Highmark Benefits Group Inc., Highmark Health Insurance Company, Highmark Choice Company or Highmark Senior Health Company. Delaware: Highmark BCBSD Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. West Virginia: Highmark West Virginia Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Health Insurance Company or Highmark Senior Solutions Company. Western NY: Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Northeastern NY: Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Shield.

All references to “Highmark” in this document are references to the Highmark company that is providing the member’s health benefits or health benefit administration and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.

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