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COVID-19 Information

AHCCCS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Ambetter and Allwell COVID-19 Information

Coronavirus Guidance

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging illness.  Many details about this disease are still unknown, such as treatment options, how the virus works, and the total impact of the illness.  New information, obtained daily, will further inform the risk assessment, treatment options and next steps.  We always rely on our provider partners to ensure the health of our members, and we want you to be aware of the tools available to help you identify the virus and care for your patients during this time of heightened concern.

Guidance

  • Know the warning signs of COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 have reported mild to severe respiratory symptoms. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fatigue, sputum production, and muscle aches.  Some individuals have also experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and nausea, prior to developing respiratory symptoms.  
  • However, be aware that infected individuals can be contagious before symptoms arise. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
  • Instruct symptomatic patients to wear a surgical or isolation mask and promptly place the patient in a private room with the door closed.
  • Health care personnel encountering symptomatic patients should follow contact precautions, airborne with N95 precautions, and wear eye protection and other personal protective equipment.
  • Refer to the CDC’s criteria for a patient under investigation for COVID-19.  Notify local and/or state health departments in the event of a patient under investigation for COVID-19.  Maintain a log of all health care personnel who provide care to a patient under investigation.
  • Monitor and manage ill and exposed healthcare personnel.
  • Safely triage and manage patients with respiratory illness, including COVID-19.  Explore alternatives to face-to-face triage and visits as possible, and manage mildly ill COVID-19 cases at home, if possible. 

Provider Billing Guidance for COVID Vaccines

THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID (CMS) RELEASE BILLING GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 Vaccine

Arizona Complete Health – Complete Care Plan (AzCH-CCP), our Medicaid line of business, is closely following advancements in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including vaccinations. As a healthcare provider, you will play an integral role as COVID-19 vaccines become available. We want to update you on important new information about vaccine coverage.

To prepare for vaccine administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have published billing guidance (PDF) for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers.  Similar to other COVID-19 services, the vaccines will be offered at no cost to your patients. In addition:

  • AzCH-CCP will configure its systems to properly adjudicate COVID-19 vaccine-related claims, both for the vaccine and its administration, in accordance with Arizona’s coverage determinations for Medicaid beneficiaries
  • Member liability will be $0
  • Non-participating provider pre-auth requirements will be waived
  • Provider reimbursement rates and emergency use authorizations (EUA) are all still pending and we will update you as that information becomes available

The American Medical Association (AMA) has published updates to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set that includes new vaccine-specific codes to report immunizations for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The code set will continue to be updated as additional vaccines receive EUA approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The following codes have been published as of November 10, 2020. However, they will not be billable until the specific vaccine receives official EUA approval.

Code

CPT Short Descriptor

Labeler Name

Vaccine/Procedure Name

0001A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 1ST

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0002A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 2ND

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

0011A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 1ST

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0012A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 2ND

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

Additionally, CMS has also published a set of toolkits to help providers prepare to swiftly administer the vaccine once it is available. If you have any further questions about this upcoming vaccine or the COVID-19 services AzCH-CCP covers, Provider Engagement at AzCHProviderEngagement@azcompletehealth.com.

THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID (CMS) RELEASE BILLING GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 Vaccine

Allwell from Arizona Complete Health is closely following advancements in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including vaccinations. As a healthcare provider, you will play an integral role as COVID-19 vaccines become available. We want to update you on important new information about vaccine coverage.

To prepare for vaccine administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have published billing guidelines for Medicare providers.  Similar to other COVID-19 services, the vaccines will be offered at no cost to your patients. However, please be aware the following billing specifics:

  • For Calendar Years (CYs) 2020 and 2021, Medicare payment for the COVID-19 vaccine and its administration for Medicare Advantage plan members will be made through the original fee-for-service Medicare program.
  • Allwell from Arizona Complete Health will not be able to process these claims.
  • Therefore, providers must submit claims for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to their CMS Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) using product-specific codes for each vaccine approved.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has published updates to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set that includes new vaccine-specific codes to report immunizations for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The code set will continue to be updated as additional vaccines receive emergency use authorization (EUA) approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The following codes have been published as of November 10, 2020. However, they will not be billable until the specific vaccine receives official EUA approval.

Code

CPT Short Descriptor

Labeler Name

Vaccine/Procedure Name

91300

SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML IM

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

0001A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 1ST

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0002A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 2ND

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

91301

SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML IM

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

0011A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 1ST

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0012A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 2ND

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

Additionally, CMS has also published a set of toolkits to help providers prepare to swiftly administer the vaccine once it is available. If you have any further questions about this upcoming vaccine or the COVID-19 services Allwell from Arizona Complete Health covers, please contact Provider Engagement at AzCHProviderEngagement@azcompletehealth.com.

THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID (CMS) RELEASE AN Interim Final Rule Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage

Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health is closely following advancements in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including vaccinations. As a healthcare provider, you will play an integral role as COVID-19 vaccines become available. We want to update you on important new information about vaccine coverage.

To prepare for vaccine administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have begun to publish guidance for providers.  Similar to other COVID-19 services, the vaccines will be offered at no cost to your patients. In addition:

  • Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health will configure its systems to properly adjudicate COVID-19 vaccine-related claims, both for the vaccine and its administration
  • Member liability will be $0
  • Non-participating provider pre-auth requirements will be waived
  • Provider reimbursement rates and emergency use authorizations (EUA) are all still pending and we will update you as that information becomes available

The American Medical Association (AMA) has published updates to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set that includes new vaccine-specific codes to report immunizations for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The code set will continue to be updated as additional vaccines receive EUA approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The following codes have been published as of November 10, 2020. However, they will not be billable until the specific vaccine receives official EUA approval.

Code

CPT Short Descriptor

Labeler Name

Vaccine/Procedure Name

91300

SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML IM

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

0001A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 1ST

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0002A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 2ND

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

91301

SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML IM

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

0011A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 1ST

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0012A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 2ND

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

Additionally, CMS has also published a set of toolkits to help providers prepare to swiftly administer the vaccine once it is available. If you have any further questions about this upcoming vaccine or the COVID-19 services Ambetter from Arizona Complete Health covers, please contact Provider Engagement at AzCHProviderEngagement@azcompletehealth.com.

Take Action

  1. Be alert for patients who meet the criteria for persons under investigation and know how to coordinate laboratory testing.
  2. Review your infection prevention and control policies and CDC's recommendations  for healthcare facilities for COVID-19.
  3. Know how to report a potential COVID-19 case or exposure to facility infection control leads and public health officials.  Contact your local and/or state health department to notify necessary health officials in the event of a person under investigation for COVID-19.
  4. Refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization for the most up-to-date recommendations about COVID-19, including signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, and treatment information.
  5. Be familiar with the intended scope of available testing and recommendations from the FDA.

This guidance is in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and may be retired at a future date.

Arizona Complete Health is closely following advancements in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including vaccinations. As a healthcare provider, you will play an integral role as COVID-19 vaccines become available. We want to update you on important new information about vaccine coverage.

To prepare for vaccine administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have published billing guidance (PDF) for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers.  Similar to other COVID-19 services, the vaccines will be offered at no cost to your patients. In addition:

Arizona Complete Health will configure its systems to properly adjudicate COVID-19 vaccine-related claims, both for the vaccine and its administration, in accordance with Arizona’s coverage determinations for Medicaid beneficiaries

  • Member liability will be $0
  • Non-participating provider pre-auth requirements will be waived
  • Provider reimbursement rates and emergency use authorizations (EUA) are all still pending and we will update you as that information becomes available

The American Medical Association (AMA) has published updates to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set that includes new vaccine-specific codes to report immunizations for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The code set will continue to be updated as additional vaccines receive EUA approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

The following codes have been published as of November 10, 2020. However, they will not be billable until the specific vaccine receives official EUA approval.

Code

CPT Short Descriptor

Labeler Name

Vaccine/Procedure Name

91300

SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML IM

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

0001A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 1ST

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0002A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

30MCG/0.3ML 2ND

Pfizer

Pfizer-Biotech Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

91301

SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML IM

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

0011A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 1ST

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – First Dose

0012A

ADM SARSCOV2 VAC

100MCG/0.5ML 2ND

Moderna

Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine

Administration – Second Dose

Additionally, CMS has also published a set of toolkits to help providers prepare to swiftly administer the vaccine once it is available. If you have any further questions about this upcoming vaccine or the COVID-19 services Arizona Complete Health covers, please contact Provider Services at 1-888-788-4408.

We are closely monitoring and following all guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) as it is released to ensure we can quickly address and support the prevention, screening, and treatment of COVID-19. As of March 18, 2020, the following guidance can be used to bill for services related to COVID-19 testing.

HCPCS and CPT Codes for COVID-19 Testing Services

  • Starting April 1st, 2020, providers performing the COVID-19 test can begin billing us for services that occurred after February 4, 2020, using the following newly created HCPCS codes:
    • HCPCS U0001 - For CDC developed tests only - 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel.
    • HCPCS U0002 - For all other commercially available tests - 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel.
    • CPT 87635 - Effective March 13, 2020 and issued as “the industry standard for reporting of novel coronavirus tests across the nation’s health care system.”
      Please note:  It is not yet clear if CMS will rescind the more general HCPCS Code U0002 for non-CDC laboratory tests that the Medicare claims processing system is scheduled to begin accepting starting April 1, 2020.
  • All member cost share (copayment, coinsurance and/or deductible amounts) will be waived across all products for any claim billed with the new COVID-19 testing codes.
  • We have configured our systems to apply $0 member cost share liability for those claims submitted utilizing these new COVID-19 testing codes.
  • In addition to cost share, authorization requirements will be waived for any claim that is received with these specified codes.  
  • Providers billing with these codes will not be limited by provider type and can be both participating and non-participating.
  • We will temporarily waive requirements that out-of-state Medicare and Medicaid providers be licensed in the state where they are providing services when they are licensed in another state.
  • Adjudication of claims is currently planned for the first week of April 2020.

Medicare Reimbursement Rates for COVID-19 Testing Services for All Provider Types*

  • We are complying with the rates published on 3/12/20 by CMS:
    • U0001 = $35.91
    • U0002 = $51.31
    • Please note: Commercial products will reimburse COVID-19 testing services in accordance with our negotiated commercial contract rates.
  • Any additional rates will be determined by further CMS and/or state-specific guidance and communicated when available.

TELEHEALTH DELIVERY & BILLING

AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual 320-I states in part that there are no AHCCCS restrictions for where the provider is located when providing services via telehealth.

The AHCCCS Covid-19 FAQ page states: Arizona was authorized by CMS on March 23rd to provisionally and temporarily enroll providers who are enrolled with another State Medicaid Agency or Medicare for the duration of the public health emergency.

For more information about telehealth services, please see this March 20, 2020 presentation, or visit the AHCCCS Medical Policy Manual 320-I Telehealth and the AHCCCS Telehealth Code Set.

Visit the Telehealth section on the AHCCCS FAQ page to find information on AHCCCS Telehealth Code Set, AHCCCS Telephonic Code Set (Temporary) (PDF), and AHCCCS Telephonic Code Set (Permanent) (PDF).

In order to ensure that all of our members have needed access to care, we are increasing the scope and scale of our use of telehealth services for all products for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency.  These coverage expansions will benefit not only members who have contracted or been exposed to the novel coronavirus, but also those members who need to seek care unrelated to COVID-19 and wish to avoid clinical settings and other public spaces.

Effective immediately, the policies we are implementing include:

  • Continuation of zero member liability (copays, cost sharing, etc.) for care delivered via telehealth*
  • Any services that can be delivered virtually will be eligible for telehealth coverage
  • All prior authorization requirements for telehealth services will be lifted for dates of service from March 17, 2020 through June 30, 2020 for Allwell and Ambetter lines of business (LOB) and from March 17, 2020 through the end of the COVID declaration of emergency for the Medicaid LOB.
  • Telehealth services may be delivered by providers with any connection technology to ensure patient access to care**

*Please note: For Health Savings Account (HSA)-Qualified plans, IRS guidance is pending as to deductible application requirements for telehealth/telemedicine related services. 
**Providers should follow state and federal guidelines regarding performance of telehealth services including permitted modalities.

Providers who have delivered care via telehealth should reflect it on their claim form by following standard telehealth billing protocols in their state.

We believe that these measures will help our members maintain access to quality, affordable healthcare while maintaining the CDC’s recommended distance from public spaces and groups of people.