Provider News

Medicare-Enrolled Speech-Language Pathologists May Apply to Enroll as Texas Medicaid Providers

Currently, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may only enroll to provide services to clients in the Texas Health Steps-Comprehensive Care Program (CCP), which includes clients age 20 and
younger. A new provider identifier has been created that will allow SLPs to provide services to clients of all ages, including those who are Medicare-Medicaid dual eligible. Beginning May 1, 2020, SLPs that are Medicare-Enrolled may apply to enroll in Texas Medicaid through TMHP and be assigned the new provider identifier. Click here for more details.

HHS Seeking to Increase LARC Utilization

In its ongoing efforts to promote women’s health, Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) is raising awareness of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) identifies LARCs, including intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive devices, as the most effective reversible contraceptive method. Requiring no action on the part of the person after the device is in place, LARCs have high rates of user satisfaction and method continuation. HHS has made improving access to LARCs a priority. 

Cystic Fibrosis Agents Clinical Prior Authorization to Include Trikafta Criteria Starting Feb 24, 2020

FirstCare implemented the Trikafta criteria within the existing Cystic Fibrosis Agents clinical prior authorization on Feb 24, 2020.  All clinical edit criteria can be found here.

The Texas Drug Utilization Board approved the criteria for Trikafta at the Jan 2020 meeting.  Trikafta is a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulating agent.  As part of the criteria is a check for duplicative or concurrent therapies with another CTFR modulating agent.  The board recommended the inclusion of this step to the criteria for all CFTR modulator agents.