For past announcements, please refer to the below.
Acentra Health is offering a series of specific trainings for administrators, medical providers, behavioral health providers and others to learn about and understand the new process. It is critical that all staff involved in the service authorization request process register for and attend a training session.
For more information, read the Medicaid bulletin dated Sept. 18, 2023 and view the list of upcoming training classes.
Wednesday, October 18th 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 18th 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 19th 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 19th 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Virginia Vaccinations
Everyone in Virginia Age 5 or Older Is Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine.
Please go to https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/ for information on how to get your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd dose or to get additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine.
DMAS Replacing VAMMIS With Medicaid Enterprise System (MES): Key Dates For Providers
This period of transition requires several functions that are currently part of VAMMIS to be taken temporarily off-line beginning March 30, 2022 through April 3, 2022. (Access to these functions will resume on April 4, 2022. The Virginia Medicaid Bulletin dated 3/4/2022 , Provides a list of those functions impacted, key dates and where to go for assistance during this period. Future memos will provide more detail on how to access the new and improved features offered by MES and will provide additional guidance on the various options for training for MES.
For additional information: Medicaid Enterprise System Information for Fee-for-Service Providers at https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-providers/medicaid-enterprise-system/fee-for-service-providers/, and Medicaid Enterprise System Provider Portal Pre-Launch FAQs at https://vamedicaid.dmas.virginia.gov/provider/faq Medicaid Enterprise System Provider Training at https://vamedicaid.dmas.virginia.gov/training/providers Email your Medicaid Enterprise System general questions to AskMES@dmas.virginia.gov.
Remote Patient Monitoring
DMAS has outlined its coverage of RPM in the Telehealth Supplement, include defining RPM, identifying covered RPM codes, and specifying reimbursement/billing requirements and equipment/technology criteria. Select RPM codes have been covered for suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 per the Medicaid Memo “New Administrative Provider Flexibilities Related to COVID-19” (dated May 15, 2020). That coverage will remain in effect until the end of the federal Public Health Emergency (see the Medicaid Memo “COVID Flexibilities Update – Expiration of State PHE” on 6/30/2021), but will require prior authorization for FFS members. RPM requests for treatment of FFS members with COVID-19 during the aforementioned period will undergo automated processing when submitted with an appropriate COVID ICD-10 diagnosis code to DMAS’s Kepro vendor via Atrezzo.
https://atrezzo.kepro.com/Account/Login.aspx
Effective for submissions as of May 1, 2022 AND with dates of service on and after May 1, 2022, RPM will be covered by FFS and MCOs for the following populations:
Prior authorization will be required for coverage of these services. Please reference the updated Telehealth Supplement, and its associated references, for FFS policies, service authorization criteria, quantity limits and billing processes. MCOs will adopt equivalent service authorization criteria and quantity limits as FFS.
Gender Dysphoria
Effective February 1, 2022 DMAS covers treatment for Gender Dysphoria. When diagnoses are for gender dysphoria (F64-), please send your request to the DMAS Medical Support Unit. Requests are received by faxing the completed form DMAS P-264 to 804-452-5450. For questions related to the Gender Dysphoria program, the Medical Support Unit can be reached at 804-786-8056. For more information on the new gender dysphoria program access the following link: https://www.virginiamedicaid.dmas.virginia.gov/ECMPdfWeb/ECMServlet?memospdf=Medicaid+Memo-2021.12.09.pdf
Federal Public Health Emergency Extended Until October 13, 2022; New State Public Health Emergency
The federal public health emergency (PHE) was extended on July 19 2022, and will now last until October 13, 2022. In addition, Executive Order 84 allowed for certain additional state flexibilities under a new, temporary state PHE. For additional information refer to the DMAS Medicaid link https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/media/4546/covid-active-flexibilities-update-4-19-2022.pdf
Update: Face-To-Face Supervisory and Case Management Visits
DMAS will continue to waive the enforcement of face-to-face visits in the event the member or family does not agree to participate in a face-to-face visit for the following Medicaid services: case management, service facilitation, and supervisory visits for personal care. This bulletin extends this period of non-enforcement until the end of the Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE). The federal public health emergency (PHE) was extended on July 19 2022, and will now last until October 13, 2022. For additional information refer to 03/17/2022 DMAS Medicaid Bulletin.
This flexibility is not for the convenience of the providers. When a member refuses the visit, providers should take steps to explain to the member/family why the visit is important, and work with them to come up with a plan that moves toward the return of face-to-face visits. The provider should document all efforts made to conduct face-to-face visits and only then may the provider complete the visit by telephonic or audio-visual means during the non-enforcement period.
Denial and Partial Approval Letters
Effective 12/13/2021, Kepro will generate denial and partial approval letters to members and providers in lieu of DMAS's MMIS system. These letters will be mailed by Direct Mail Works. Denial and partial approval letters will also be available within the denied case in Atrezzo. Providers will continue to be able to view and print the denial and partial approval letters within the Atrezzo provider portal. Denial and partial approval letters will no longer be available on the DMAS provider portal.
Approval letters will continue to be generated from MMIS and continue to be available through the DMAS provider portal.
Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) Guidance To Hospitals Behavioral Health Coverage
Effective 07/07/2021, Primary medical diagnosis with a secondary diagnosis of substance use disorder or Behavioral health should be submitted to Kepro for service authorization review. For Primary diagnosis of substance use disorder or behavioral health contact Magellan at 1.800.424.4524.
To access the ARTS Guidance document please click the Training tab then select Inpatient Services or from the home page you may access the DMAS manuals in the "Service Authorization" Appendix in the Hospital and the ARTS Provider manuals.
Appeal Request
Request for an Appeal is submitted to Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Appeal request can be Faxed to: (804) 452-5454 or Mailed to : Appeal Division at 600 East Broad Street, Richmond, Va. 23219.
Submittal of Grievances and Complains to KEPRO
Effective 02/27/2020, Submit Grievances and/or Complaints to KEPRO in writing at vaproviderissues@kepro.com or contact EKPRO Customer Service Department at 888.827.2884. Grievances/Complaints are reviewed and resolved within five (5) business days. Expedited grievance/complaints are reviewed and resolved within seventy-two (72)hours from date of receipt.
Notice To Providers Regarding DMAS Policy Change
Effective May 1, 2019, DMAS has a new Policy change for children in the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver. For Additional information access Training Tab > Waivers> CCCP Waiver and EPSDT PC/AC Submission Rules Chart.