The Connection OnlineSM
Online articles and news for physicians,
other health care professionals and facilities.The Connection Online
November 2008
Welcome to our first issue
We value your time and are dedicated to streamlining our printed and online communications. The printed editon of The ConnectionSM (PDF) continues to include important information for you and your office staff. The Connection Online offers additional news and articles not found in the printed issue. We hope you find The Connection Online to be a helpful, supplemental resource. Our newsletters are published quarterly in February, May, August and November. Have feedback? Contact Provider Communications.
Administrative and Billing Updates
Our online Coding Toolkit can help you
Our online Coding Toolkit helps you locate the coding edits we use when processing claims. Learn more information about the Coding Toolkit »
Health and behavior assessment codes
Health and behavior assessment codes (CPT 96150-96155) are used to identify the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, psychological and social factors related to a patient's primary medical condition. Learn more about these codes »
Helpful tips to avoid claims delays
Asuris continually looks for ways to ensure your claims are processed quickly and efficiently. These tips generally apply to claims submitted using a CMS-1500 claim form. However, some of the tips are valuable reminders for all paper and electronic claims. Read the helpful tips to avoid claims delays »
Third quarter 2008 claims processing results
We strive to meet the highest standards of claims payment timeliness. Our timeliness statistics are one way for us to ensure that we continue to meet our goal of excellent customer service. See the results >
Medical Policies
Please join our medical policy discussions
We would like your input and feedback as we draft our medical policies. If you are interested in joining our email reviewer list, please contact your provider consultant.
While we prefer to receive input as policies are developed, we also have a formal appeals process that allows physicians, other health care professionals and facilities to submit additional information, such as clinical trial results, that may warrant a policy review. Our Administrative Manual outlines our current appeals process and new appeals process effective January 15, 2009.
News
Improving hospital patient safety
Asuris shares your desire to have your patients receive the best care and the most positive outcomes possible. The following hospital comparison tools are available to help you select hospitals for your patients: Read more about hospital comparison tools »
Asuris holiday closure schedule
The following holidays will be observed by the closure of all Asuris offices: View our office closure schedules »
Products and Networks
Member card enhancements coming
As part of our ongoing efforts to include important and helpful information on our member cards, we are adding additional information to our EmbarkSM, VantageSM and MotivateSM member cards. Learn more about member card changes »
Pharmacy
Updates to medication policies and list
Medication policies
Summaries of recent changes to medication policy are available at http://blue.regence.com/trgmedpol/drugs/PolicyUpdates.pdf. Detailed policies are located in the Medication Policy Manual at http://blue.regence.com/policy/medication.
Preferred Medication List/Formulary (PML)
View our Preferred Medication List/Formulary (PML) in alphabetical order or by therapeutic class.
Important information about Synagis®
Synagis®, available through McKesson Specialty Pharmacy, treats infants at risk for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Read more about the benefits of ordering Synagis with McKesson Specialty Pharmacy »
Consider generics when possible
With the price of pharmaceuticals continuing to rise, here are some tips to help contain these costs: Learn more about methods to control pharmacy costs »
TriWest
Behavioral health resources available for U.S. military patients
To support your care to U.S. military members and their families, TriWest has added a behavioral health portal to the TriWest Web site. Read more about TriWest's behavioral health resources »
Online Resources 
Remittance Advice transactions
If you receive ANSI 835 Remittance Advice transactions via our electronic claims clearinghouse partner, Availity®, LLC, and experience problems, please contact Availity Client Services for assistance. Read more about electronic transaction support »