RSV Prophylaxis

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in the United States remains variable by region but is increasing in some parts of Missouri, including St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas. The shift in seasonality for RSV was first noted in 2021. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports the use of palivizumab in eligible infants in any region experiencing rates of RSV activity at any time in 2022, similar to a typical (pre-2020) fall-winter season.

1915(c) Home and Community-Based Waivers (HCBS) Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Waivers

1915(c) HCBS waiver services are included in the Missouri Medicaid Program under the authority of a Home and Community-Based Waiver granted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Under a waiver, certain services that could not otherwise be reimbursed under Title XIX may be provided to a select group of participants, in order to provide an alternative to institutional care.

Telemedicine (Update)

MO HealthNet covers services provided via Telemedicine when the service can be performed with the same standard of care as a face to face service.

Telemedicine services may be provided to a MO HealthNet participant, while the participant is at an originating site, and the provider is at another location (the distant site.) The originating site facility fee cannot be billed to MO HealthNet when the originating site is the participant’s home.

Immunizations for Dual Eligible Participants (Update)

MO HealthNet providers billing vaccines for dual eligible participants shall bill Medicare for all vaccines. Vaccine coverage under Medicare Part B includes the pneumococcal, influenza, and Hepatitis B vaccines for individuals at high or intermediate risk and vaccines directly related to, the treatment of an injury or direct exposure to a disease or condition. Other vaccines not covered by Part B, such as but not limited to Tdap, Zoster, and Hepatitis B are covered by Medicare Part D. When a provider cannot bill the Part D plan directly, the vaccine should be dispensed at a pharmacy.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Devices for Dual Eligible Participants

The MO HealthNet Division (MHD) reimburses providers for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) devices for dual eligible participants even if their Medicare benefit does not cover it. The MHD currently has a Fiscal Edit in place to prevent duplicate billing of non-oral contraceptive products. Providers are responsible for checking criteria to confirm their patient’s eligibility for a LARC device prior to billing MHD.

Proper Billing for Drugs Billed to MO HealthNet

MO HealthNet Division (MHD) will begin desk audits of providers to ensure proper billing units are used for drugs billed to MO HealthNet. Providers are responsible for proper billing of claims as outlined in Section 15 of the Pharmacy Provider Manual (http://manuals.momed.com/collections/collection_pha/print.pdf(link is external)). Billing a claim with the incorrect unit of measure may result in greater compensation than entitled.

COVID-19: COVID Testing and Specimen Collection Codes

COVID-19: COVID Testing and Specimen Collection Codes – Updated

The MO HealthNet Division (MHD) continues to monitor Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance related to COVID-19 testing and specimen collection. The tables below lists the COVID-19 testing and specimen collection procedure codes MHD currently covers as well as who can bill each code, effective dates, max units, and rates.