CCP/CDC go-live 7/1/2010

June 30, 2010

Hello to Everyone:

Please note the following items directly related to the successful submission of your prior authorization requests as we prepare for the CCP “go-live” date July 1, 2010, in addition to other changes and deadlines:

Beginning July 1, you will see the “CDC Search” button on the navigation bar on the left side of the CareConnection homepage.

You will need to submit your CDC electronically through CareConnection. You will not be able to fax the CDC to us.

We have posted the CDC Manual on SoonerPro under the “Manuals” tab, found under the “Resources” link. You can also find this manual under the “OHCA & ODMHSAS” link on SoonerPro by clicking on the ODMHSAS link on the left side of your screen once you access the major OHCA & ODMHSAS link. Proceed to the link for the “Adult Recovery Collaborative”.

You will have to have a CDC entered via CareConnection in order for APS to approve your request AND to issue your prior authorization number. There are no exceptions to this. If you have participated in the on-going teleconference trainings done by Mark Reynolds at ODMHSAS, you should be aware of the different types of CDCs, transaction types, etc. If not, please check the CDC manual for clarification.

As of July 1, 2010, APS will no longer accept faxed PA requests for initial and extension requests from outpatient behavioral health agencies and private providers, including psychologists. We will only accept faxed-based requests for PACT (Programs of Assertive Community Treatment); MST (Multi-Systemic Treatment); and special circumstance cases that are prior approved by OHCA or the APS clinical review team.

Reminder: APS clinical review teams will no longer fax Clinical Correction Notices to providers on PA requests that are incorrect or require additional information. Information to providers regarding their PA requests will be entered in the “Note to Provider” under the “Services Requested” section of the APS CareConnection record. If you do not have an APS CareConnection logon, please go to the SoonerPro site, under “Resources”, then (on the left side of the next screen), click on “CareConnection Forms.” Complete the User Access Request form and fax it to APS at 1-800-762-1639. We will process the form, assign you a User ID for CareConnection along with a temporary password, and e-mail you with the logon information.

APS will no longer fax responses to Status Requests, Correction Requests or Transfer Requests – the responses can also be found in the CareConnection record.

Beginning July 1, 2010, inpatient (acute/RTC/crisis units) and TFC providers will complete their PA request on CareConnection, including the completion of the ISRT information, PRIOR to contacting an APS reviewer telephonically to review the request. The inpatient templates can be located on SoonerPro, under the “Resources” link, then under Inpatient Clinical Forms. (See the first 2 documents listed, depending on the nature of your request.)  

Thank you for your patience during this time of significant changes to the systems you are all used to using. Please know that all organizations involved in these transitions will assist you in any way we can to make the transitions as smooth and painless as possible.

I will be doing a regional training in Durant on Friday, July 2nd, and again in OKC on July 9th which will cover the basics of our SoonerPro and APS CareConnection Web sites. You can find the training announcements with all the details under our Community Bulletin Board and “What’s New” on our SoonerPro site. We have also e-mailed this information to all of our SoonerPro subscribers. These trainings are for those providers who are unfamiliar with our two Web sites; those who may have been faxing requests and now need to know how to use CareConnection or who need a refresher course. The trainings are free and no CEUs will be given.

If you want to receive e-mails from us directly to keep up to date with all of the changes, please subscribe on our SoonerPro site, on the link in the upper right hand corner of our SoonerPro homepage that says, “Subscribe for E-mail Updates”. You will only have to list your first and last name, along with your e-mail address.

If you need additional training, please contact me at kdalle@apshealthcare.com.

Thank you very much,

Kathy Dalle