Topics Related to Nurses and Physician Assistants (PAs)

On June 1, 2018, hospitals, physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners with an electronic health record system must have initiated a connection to NC HealthConnex, North Carolina’s designated statewide health information exchange network.

In response to the higher than normal number of influenza cases and influenza-related complications and deaths, North Carolina Medicaid is offering telephonic evaluation and management services to beneficiaries who are actively experiencing flu-like symptoms.

North Carolina Medicaid was recently made aware that several manufacturers of viscous hyaluronic acid products changed the status of their products from “drugs” to “devices” effective Oct. 24, 2017 and are therefore no longer offering rebate agreements with the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Effective with date of service Jan. 30, 2018, the North Carolina Medicaid and NC Health Choice (NCHC) programs cover Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant), GlycoPEGylated, lyophilized powder for solution for intravenous injection (Rebinyn) for use in the Physician’s Drug Program (PDP) when billed with HCPCS code J7199 - Hemophilia clotting factor, not otherwise classified.

Effective with date of service December 1, 2017, the North Carolina Medicaid and NC Health Choice (NCHC) programs cover vestronidase alfa-vjbk injection, for intravenous use (Mepsevii) for use in the Physician’s Drug Program (PDP) when billed with HCPCS code J3590 – Unclassified biologics.

Effective with date of service Jan. 8, 2018, the North Carolina Medicaid and NC Health Choice (NCHC) programs covers hepatitis B vaccine (recombinant), adjuvanted solution for intramuscular injection (Heplisav-B) for use in the Physician’s Drug Program (PDP) when billed with HCPCS code 90739 - Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), adult dosage, two dose schedule, for intramuscular use.

Effective with date of service Jan. 4, 2018, the North Carolina Medicaid and NC Health Choice (NCHC) programs cover etelcalcetide injection, for intravenous use (Parsabiv) for use in the Physician’s Drug Program (PDP) when billed with HCPCS code J0606 - Injection, etelcalcetide, 0.1 mg.

The NC Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) has received calls concerning claim denials for some services provided by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

Effective with date of service Dec. 11, 2107, the North Carolina Medicaid and NC Health Choice (NCHC) programs cover letermovir injection (Prevymis) for intravenous use in the Physician’s Drug Program (PDP) when billed with HCPCS code J3490 - Unclassified drugs.

Effective with date of service March 1, 2018, North Carolina Medicaid and NC Health Choice (NCHC) programs cover buprenorphine extended-release injection (Sublocade), for subcutaneous use in the Physician’s Drug Program (PDP) when billed with HCPCS code J3490 - Unclassified drugs.