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For Providers
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September 2026 |
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SEPTEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
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Look for Your Medicare Advantage Access and Availability Survey
This brief biannual survey on appointment wait times supports network accessibility for our members. If you’re selected to participate, we’ll email you the survey this month.
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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH |
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Consider Behavioral Health Evaluations During Hospital Stays
To help improve health outcomes for members receiving inpatient care, we encourage hospital staff and attending providers to consider behavioral health evaluations and follow‑up care coordination when appropriate.
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CLAIMS AND ELIGIBILITY |
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Take Note of New Reconsideration Filing Limit for Commercial NICU Claims With Ineligible Reason Code of CR1
Beginning Nov. 2, 2026, submit reconsideration requests for commercial neonatal intensive care unit claims assigned a CR1 code within 180 days from the claim finalization date.
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New Claim Editing Rules To Be Implemented
On or after Dec. 1, 2026, we’ll update the Lyric software database to better align provider coding with industry standards. See what’s changing.
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CLINICAL RESOURCES |
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Discuss Flu Shots and Other Vaccines With Members
With flu season approaching, we encourage you to talk with our members about vaccines that can reduce the risk of illnesses and potentially serious outcomes.
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NETWORK PARTICIPATION |
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View PEAQSM Provider Performance Insights Reports
PPI reports for the Provider Efficiency, Appropriateness, & QualitySM program are ready for eligible providers to access online.
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Verify Your Directory Information Every 90 Days
Our members and other providers rely on our provider directory for accurate information about your practice. Contracted providers’ directory data must be verified at least every 90 days, even if it hasn’t changed.
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PHARMACY |
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Review Pharmacy Program Quarterly Updates – Part 1
We’ve made changes to our drug lists and utilization management program. Learn about these and other pharmacy program updates.
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STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS |
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Learn About Updates to Reimbursement Policies
We regularly add and modify reimbursement policies, formerly known as coding and compensation policies, as part of our ongoing policy review. See which policies were updated.
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Review Active and Pending Medical Policies
Approved new or revised medical policies and their effective dates are usually posted on our website the first and 15th of each month. You can view all active and pending policies, as well as draft medical policies, and provide comments on draft policies. These policies may impact your reimbursement and your patients’ benefits.
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Contact Us
Contact information for Provider Relations Representatives and other resources is on our website.
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
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3645 Alice St., Helena, MT 59601
© 2026 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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