OhioBWC - Basics: (Policy library) - File

  Policy and Procedure Name:

Drug Related Issues

Policy #:

CP-04-02

Code/Rule Reference:

R.C. 4123.66

O.A.C.4123-6-21, 4123-6-21.3, and 4123-6-26.

Effective Date:

12/29/20

Approved:

Ann M. Shannon, Chief of Claims Policy and Support

Origin:

Claims Policy

Supersedes:

Policy CP-04-02, effective 10/21/15

History:

Previous versions of this policy are available upon request


 

Table of Contents

 

I. POLICY PURPOSE

II. APPLICABILITY

III. DEFINITIONS

IV. POLICY

A.          Handling of Drug Related Issues

B.          Referral of Prescription Medication Issues

C.         Denial of Prescription Medication

V. PROCEDURE

A.          General Claim Note and Documentation Requirements

B.          General Pharmacy Information

C.         Return of Reimbursement Check or Correspondence from IW to PBM

D.         Cancelling of Check

E.          When BWC Receives a PBM AVR-1 Form

F.          Request for IME and Inpatient Detoxification Program

G.         Inpatient Detoxification Program Indicated in IME Report

H.         Requests for Drug Dependency as a Condition in a Claim

I.           Phone Inquiries for Drug Related Issues

J.          Motions (C-86) and Written Requests for Drug Related Issues

K.          Industrial Commission Hearing Orders for Drug Related Issues

 

 


 

I. POLICY PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure BWC claims services staff appropriately updates an injured worker’s address in the claims management system and processes independent medical examinations in a claim to assist the multifaceted Pharmacy Benefits program.

 

II. APPLICABILITY

 

This policy applies to BWC’s claims services staff.

 

III. DEFINITIONS

 

Drug Utilization Review (DUR): a medical management strategy performed by the Managed Care Organization (MCO) and BWC to review prescription medications in a claim and to evaluate the medical necessity and appropriateness of the prescription medication treatment.  DURs may identify inappropriate utilization (over-utilization or under utilization) of services.

 

Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM):  The PBM is a single-source for accepting and adjudicating prescription drug information and is separate from the MCO.  The PBM processes outpatient medication bills for State-Fund, Self-Insured Bankrupt, Black Lung, and Marine Industry Fund claims.  This program does not apply to claims managed by self-insured employers.

 

Pharmacy Benefits Program:  BWC’s Pharmacy benefits program streamlines the billing process for pharmacy providers and meets BWC’s mission of providing a quality, customer-focused program for Ohio’s employers and injured workers.

 

IV. POLICY

 

A.     Handling of Drug Related Issues

It is the policy of BWC that drug related issues are to be handled through the Pharmacy Department, PBM, and MCOs, except in the following situations when BWC claims services staff shall:

1.     Address updates made in the claims management system as a result of a PBM Address verification request.

2.     Schedule independent medical examinations as requested by the Pharmacy Department or MCO.

 

B.     Referral of Prescription Medication Issues

It is the policy of BWC that prescription medication issue(s) shall not be referred to the Industrial Commission (IC) unless a party to the claim files an appeal to a BWC Order.

 

C.    Denial of Prescription Medication

It is the policy of BWC that when prescription medication(s) is denied as a result of an inactive claim, that the request is handled in accordance with the Claim Reactivation policy.

 

 

V. PROCEDURE

 

A.     General Claim Note and Documentation Requirements

1.     BWC staff shall refer to the Standard Claim File Documentation and Altered Documents policy and procedure for claim note and documentation requirements; and

2.     Shall follow any other specific instructions for claim notes and documentation included in this procedure.

 

B.     General Pharmacy Information

1.     Claims services staff shall send all questions about drug related issues solely through the BWC Pharmacy Benefits mailbox. Claims services staff shall not use any other email mailbox for questions.

2.     All claims management system updates regarding drug related issues including drug authorizations and denials shall be updated by the pharmacy department.

3.     Claims services staff may identify a claim that needs a DUR based on factors considered to be red flags. The MCO will investigate the claim to determine if a DUR is or is not warranted in the claim.  When claims services staff identify a potential DUR, claims services staff shall send:

a.     A request for a DUR in an email to the MCO; and

b.     The reason for the DUR referral.

4.     Durable medical equipment (DME) and disposable medical supplies obtained at a pharmacy are handled through the MCO and in some cases BWC claims services staff, not the PBM.

5.     In cases of inactive claims, claims services staff shall refer to the Claim Reactivation policy and procedure when an outpatient drug(s) is denied as a result of a claim being inactive.

6.     BWC claims services staff may reference the MCO Policy Reference Guide and/or the Provider Billing and Reimbursement Manual for additional information regarding Pharmacy Department, PBM and MCO responsibilities.

 

C.    Return of Reimbursement Check or Correspondence from IW to PBM

1.     If the returned envelope contains a forwarding address, the PBM shall notify BWC of the new address by faxing the PBM Address Verification Request (AVR) form (PBM AVR-1) to BWC at fax number 866-336-8352 not more than five business days from receipt of reimbursement check or correspondence.

2.     If the returned envelope does not contain a forwarding address, the PBM shall check for an updated address for the IW in the PBM system and:

a.     If an updated address exists, shall resend the reimbursement check or correspondence to the IW not more than three business days from receipt of reimbursement check or correspondence.

b.     If an updated address exists, shall resend the reimbursement check or correspondence to the IW not more than three business days from receipt of reimbursement check or correspondence.

 

D.    Cancelling of Check

1.     In the event that a check is not cashed within 60 days of issuance, the PBM shall check the PBM system to see if an updated IW address was received.

2.     In the event that a check is not cashed within 90 days of issuance, the PBM shall ensure that the PBM system has been checked for an updated address prior to cancelling the check.

 

E.     When BWC Receives a PBM AVR-1 Form

1.     The PBM AVR-1 form shall be indexed in the claim as document type “PBM AVR – Address Verification Request Form.”

2.     Claims services staff shall review the PBM AVR-1 form within five business days of receipt. If this review shows the address is current, claims services staff shall:

a.   Update the IW’s current address and enter a note in the claims management system.

b.   Respond to the PBM AVR-1 form by sending a cover sheet with no attachment using RightFax to the PBM at the fax number listed on the form and to BWC Imaging.  The fax cover sheet shall contain:

i.       Injured worker’s name;

ii.      Claim number;

iii.     BWC claims services staff response (example below); and

“The correct address for this injured worker has been verified and updated in our claims management system.  Thank you, Diane”

iv.    In RightFax under more options tab, complete the “From” section.  (Note: Once you have entered your information in the “From” section it will save the data and self populate so the user will not have to enter it each time.)

3.     If the PBM did not provide an updated address on the PBM AVR-1 form or the address provided by the PBM is not current, the claims services staff shall:

a.   Review existing documents in imaging and claim notes contained in the claims management system; if an updated address is located, claims services staff shall update the address.

b.   If an updated address is not located, claims services staff shall:

i.       Attempt to contact IW by phone (if IW number is invalid or there is no number for IW, contact the IW representative, employer, employer representative, MCO, and/or provider).

ii.      If a corrected address is located, claims services staff shall update the address.

iii.     Enter note in the claims management system with action taken.

iv.    After two unsuccessful attempts to obtain IW’s current address, claims services staff shall:

a)     Enter PBM AVR note in the claims management system; and

b)     Respond to the PBM AVR-1 form by sending a cover sheet with no attachment using RightFax to the PBM at the fax number listed on the form and to BWC Imaging.  The fax cover sheet shall contain:

i)       IW’s name;

ii)      Claim number;

iii)    BWC claims services staff response (example below); and

“I have made two unsuccessful attempts to obtain a current address for this injured worker. Thank you, Diane.”

iv)    In RightFax under the more options tab, complete the “From” section (Note: Once you have entered your information in the “From” section it will save the data and self populate so the user will not have to enter it each time.)

 

F.     Request for IME and Inpatient Detoxification Program

1.     Claims services staff will receive a request for an IME on drug related issues in the following manner:

a.     An email from the MCO; or

b.     A referral work item from the Pharmacy Department.

2.     When claims services staff receive a request via email from the MCO or a work item from the Pharmacy Department for an IME on drug related issues including the specific IME questions to be addressed, claims services staff shall:

a.     Create an Exam Scheduling case in the claims management system using the “Miscellaneous” category; and

b.     Schedule the IME exam.

3.     Schedule the IME based on the request and include the specific questions to the DEP Physician, and MSS will perform quality assurance.

4.     Notify the MCO/Pharmacy department in the appropriate manner when IME exam is complete and report is received.

5.     Close the Exam Scheduling case in the claims management system.

 

G.    Inpatient Detoxification Program Indicated in IME Report

1.     Claims services staff shall notify the prescribing physician that it is his/her responsibility to coordinate the authorization of the inpatient detox program with the MCO.

2.     Claims services staff shall notify and coordinate with the MCO to facilitate the outcome with the prescribing physician.

 

H.    Requests for Drug Dependency as a Condition in a Claim

1.     When in receipt of a request for an additional allowance of drug dependency as a condition in the claim, claims services staff shall:

a.     Contact the IW and request they dismiss the Motion (C-86); and

b.     Contact the MCO and request they speak with the doctor about filing a Completing the Request for Medical Service Reimbursement or Recommendation for Additional Conditions for Industrial Injury or Occupational Disease (C-9) for detoxification (in dependency cases) and/or counseling (only warranted in cases of addicition).

2.     Claims services staff shall process a request for drug dependency in the same manner as a psychiatric condition request when the contact with the IW results in a refusal to dismiss the C-86. Refer to the Psychiatric Conditions policy and procedure.

3.     When the additional allowance of drug dependency as a condition in the claim is requested on a C-9, claims services staff shall follow the instructions provided in the Additional Allowance policy and procedure.

 

I.       Phone Inquiries for Drug Related Issues

1.     Claims services staff shall send an email to the BWC Pharmacy Benefits mailbox for all phone inquiries regarding outpatient drug benefits or other drug related issues not more than 48 hours from receipt of the call. Claims services staff shall include in the email:

a.     Name of IW,

b.     Claim number,

c.      Name of person calling,

d.     Description of the issue, and

e.     Phone number to return call.

2.     The pharmacy department shall handle all phone inquiries and enter notes in the claims management system not more than 48 hours from receipt of the claims services staff email.

 

J.      Motions (C-86) and Written Requests for Drug Related Issues

1.     C-86 Motions and written requests: Claims services staff shall enter a note in the claims management system and send a work item to the BWC Pharmacy Benefits mailbox notifying them of all C-86 Motions and written requests for drug related issues not more than five business days from the imaged date of the document in the claim. Claims services staff shall include in the work item:

a.     Name of IW;

b.     Claim number;

c.      Issue to be addressed:

i.       C-86 Motion or written request, and

ii.      Date of image.

2.     Claims services staff shall update the C-86 motion status in the claims management system as follows:

a.     Create a Legal Case Management case;

b.     Set a 30-day work item to follow-up on the outcome of the C-86 Motion;

c.      Close the Legal Case Management case once the decision is final on the C-86 Motion.

3.     The pharmacy department shall:

a.     Address C-86 Motions which shall result in one of the following:

i.       Dismissal, or

ii.      Suspension, or

iii.     BWC Order to allow and/or deny.

b.     C-86 Motions for drug related issues shall be suspended when another request is filed and in process that will have a significant and demonstrable bearing on the drug related issue thereby making the information necessary in order to properly administer the requested action. (e.g., Additional Allowance request)

c.      Enter a note in the claims management system with the action taken and outcome as a result of a C-86 Motion or written request.

 

K.     Industrial Commission Hearing Orders for Drug Related Issues

1.     Claims services staff shall set a Pharmacy Tech work item not more than three business days from receipt of the imaged date of all IC hearing orders regarding drug related issues. Claims services staff shall include in the work item:

a.     Issue to be addressed;

b.     Date of imaged document; and

c.      Type of hearing order (District Hearing Officer (DHO) or Staff Hearing Officer (SHO).

2.     The pharmacy department shall create (if case does not exist) or update the Medical Management case in the claims management system and enter a new row for each drug or authorization on all IC hearing order decisions concerning drugs on DHO hearing orders after the appeal period has expired (if no appeal has been filed), and upon request of an IC SHO order.

3.     The pharmacy department shall contact the appropriate BWC attorney for appeals or staffing as the situation warrants by creating a Case Event work item – Notice to BWC Legal in the claims management system.