Featured Story:

Pediatrician Perspective Part 1: should I vaccinate my child?

Now that the FDA has authorized vaccination for adolescents ages 12-17, parents have questions. After surveying some of our members about concerns and hesitancy, we compiled some of the most common questions to ask Pediatrician and Medical Director at AllWays Health Partners, Dr. Lisa M. Scarfo, MD. Continue reading for part 1 of 2 to learn what Lisa had to say about getting kids vaccinated, the impact this year has had on students' development, and how to get adolescents socializing with their friends again safely.

As you probably noticed from our email, they way we're sharing our newsletter has a new look and feel based on your feedback. If you'd like to share your thoughts on on similar items in the future, join our online advisory group today.

Featured Story:

Do your patients know about the all-new AllWays member mobile app?

Now, your patients can manage their healthcare on the go with our all-new AllWays member mobile app. The easy-to-use app simplifies searching for providers, accessing plan information, and contacting our customer support team. To learn about all the features designed to improve your patients' healthcare experience, visit allwayshealthpartners.org/memberapp

In this issue:

• Upcoming webinar: new authorization process for high-tech and cardiac imaging
• Message from the Pharmacy Team
• New member search tool
• Revised medical policies
• Code updates

Featured story:

Answering patients' questions about the vaccine

No matter your specialty—your patients may have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. In a recent member survey, 74% of respondents marked their PCP or other doctors as the most reliable vaccine information source. Now that anyone aged 16+ is eligible to receive a COVID-vaccine in Massachusetts, patients are looking to providers for guidance.

We encourage you to visit our vaccine resource page for the most updated materials and visit our Best Practice blog for helpful tips. Below you'll find three of our most recent articles:

• Tips for talking to patients about vaccine side effects
• Vaccine hesitancy continues after the first dose—so here’s what providers can do to make sure patients get their second dose
• Tips for encouraging patients to pre-register for a COVID-vaccine

In this issue:

• Tumor treating fields InterQual criteria
• High-tech and cardiac imaging
• United claims in Massachusetts and Rhode Island
• Medical policy updates
• Revised medical policies
• Forumulary updates
• CPT code updates

Featured story:

Browse our new vaccine resource page 

Massachusetts will open the final phase of the vaccine rollout to the general public on April 19, 2021. If patients are hesitant to get the vaccine, we've created a dedicated COVID-19 vaccine page with a curated collection of resources for you and your patients: 

• Videos and FAQ for common vaccine concerns from Lawrence General Hospital
• Mass General Brigham vaccine FAQ (multiple languages)
• Vaccine and pregnancy (mass.gov)

In this issue:

• Medications obtained through the medical benefit
• New products
• New vaccine resource page
• New guidelines
• Hospital inpatient utilization report
• New, revised, and retired medical policy updates
• New codes
• CPT code updates
• Drug code updates

Featured story:

COVID-19 vaccine communications

As COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration accelerate across our state and nation, we are providing a few updates for you to share with your patients. First, there remain many myths and questions circulating in the community, and we want to ensure our customers and members have the facts about safe and effective vaccines. Addressing vaccine myths and providing the facts to instill confidence is critical to our shared success. We are joining our parent organization, Mass General Brigham, in supporting a critical state campaign, Trust the Facts. Get the Vax campaign, to educate the public and our members on the safety and efficacy of the COVID 19 vaccine.

In addition to vaccine safety, our vaccine communications tie in access, equity, and ongoing prevention as the phased approach outlined by the state continues to move forward. To remind members 75 and older to make their vaccine appointments, we are currently using proactive phone outreach. We are also sending individual text message to members 65 and older as well as those with two or more co-morbidities. Next, we’ll be sending target letters guided by vaccine phases.

We will continue to update you with the latest information as it becomes available.

In this issue:

• COVID-19 vaccine communications
• SPEAK UP Champions—implicit and explicit racial bias education
• Allies HMO
• New guidelines
• Reminder: ACCESS Law contraception coverage
• Revised and new medical policies
• My Care Family- new letter for EMR
• CPT code updates
• Drug code updates 

Featured story:

COVID-19 vaccine updates

With the vaccine rollout underway, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions your patients are asking in an easy-to-read FAQ . We cover where and when patients can the vaccine along with eligibility, payment, efficacy, safety, and mask wearing post-vaccination.

Reference these questions and more on our Coronavirus Resource Center for patients, providers, and employers. We'll continue to update the information regularly. So check back frequently and share the link go.allwayshealthpartners.org/coronavirus with your patients. 

In this issue:

• COVID-19 vaccine updates
• Reminder
• Inpatient PA waiver extension
• Medical Policy Updates
• HCPCS Code Updates

Featured story: COVID-19 updates

Our COVID-19 FAQs for providers give you the latest information, updates and resources. We are constantly updating our commercial and MassHealth FAQs as more information becomes available from the Federal and State governments. Please check back periodically to get the most recent news.

In this issue:

• COVID-19 updates
• Notification of Birth (NOB) Process
• Annual Provider Meeting & Product trainings
• New Products Webinar
• E/M code updates
• Reminders
• CPT Code Updates
• Medical Policy Updates
• Quarterly Hospital Admission Report

Featured Story: 2021 products and member ID cards

Get a look at our 2021 product portfolio and the member ID cards your patients will be bringing to their upcoming appointments

In This Issue

• 2021 products and member ID cards
• Getting instant outpatient prior authorization approvals with InterQual Connect 
• Survey: Annual satisfaction survey
• COVID-19 updates
• HEDIS data collection starts in January
• Medical policy
• Code updates
• Reminder: Confirm your Provider Directory information
• Available resources
• Contact information