Announcements

11/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Duloxetine (Towa – October)

Towa Pharmaceutical is recalling one lot, lot 220128, of Duloxetine Delayed-Release Capsules, USP, 20 mg. Duloxetine is used to treat anxiety, depression, and certain types of nerve pain.

This drug is being recalled because it contained an impurity called N-nitroso-duloxetine. According to the FDA, nitrosamine impurities may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels and over long periods of time. Additionally, the FDA added that someone who is taking a drug that contains nitrosamines at or below the acceptable daily intake limits every day for several years is not expected to have an increased risk of cancer.

To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received it or visit the FDA report and website below. If you have an affected lot of Duloxetine, The FDA advises that you should stop using the product and return it to the place of purchase or throw it away.

As of Oct. 23, there had been no reports of adverse events related to this recall.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• View the FDA report.
• Visit the FDA website.

11/2024New Provider OnLine security updates coming soon

On Nov. 8, 2024, the security settings for UPMC Health Plan’s Provider OnLine website will be updated.

Existing user accounts will be migrated into the new system; however, users will need to take the following steps upon their initial login:

• Enter their username and password.
• Create a new password.*
• Agree to the new terms and conditions.
• Set up two-step authentication.

The update will also give users access to new features, such as the ability to retrieve a forgotten user ID, reset a password, and edit their profile.

Please refer to the Provider OnLine Authentication Guide for more information.

If you have any questions about this matter, please reach out to our Provider Services team at 1-800-937-0438.

*You may reuse your existing password if it meets the new security password requirements.

10/2024Share your thoughts on Provider Partner Update

We are always looking for ways to improve Provider Partner Update as a resource for you. Are you aware of the newsletter, and does it help you stay up to date on initiatives and programs?

By completing this brief survey, you can tell us what’s important to you in Provider Partner Update and how we can enhance your experience with it.

Your answers will be kept confidential and secure. You may stop taking the survey anytime, but only completed surveys will be recorded.

Take the survey »

10/2024UPMC Health Plan to reduce paper check frequency

On Sept. 1, 2024, UPMC Health Plan reduced the frequency at which we process paper checks and electronic funds transfers (EFTs) each month. Please note that UPMC Health Plan will continue to process clean claims within the timeliness standards that are outlined in the provider agreement.

In light of this change, we want to remind you that you can enroll in EFTs for claims payments. Using EFTs is a faster method of payment than paper checks.

For more information, please reference the Provider Manual.

10/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Atovaquone (Bionpharma – September)

Bionpharma Inc. is recalling one lot, lot 2310083, of Atovaquone Oral Suspension, 750 mg/mL. Atovaquone is used to prevent a fungal infection called pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in adults and adolescents age 13 and older.

This drug is being recalled because Cohnella bacteria was found in the product. Using this contaminated drug can cause life-threatening swelling of the heart and permanent damage to the body’s soft tissue.

To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received it or visit the FDA website below. If you have an affected lot of Atovaquone, you should stop using the product and return it to the place of purchase.

As of Sept. 17, there had been no reports of adverse events related to this recall.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Bionpharma at 1-888-235-2466. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

10/2024Voluntary market withdrawal: Oxbryta (Pfizer – October)

Pfizer Inc. is withdrawing Oxybryta from the market. Oxbryta is used for the treatment of sickle cell disease in adults and children 12 years old and older. Sickle cell disease affects the shape of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the body.

This drug is being withdrawn from the market because recent data show the benefit of taking Oxbryta does not outweigh the risks. In clinical trials, there was a larger number of patients with severe pain because of less blood flow.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been conducting a safety review of Oxybryta and will communicate any additional findings when the review is complete. The FDA encourages health care professionals and patients to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of Oxbryta.

There are other FDA-approved medications for the treatment of sickle cell disease. The FDA advises that you should contact your doctor or health care professional about stopping Oxbryta and starting another treatment option.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Visit the FDA website.

10/2024Mission of Mercy helps improve lives

Mission of Mercy continues to provide underserved populations with the services they need to improve their health and well-being.

Mission of Mercy thanks you for continuing to give back to your communities each day in your work. We hope you will consider joining Mission of Mercy as Mission Movers for the upcoming 2024 event occurring Nov. 1–2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

To learn more about this event and how to volunteer, visit mompgh.org/volunteer.

10/2024CMS implements prescription payment plan

Your Medicare patients with high drug costs may benefit from participating in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which will be available beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), all Medicare drug plans and Medicare health plans with drug coverage (such as Medicare Advantage plans) will be required to offer the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. This new program will allow plan members to make monthly payments toward their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs over the course of the plan year instead of paying all at once at a pharmacy. (For more information on the IRA, please visit the CMS webpage about the Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare.

The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan will be available starting on Jan. 1, 2025. Program participants will pay $0 at their pharmacy for covered Part D medications, and Part D plan sponsors will bill participants each month for any cost sharing they incur while in the program. Pharmacies will be paid in full by the Part D plan sponsor in accordance with Part D prompt payment requirements. For more information about the program, please visit the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan page.

Medicare plan members who are likely to benefit from this program will receive information about how to enroll this fall.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact your physician account executive or call Provider Services at 1-866-918-1595. As always, thank you for the excellent care you provide to our members.

10/2024Learn more about changes to the Quarterly Provider Attestation process starting in October 2024

New as of Oct. 1: Upcoming transition to CAQH

Effective Oct. 1, 2024, UPMC Health Plan will be using a new vendor for the Quarterly Attestation process form. All attestations must be through Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH). Please note this does not apply to Premier Partner offices.

As you know, UPMC Health Plan requires all providers to verify their provider directory information at least every 90 days (quarterly). This allows us to comply with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Human Services, and Pennsylvania Insurance Department requirements to maintain accurate directories, as well as the federal No Surprises Act (effective Jan. 1, 2022). Please be aware of the following points to help ensure a successful transition:

• CAQH registration and updates. If you’re already registered with CAQH, please continue to visit the CAQH Provider Data Portalcreate a CAQH profile. The CAQH Provider Data Portal will guide you through completing your information, managing your profile data and supporting documentation, and attesting your information.
• Information access. Search for your name in the online directory to view and update your information or use the online request form to make updates.
• Verification process. At the beginning of each quarter, CAQH will email you to verify that your provider information is accurate. It will make a follow-up phone call if necessary.

We are here for you!
If you have any questions, want help with your updates, or need to change your contact information, please contact your physician account executive or email providernetworkinquiries@upmc.edu.

10/2024Update to Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction reimbursement

We previously communicated to both contracted physicians and facilities that UPMC Health Plan will begin applying Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) on certain diagnostic imaging services for Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid lines of business, with contracts based on a percentage of Medicare APC or % billed charges excluded.

There are modifications to this change, as only professional claims will be affected. This implementation will not affect facility claims. Additionally, this application will not include Medicaid line of business claims as previously noted. If you have any questions, please contact your physician account executive or call Provider Services at 1-866-918-1595.

10/2024Use antibiotic stewardship to improve antibiotic prescribing in pharyngitis and respiratory issues

Improving antibiotic prescribing is a priority as antibiotics are still widely overprescribed for conditions where they are not indicated. Beginning or building an antibiotic stewardship program is an effective way to improve health outcomes and reduce costs related to antibiotic resistance. Providers can embrace antibiotic stewardship efforts using these and other best practices:

• Follow HEDIS® quality measures such as Appropriate Testing for Pharyngitis (CWP), Appropriate Treatment for Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), and Avoidance of Antibiotic Treatment for Bronchitis/Bronchiolitis (AAB).
• Adhere to clinical practice guidelines by prescribing antibiotics strictly in accordance with evidence-based national and local clinical practice guidelines, taking care to prescribe per population.
• Close knowledge gaps by reviewing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention antibiotic stewardship bundles for online training modules and tools and guidance by care setting, audience, and resource type.

Read Provider Partner Update (see page 19) for more tips to help strengthen antibiotic stewardship efforts and improve health outcomes.

HEDIS® The Healthcare Electiveness’ Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is a registered trademark of NCQA.

10/2024PA Department of Health Trainings for Clinicians and Non-Clinicians: Caring for People with Xylazine-Associated Wounds

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) and Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), in collaboration with the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CSFRE), are providing virtual trainings to clinicians and non-clinicians on best practices for caring for individuals with xylazine-associated wounds. These trainings are offered at no-cost to attendees.

These trainings will be offered in two separate two-hour sessions for individuals and organizations who work in Pennsylvania. The first live webinar on Oct. 23 will be for nonclinicians and the second live webinar on Nov. 6 will be for clinicians.

Click here to register for the CLINICAL training.

*This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Penn State College of Medicine and Center for Forensic Science, Research and Education. Penn State College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Click here to register for the NONCLINICAL training.

*Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) who complete this training may utilize credits to meet certification/re-certification training requirements. A training certificate will be provided to all attendees who complete the post-training assessment.

Please note: To register for a training you must create an account in CFSRE’s training platform.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

09/2024Earn the UPMC LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider designation!

The LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider designation makes it easy for members to find providers who have been trained to create a safe, welcoming patient-provider relationship for LGBTQIA+ patients and validate the LGBTQIA+ patient.

Eligibility
Providers must complete the appropriate learning modules and attestation and be listed in either the UPMC Health Plan Find Care provider directory or the UPMC Health Services Find a Doctor provider directory to earn the designation.

Earning

• Providers: Complete three learning modules and an attestation. Each learning module is approved for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. These credits also qualify for the patient safety or risk management requirement.
• Non-UPMC-employed providers: Access the learning modules and attestation on UPMC Health Plan's patient health resources page.
• UPMC-employed providers: Access the learning modules and attestation through HR Direct Learning by searching for “Affirmative Communication with LGBTQIA+ Patients & Members.”

Encouraging
Providers who earn this designation will receive the following items to let patients know that the provider has earned this important and supportive designation:

• LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider badge reel
• LGBTQIA+ Affirming Provider pin

09/2024Some COVID-19-related benefits will be extended through Dec. 31 with $0 cost share for UPMC for You members

As previously communicated, UPMC Health Plan will retire Appendix A – COVID-19 Special Coverage and Payment Policy for all lines of business on Sept. 30, 2024. However, UPMC Health Plan will extend the $0 cost share until Dec. 31 for the following services for UPMC for You members when the services are clinically indicated and consistent with generally accepted practice guidelines based on an individual assessment by the member’s attending provider:

• COVID-19 diagnostic lab testing
• Over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 testing¹
• Evaluation for a COVID-19 diagnosis
• Treatment for COVID-19-related diagnosis

COVID-19 vaccines (FDA-authorized agents) are covered with $0 member cost sharing for vaccine administration at all licensed providers and pharmacies. Note: When the government provides COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, providers should bill only for vaccine administration.

If you have any questions, please contact your physician account executive or call Provider Services at 1-866-918-1595.

¹For Medicaid: Coverage includes up to 8 FDA-authorized OTC rapid tests every 28 days per covered individual when the tests purchased directly from a retail store or retailer website through 12/31/24. When purchasing through a participating pharmacy, coverage is limited to 2 COVID-19 OTC tests per 7 days for up to 8 tests in a 28-day time period. Members are eligible to purchase rapid at-home OTC COVID-19 tests for $0 through participating pharmacies or submit for reimbursement after purchasing from retailers.

09/2024Voluntary medical device correction: FreeStyle Libre 3 (Abbott – August)

Abbott has announced a medical device correction for three lots of FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors, distributed in the United States during the first half of May 2024. The FreeStyle Libre 3 reader and app are not affected. FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors are used to monitor blood glucose levels as part of the FreeStyle Libre system. The FreeStyle Libre 3 system includes a sensor, reader and app. This medical device correction impacts the sensor only.

This product is being corrected because some of the sensors from these lots may give incorrect high glucose readings. This can lead to unexpected side effects of low glucose, such as sweating, dizziness, headache, tiredness, and rapid heartbeat. These can be signs of life-threatening low glucose. It can also lead to incorrect treatment decisions, such as taking insulin when not required.

The lot numbers that are part of this medical device correction are below:

• T60001948
• T60001966
• T60001969
If your device lot number is listed above, visit FreeStyleConfirm.com and enter your sensor serial number to determine if your sensor is affected by this medical device correction. Instructions for locating the serial number can also be found at FreeStyleConfirm.com.

If your sensor is affected, enter your contact information so Abbott can send you a replacement sensor at no charge.

If you have symptoms or think your glucose reading may be incorrect, you should complete a fingerstick test using any blood glucose meter. The built-in blood glucose meter in the FreeStyle Libre 3 reader may be used to check glucose at any time.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Abbott at 1-833-815-4273. TTY users should call 711. Help is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
• Visit the FDA website.

09/2024Using depression and suicide screenings and other resources can help save lives

Caring for your patients’ mental health needs is essential to their overall well-being. You can use these and other processes and resources to support their behavioral health needs.

• Implement the National Institute of Mental Health action steps for helping someone in emotional pain:
  1. Ask: Are you thinking about harming yourself?
  2. Keep them safe: Reduce access to lethal items or places.
  Be there: Listen carefully and acknowledge their feelings.
  3. Help them connect: Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
  4. Stay connected: Stay in touch after a crisis.


• Take free continuing medical education (CME) courses centered around suicide and depression to help you increase the depth and quality of care you provide:
  • Suicide and Depression in the Primary Care Office
  • Suicide Prevention and the 988 National Lifeline
  
  
  These activities are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in these activities.


• Know about other tools that can help you provide appropriate support:
  • Crisis hotlines, such as Trevor Lifeline 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQIA+ youth and Trans Lifeline24/7 crisis and peer support
  • Behavioral health resources, such as:
    • National Institute of Mental Health
    • Zero Suicide: Screen/Assess
    • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
    • American Academy of Pediatrics
    • Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
    • Ask Suicide-Screen Questions (ASQ) for ages 10-24
    • Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T)
    • Telephonic Psychiatric Consultation Service Program for PA Medical Assistance

09/2024September is National Recovery Month – Earn CME credits on a timely webinar series

September is National Recovery Month, and you are invited to watch a timely, CME-accredited webinar series on the topic. Michael Lynch, MD, FACMT, UPMC Health Plan Quality and Substance Use Disorder Services Medical Director; Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, leads this four-part series. Watch these recorded webinars to build your knowledge base:

• Part 1: Screening and initial intervention
  Learn about the physiology, stigma, and effects of substance use disorder, among other topics related to screening and intervention.
• Part 2: Alcohol use disorder management
  Learn about medication management and non-medication interventions, among other aspects of alcohol use disorder.
• Part 3: Opioid use disorder management (new)
  Learn about recommending medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and different MOUD options, among other aspects of opioid use disorder.
• Part 4: Overview of management and available resources
  Learn about continuum of care for a patient with a substance use disorder including available resources to assist non-addiction providers to meet the needs of these patients.

You may earn continuing medical education credits (CMEs) for completing each course.*

*Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

*This activity is approved for the following credit: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

09/2024Join us at Putting Care at the Center 2024

As your partner in care, we wanted to share information regarding the annual conference of the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs, Putting Care at the Center, which gathers healthcare and social service providers, policymakers, advocates, program leaders, payers, researchers, and more.

This year's event, co-hosted with UPMC Health Plan, takes place October 16-18 in Pittsburgh, PA. Attendees from across the nation will convene to share insights on best practice and their experiences related to improving care for people with complex health and social needs. There will be several presentations that highlight social determinants of health as well as behavioral factors. Register today!

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to outreach to your PAE or call Provider Services at 1-866-918-1595.

08/2024CME webinar: Heart Failure Success: Teaching the Teachers (recorded)

Please make time to review this on-demand, continuing medical education (CME)-accredited webinar on heart failure. During this presentation, Jennifer Kliner, CRNP:

• Defined the updated classifications and definitions of heart failure.*
• Reviewed guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) and practical components of initiating and maintaining GDMT.
• Outlined symptoms, side effects, and when a provider should be called.
• Detailed suggested lifestyle modifications, such as those for dietary and/or fluid restrictions and activity.

*Per the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guidelines for Management of Heart Failure

Presenter:
Jennifer Kliner, CRNP
Supervisor, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Advanced Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension Program; Regional Director, Heart Failure Medication Optimization Clinics; Program Coordinator, Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension

Watch now.

You may earn continuing medical education (CME) credits for attending this webinar. This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

This activity has been designated as and meets the Pennsylvania licensure requirement for Patient Safety-Risk Management Credit. It is the responsibility of the learner to maintain the educational presentation or conference agenda as evidence, if needed for audit purposes.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

08/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Clonazepam (Endo – July)

Endo USA Inc. has recalled one lot of Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP (C-IV) 0.25 mg. Clonazepam is used to treat panic disorder and certain seizures.

This product is being recalled because the cartons of some packs show the product strength as 0.125 mg, not 0.25 mg, due to an error at a third-party packager. The blister strips inside the product pack reflect the correct strength of 0.25 mg.

Using this drug at a higher dose than prescribed may cause sleepiness, dizziness, loss of muscle control, and confusion.

As of July 16, there had been no reports of adverse events related to this recall.

To learn more about this recall:

• Call Inmar Inc. at 1-877-890-0765. Help is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Visit the FDA website.

08/2024CME webinar: Heart Failure – Targeted Optimal Pharmacotherapy

Please join us for a live, CME-accredited webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. that will review targeted optimal pharmacotherapy in patients with heart failure.

At the end of this learning session, you will be able to:

• Describe the pathophysiology and the physiological effects of key medication classes for heart failure.
• Define the revisions in heart failure classification and guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) per the 2022 ACC/AHA/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure.
  • HFrEF (Quadruple therapy as the standard of care)
  • HFimpF
  • HFmrEF
  • HFpEF
• Identify the risk and management of heart failure in people with diabetes.
• Recognize the clinical benefits of GDMT for heart failure and the opportunities for improvement.
• Describe the UPMC Health Plan GDMT heart failure initiative and clinical outcomes.

Presenters:

• Nick DeGregorio, MD, MMM, FACP, AVP, Medicaid Services, UPMC Health Plan
• Melinda Morgan, PharmD, Manager, Clinical Pharmacy, UPMC Health Plan

Register now. This webinar will be recorded.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the health care team. The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.0 contact hour. The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Pharmacy Education activity is 1.0 contact hour. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

08/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Potassium (Bluepoint – June)

BluePoint Laboratories is recalling 21 batches of Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP (750 mg) 10 mEq K. Potassium Chloride is used for the treatment of low potassium.

This drug is being recalled because the product failed to dissolve in the body. This may cause high potassium levels, which can result in irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest.

As of the date of BluePoint’s recall announcement, June 25, 2024, there have been no reports of adverse events related to this recall. Consult your health care provider before you stop using this product. To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received the medication or visit the FDA website below.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Sedgwick at 1-855-695-8564. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

08/2024UPMC Health Plan achieves high ratings in provider satisfaction

In 2023, 96 percent of physician practice survey respondents indicated they would recommend UPMC Health Plan to other physician practices. In addition, respondents ranked UPMC Health Plan in the 95th percentile when comparing UPMC Health Plan to other Health Plans with whom they participate.

UPMC Health Plan contracts with Press Ganey, to measure provider satisfaction levels and to meet one or more NCQA Health Plan Accreditation Standards. Press Ganey incorporates a percentile ranking to allow health plans to compare performance to a cohort of similar health plans who initiate a provider satisfaction survey.

You may be a randomly selected provider invited to participate in the 2024 survey that will begin this month! The survey will ask for feedback on your experience with UPMC Health Plan. Watch for an invitation in the mail or via email later this month.

07/2024Important notice: Appendix A – COVID-19 Special Coverage Payment Policy will expire soon

As all Special Coverage and Payment Policies related to the COVID-19 public health emergency have expired or will expire effective Sept. 30, 2024, as indicated in Appendix A, UPMC Health Plan will retire Appendix A – COVID-19 Special Coverage and Payment Policy for all lines of business on Sept. 30, 2024. To review our policies and procedures manual, please visit upmchp.us/policiesandprocedures.

If you have any questions, please contact your physician account executive or call Provider Services at 1-866-918-1595.

07/2024CME webinar: Provider Diagnosis Documentation Improvement

Please join UPMC Health Plan’s Risk Adjustment/HCC Coding Education Program Director Marlana Tice for a live, continuing medical education (CME)-accredited webinar on Thursday, Sept. 26, from noon to 1 p.m., that will deliver an overview on provider diagnosis documentation improvement.

During this presentation, we will provide a comprehensive overview of official documentation and coding guidelines needed for proper reporting, focusing on:

• Gaining awareness that supporting diagnosis codes in the medical record also supports the level of medical decision making that in turns drives E&M code assignment.
• Reviewing common provider diagnosis documentation deficiencies in the E&M record.
• Demonstrating an understanding of official documentation and coding guidelines for proper ICD-10-CM code reporting.
• Building skills of best practice documentation to support ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.

Presenter: Marlana R. Tice, BA, CCS-P, CPC, CCS,
AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer,
Program Director, Risk Adjustment-HCC Coding Education, UPMC Health Plan

Register now. This webinar will be recorded.

Certified coders may earn 1.0 CEU from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

This activity has been designated as and meets the Pennsylvania licensure requirement for Patient Safety-Risk Management Credit. It is the responsibility of the learner to maintain the educational presentation or conference agenda as evidence, if needed for audit purposes.

You may earn continuing medical education (CME) credits for attending this webinar. This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

07/2024UPMC Health Plan achieves high ratings in provider satisfaction

In 2023, 96 percent of physician practice survey respondents indicated they would recommend UPMC Health Plan to other physician practices. In addition, respondents ranked UPMC Health Plan in the 95th percentile when comparing UPMC Health Plan to other Health Plans with whom they participate.

UPMC Health Plan contracts with Press Ganey, to measure provider satisfaction levels and to meet one or more NCQA Health Plan Accreditation Standards. Press Ganey incorporates a percentile ranking to allow health plans to compare performance to a cohort of similar health plans who initiate a provider satisfaction survey.

You may be invited to participate in the 2024 survey that will begin next month. The survey is provided to a random sampling of primary care network providers and will ask for feedback on your experience with UPMC Health Plan. Watch for an invitation in the mail or via email next month!

07/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Potassium (Glenmark – June)

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling 114 batches of Potassium Chloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP (750 mg) 10 mEq K. Potassium Chloride is used for the treatment of low potassium.

This drug is being recalled because the product failed to dissolve in the body. This may cause high potassium levels, which can result in irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest.

As of the date of Glenmark’s recall announcement, June 24, 2024, there have been no reports of adverse events related to this recall. Consult your health care provider before you stop using this product. To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received the medication or visit the FDA website below.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Inmar Rx Solutions at 1-877-883-9273. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

06/2024Provider OnLine migration

On June 13, 2024, UPMC’s Provider OnLine migration took place to update our user access security structure. If you are a user of Provider OnLine but had not logged on in the last 150 days before June 13, you may need to take a security step to re-register.

Your office OAA would have the necessary permissions to set up the user's access. If an OAA exists for the office, they can complete the access request for the user. To see if your Tax ID has an established OAA call web support at 1-800-937-0438.

If an OAA does not exist for an office, the OAA Application can be completed. Please contact web support at 1-800-937-0438 for further assistance.

06/2024Use eConsult services in Epic to support patients with substance use issues

Providers can now use the two addiction medicine eConsult services in Epic for support when patients present with substance use issues. The eConsults allow providers to communicate with general internal medicine and ob-gyn physician groups specializing in addiction to get recommendations.

To initiate a consultation in Epic for patients with a condition related to substance use, select from the following options:

• “Electronic Consult/Referral to Alcohol and Drug Treatment”
• “Addiction Medicine” or “Perinatal Addiction Medicine” for individuals who identify as female and who may have obstetrical or other reproductive health needs

Patients must give verbal, documented consent for this service and are not to be present during the consultation. The eConsult addiction medicine recommendations are documented in the electronic health record and are billable for requesting and responding providers.*

*Depending on the patient's health care provider, they may be charged cost-sharing depending on the terms of their plan.

05/2024Provider OnLine updates to services

In order to more efficiently serve our provider community, on April 15, 2024, Provider Services began issuing referrals to Provider OnLine to address the following matters:

• General claim status
• Eligibility information
  • Effective dates, demographic information, deductible information, out-of-pocket maximum
• Benefit information
• Authorization submission
• Authorization submission status
• Explanations of Payment
• Check information

If you have questions about this matter or need assistance with Provider OnLine, please contact our Web Support team at 1-800-937-0438. A variety of tutorial videos are available on Provider OnLine for your reference.

05/2024CME webinar: Addressing Adolescent Health Needs

Please join us for a live, CME-accredited webinar Wednesday, Aug. 14 from noon to 1 p.m. that will provide an overview on addressing adolescent health needs. This webinar is being offered as part of the UPMC Health Plan Pediatric Collaborative Call series.

During the presentation, expert speakers will define the following objectives:

• Gain knowledge about the importance of adolescent well-care, including immunizations and screenings
• Discover innovative strategies to enhance adolescent well-care
• Understand the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Adolescent Health Quality Metrics

Presenters:

• Loreta Matheo, MD, Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Program Director, Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
• Brian Jenssen, MD, MSHP, Researcher and Primary Care Pediatrician with the Division of General Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Debra Zeh, RN, BSN, Senior Director Quality Improvement, Provider Performance​, UPMC Health Plan​

Register now. This webinar will be recorded.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.0 contact hour. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

HEDIS® The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is a registered trademark of NCQA.

05/2024Sapropterin (Dr. Reddy's – April)

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. has recalled six lots of Sapropterin Dihydrochloride Powder for Oral Solution 100 mg. Sapropterin is used to reduce blood levels of a certain amino acid in people with a rare, inherited disorder called phenylketonuria.

This drug is being recalled because discolored powder was found in it during laboratory testing. It may decrease the effectiveness of the product.

As of April 23, 2024, there had been no reports of adverse events related to this recall.

To learn if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or the pharmacy where you received the medication, or visit the FDA website below.

Consumers who have Sapropterin Dihydrochloride Powder for Oral Solution 100 mg from a recalled lot should contact their doctor about next steps before stopping use of the product. Recalled medicine should be returned to the place of purchase.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Dr. Reddy's Laboratories at 1-866-733-3952. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

05/2024Important update: UPMC Health Plan 835 readmits

UPMC Health Plan has discovered an issue with some of the Electronic Remittance Advice (835) data that was sent to providers. The issue—which is related to a systems enhancement—exists only within the 835 data. No issues have been found on Explanations of Payment or Explanations of Benefits.

The enhancement was implemented on April 25, 2024. As such, 835s created on or after April 26 may have been impacted.

Please note that we are working on a change that should resolve the issue within the next week, and we hope to provide a count of the providers and claims that were impacted. In the meantime, we have rolled back the 835 enhancements so that all 835s created on or after May 7 at 3 p.m. are correct.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact your physician account executive or call Provider Services at 1-866-918-1595.

05/2024UPMC Health Plan uses Interqual® criteria sets for prior authorizations

UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage credentialed providers may use the UPMC Health Plan Self-Registration Transparency Tool for additional information.

05/2024UPMC Health Plan shines a light on mental health as part of Mental Health Awareness Month in May

This month, we are highlighting several educational opportunities featuring such topics as pediatric behavioral health conditions and suicide and depression screening and assessment. These trainings offer clinicians the opportunity to learn more about evidence-based practices and tools for encouraging patients to receive screening, assessment, treatment and/or referral, as well as ongoing care and monitoring for behavioral health conditions.

These free continuing medical education (CME)* courses centered around mental health aim to help you increase the depth and quality of care you provide:

• Suicide and Depression in the Primary Care Office
• Get information on the prevalence of depression, suicide, and suicidal thoughts. Learn about the importance of screening for depression and suicide within primary care (including an overview of screening tools), best practices for the treatment of depression (including prescribing practices for antidepressants), preferred pathways for primary care to treat and/or refer patients to best address their behavioral health needs, and behavioral health resources and tools provided by UPMC Health Plan.


• Perinatal Psychiatry: Updates for the OB-GYN in a Rapidly Evolving Field
• Learn about perinatal psychiatry and the impact that COVID-19 has had on maternal mental health, updates in pharmacological management of perinatal depression, and implementing awareness of health care disparities as it relates to perinatal psychiatry.


• Suicide Prevention and the National 988 Line
• Educate yourself on the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 24/7 mental health crisis support and prevention resources so you can increase awareness of the lifeline among patients, families, and communities.


• Pediatric Behavioral Health: Best Practices for Primary Care
• Enhance your knowledge of pediatric screening for behavioral health issues.

*Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

04/2024Enhanced claim editing effective July 1

At UPMC Health Plan, we value our relationships with our network providers and appreciate the excellent care you give to our members. As part of a world-class health care delivery system, we strive to improve our processes where applicable and promote and reflect efficient and current health care practices.

Beginning July 1, 2024, UPMC Health Plan will be implementing additional enhancements to expand claim editing programs that promote correct coding and billing practices. The claim edits will continue to reflect guidelines set forth by industry authorities. Our goal is to process claims consistently and in accordance with best practice standards.

These enhancements take into consideration UPMC Health Plan’s historical claims experience as well as industry-standard guidelines, including:

• AMA CPT coding guidelines.
• National and regional Medicare policies.
State Medicaid guidelines.

After the implementation, you may receive claim denials based on these enhanced comprehensive claim editing concepts on your Explanations of Payment or electronic remittances. Additional resources and supporting documentation will be provided over the next several months at upmchp.us/claimsediting for your reference.

As always, thank you for taking care of our members. If you have any questions, please reach out to your physician account executive or call Provider Services at 1-866-918-1595.

04/2024Updates to Utilization Management (UM) phone line hours

Effective Sunday, May 5, 2024, the UPMC Health Plan UM department staff and UM phone lines will no longer be available on Sundays. The UM department will be operating during the business days of Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

UPMC Health Plan’s secure websitel, Provider OnLine, will remain open for all level of care authorizations and notifications.

UM cases will be processed per line of business and level of care timeliness requirements, as outlined in UPMC Health Plan's Provider Handbook and Policies.

04/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Methocarbamol (Eugia – March)

Eugia US LLC is recalling one lot of Methocarbamol Injection, USP 1000 mg/10 mL (100 mg/mL). Methocarbamol is used for the relief of discomfort from acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions.

This drug is being recalled because white particles were found in one vial during a customer’s inspection. Using an injectable product that contains particulate matter may cause local irritation or swelling. It may also block blood vessels, leading to life-threatening blood clot events.

As of the date of Eugia’s recall announcement, March 28, 2024, there have been no reports of adverse events related to this recall. To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received the medication or visit the FDA website below.

If you have an affected lot of Methocarbamol, you should stop using the item and return it to the place of purchase.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Eugia US LLC at 866-850-2876, option 2. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

04/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Vancomycin (Amneal – March)

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC is recalling four lots of Vancomycin Hydrochloride for Oral Solution, USP, 250 mg/5 mL. Vancomycin is used for treatment of certain bacterial infections.

This drug is being recalled because some bottles may have been overfilled. This may cause a higher dose to be received and may increase adverse effects, such as kidney damage.

As of the date of Amneal’s recall announcement, March 27, 2024, there have been no reports of adverse events related to this recall. To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received the medication or visit the FDA website below.

If you have an affected lot of Vancomycin, you should stop using the item and return it to the place of purchase.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Amneal at 1-833-582-0812. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

04/2024Options to check member eligibility

If you are unsure about a member's insurance coverage, please use their PROMISe™ ID or Provider OnLine to confirm their eligibility. There are no eligibility dates on member ID cards. The date printed ona member ID card is not the member's date of eligibility; it is the card’s print date.

04/2024Notice: Submit your claims for ACA members

UPMC Health Plan would like to remind all network providers to submit all outstanding calendar year 2023 claims for ACA members no later than April 15, 2024. HHS requires all issuers to submit their calendar year claims to the EDGE server by April 30 every year in order to provide a more complete and accurate picture of each patient’s health status. Any claims adjudicated after the deadline are not included for EDGE data submission.

Claims can be submitted via the secure portal.

If you have any questions, please contact Provider Services or your physician account executive.

04/2024Self-servicing update

Beginning Monday, April 15, 2024, UPMC Health Plan participating providers who need a general claim status, member eligibility or benefit information, help creating or verifying on an authorization, assistance accessing an EOP, or to check information will be required to use our self-servicing options on our online portal at upmchealthplan.com/providers or our Interactive Voice Response system (IVR). If you have any questions, please contact the Provider Services Web Support Team at 1-800-937-0438.

03/2024CME webinar: Hepatitis C, B, and HIV: Screening and Management

Please join us for a live, continuing medical education (CME)-accredited webinar on Wednesday, May 1, from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview of hepatitis C, B, and HIV screening and management. During this presentation, our expert will:

• Review the prevalence, trends, and screening recommendations for hepatitis B, C, and HIV.
• Discuss recommended screening tests and the interpretation of the results.
• Review the management of hepatitis C and the role of primary care in its treatment.
• Discuss considerations with hepatitis C, B, and HIV coinfections.

Presenter:
Nicholas DeGregorio, MD, MMM, FACP​,
Associate Vice President, Medicaid Medical Services,​ UPMC Health Plan

Register now.

This webinar will be recorded.

This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

This activity has been designated as and meets the Pennsylvania licensure requirement for Patient Safety-Risk Management Credit. It is the responsibility of the learner to maintain the educational presentation or conference agenda as evidence, if needed for audit purposes.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

03/2024CME webinar: UPMC Health Plan Quality of Care Process (recorded)

Please make time to listen to this on-demand, continuing medical education (CME)-accredited webinar on UPMC Health Plan’s Quality of Care Process. Michael Lynch, MD, FACMT, discusses a range of learning objectives to educate viewers around this topic during the webinar.

This webinar will cover:

• Evidence related to patient safety events.
• Regulatory requirements guiding UPMC Health Plan Quality of Care (QOC) processes.
• QOC case referral and review procedures.
• Case examples.

Presenter:
Michael Lynch, MD, FACMT
Senior Medical Director, UPMC Health Plan Quality and Substance Use Disorder Services;
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Watch now

You may earn continuing medical education (CME) credits for attending this webinar. This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

This activity has been designated as and meets the Pennsylvania licensure requirement for Patient Safety-Risk Management Credit. It is the responsibility of the learner to maintain the educational presentation or conference agenda as evidence, if needed for audit purposes.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

03/2024What providers need to know about charging UPMC for Life Complete Care members cost sharing

The new year has brought important changes to UPMC for Life Complete Care (HMO D-SNP) grace periods. For providers, this affects their ability to charge some UPMC for Life Complete Care members cost sharing. Read this article in Provider Partner Update to learn about who providers can charge cost sharing, exceptions to the rule, and more.

03/2024Provider Documentation and Coding Educational CME webinar: Cancer Documentation and ICD-10-CM Coding

Please join UPMC Health Plan’s Risk Adjustment/HCC Coding Education Program Director Marlana Tice for a live, continuing medical education (CME)-accredited webinar on Thursday, May 16, from noon to 1 p.m., that will provide an overview on cancer documentation and ICD-10-CM Coding.

During this presentation, viewers will gain a comprehensive understanding of official documentation and coding guidelines needed for proper cancer reporting, focusing on:

• “History of” documentation.
• Definitions of active disease/treatment vs. monitoring for recurrence.
• Solid tumors vs. lymphoma vs. leukemia.
• Primary vs. secondary (metastatic).
• Documentation examples for proper ICD-10-CM code assignment.

Presenter: Marlana R. Tice, BA, CCS-P, CPC, CCS,
AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, Program Director,
Risk Adjustment-HCC Coding Education, UPMC Health Plan

Register now. This webinar will be recorded.

Certified coders may earn 1.0 CEU from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

This activity has been designated as and meets the Pennsylvania licensure requirement for Patient Safety-Risk Management Credit. It is the responsibility of the learner to maintain the educational presentation or conference agenda as evidence, if needed for audit purposes.

You may earn continuing medical education (CME) credits for attending this webinar. This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

03/2024Change Healthcare incident update

UPMC Health Plan is aware that operations at many of our valued provider partners have been impacted by an incident at Change Healthcare. We are committed to working collaboratively with providers to ensure continuity of business operations.

Please note that UPMC Health Plan is not experiencing any direct outages to core systems or functions at this time. Our prior authorization, eligibility status, claims processing, and claims payment processes are fully operational, and UPMC Health Plan’s provider portal, Provider OnLine, is fully functional and available. Providers can continue to submit claims, check eligibility and benefits, and request prior authorization through Provider OnLine without any disruptions. Additional information is available for reference.

02/2024CME webinar: Heart Failure and Success in Medication Optimization (recorded)

This recorded webinar will educate providers on:

• Updated classifications and definitions of heart failure per the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guidelines for Management of Heart Failure.
• Current guidelines for directed medical therapies.
• Practical components of initiating and uptitrating heart failure medications.
• Case studies from Medication Optimization Clinic.

Presenters:

• Gavin W Hickey, MD, Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Medical Director, VAD Program, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute; Program Director, UPMC Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant and Pulmonary Hypertension Fellowship Program
• Jennifer Kliner, CRNP, Supervisor, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Advanced Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension Program; Regional Director, Heart Failure Medication Optimization Clinics; Program Coordinator, Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension

Watch now

02/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Zenzedi (Azurity – January)

Azurity Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling one lot of Zenzedi tablets, USP 30 mg. Zenzedi is used for the treatment of narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This drug is being recalled because tablets of Carbinoxamine Maleate, an antihistamine drug, were found in a Zenzedi bottle during pharmacy dispensing. Patients who take carbinoxamine instead of Zenzedi® will experience undertreatment of their symptoms, which may result in functional impairment and an increased risk of accidents or injury. Administration of Carbinoxamine may cause adverse events which include, but are not limited to, drowsiness, sleepiness, central nervous system (CNS) depression, increased eye pressure, enlarged prostate urinary obstruction, and thyroid disorder.

As of the date of Azurity’s recall announcement, Jan. 24, 2024, there have been no reports of adverse events related to this recall. To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received the medication or visit the FDA website below.

If you have an affected lot of Zenzedi, you should stop using the item and return it to the place of purchase.

To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Inmar Intelligent at 1-877-804-2069. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

01/2024 CME webinar: Supporting Intimate Partner Violence Survivors and Their Children in Health Care Settings

Please join us for a live, CME-accredited webinar on Wednesday, March 20, from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview of how to support intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors and their children in health care settings.

During this presentation, our expert will:

• Review the prevalence of IPV and how it is impactful to caregivers and children.
• Discuss how to address IPV in health care settings through healing-centered approaches.
• Examine how to support IPV survivors, particularly through connection with local victim services agencies.

Presenter:
Maya I. Ragavan, MD, MPH, MS, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health, and Clinical and Translational Science Associate Vice Chair, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Research, Department of Pediatrics Associate Core Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute Community PARTners Core University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

Register now.

This webinar will be recorded.

This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

01/2024CME webinar: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Outpatient Settings

Please join us for a live, CME-accredited webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will provide an overview of antimicrobial stewardship in outpatient settings. During this presentation, experts will:

• Review core concepts of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship.
• Identify communication strategies to improve patient-provider discussions about antibiotics.
• Discuss antimicrobial stewardship initiatives at the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Presenters:
• Will Phillips, MPH, Associate Epidemiology Specialist, Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Division at the Pennsylvania Department of Health
• Mary E. Kelleher, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director Medicaid, UPMC Health Plan
Register now. This webinar will be recorded. This activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ANCC. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
Provider is responsible for verifying CME eligibility.

01/2024Voluntary nationwide recall: Sodium Bicarb and Atropine (Hospira – December)

Hospira Inc. is recalling several lots of 4.2% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP, 8.4% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP, and Atropine Sulfate Injection, USP. Sodium Bicarbonate is used for the treatment of metabolic acidosis (a buildup of acid in the body). Atropine Sulfate is used for temporary blockade of severe or life-threatening muscarinic effects (effects on certain nerves of the body).
These drugs are being recalled because particles of glass were found in the drug(s) during a routine inspection of samples. Administration of an injectable product that contains particulate matter may result in local irritation or swelling, blockage of blood vessels, or life-threatening blood clot events.
As of the date of Hospira’s recall announcement, Dec. 21, 2023, there have been no reports of adverse events related to this recall. To see if your medication was recalled, contact your doctor or pharmacy where you received the medication or visit the FDA website below. If you have an affected lot of Sodium Bicarbonate Injection or Atropine Sulfate Injection, you should stop using the item and return it to the place of purchase or discard it. To learn more about this recall, you can take one or more of the steps below.

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Call Sedgwick Inc. at 1-800-805-3093. TTY users should call 711. Help is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
• Visit the FDA website.

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