Please be aware that the phone number for VIPS, the MMIS Inquiry System for Name Search and Check Amount, is being changed to 518-449-0400 on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at approximately 11:00 p.m. (The old number was 518-472-1550.)

Attention ePACES and eXchange Users

Please see two new buttons that appear under the green LOGIN ePACES button and the LOGIN eXchange button, respectively, on the emedny.org homepage. When used - each will bring you to SELF HELP where you will find Enrollment information for each function (ePACES or eXchange), as well as informative FAQs and a variety of other helpful materials.

Attention ePACES Users

The nine digit zip must be entered for those providers who are required to use NPI. The locator code should only be used by those providers who are not required to use NPI - atypical providers - as listed on the August Medicaid Update. The nine digit zip can be obtained by using the postal web site www.USPS.com and click on "find a zip code" in the upper left hand corner.

Please continue to check the emedny.org website regularly for further information on ePACES availability.

Attention Institutional Billing Providers

Effective August 21, 2008 claims on which the servicing provider ID is the same as the billing provider ID will be denied. The provider's remittance statement will identify these denied claims as Edit 1357 denials (Provider ID and Service Provider ID identical). Only claims containing a provider identifier that is different than the billing provider's ID will be paid.

Reminder: When completing the Attending (servicing) Provider identification on a claim, it is important to use the correct MMIS ID/NPI, or license number and profession code, of the actual individual servicing the patient.

Questions? Please contact CSC Provider Relations at (800) 343-9000.

The New York State Department of Health will be implementing the National Provider Identifier (NPI) system changes on September 1, 2008. If you are not eligible to receive a National Provider ID, then you can continue to enter your New York State Medicaid Provider ID and License Number.

Family Health Plus Pharmacy "Carved-Out" Announcement

Effective October 1, 2008, the pharmacy benefit for Family Health Plus enrollees will be “carved-out” of the managed care plan benefit package and will be administered by Medicaid fee-for-service program. Enrollees should continue to obtain their pharmacy benefits from their managed care plan up to October 1, 2008.

Enrollees will be issued a Medicaid Benefit Identification Card to obtain their pharmacy benefit at Medicaid enrolled pharmacies. Mailing of cards will begin on June 24, 2008. Please encourage enrollees to keep this card order to access prescription benefits beginning October 1, 2008.

Prescriptions for Family Health Plus enrollees will be subject to Medicaid’s Preferred Drug Program, Clinical Review Program, and the Mandatory Generic Drug Program. Prescribers may need to request prior authorization for coverage of some drugs by calling 1-877-309-9493. Prior authorization for enteral formulae can be found at http://www.emedny.org/ProviderManuals/DME/index.html under Policy Guidelines, or by calling 1-866-211-1736.