Provider Alerts

Optum will email Provider Alerts to announce important information, such as changes within the PBHS, Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announcements, and important regulatory guidance. Providers should register for Provider Alerts by sending an email to: marylandproviderrelations@optum.com. This subject line should read “Provider Alerts” and the provider’s email address should be in the body of the email.

Provider alerts are posted to this page on a regular basis and emailed to providers weekly on the Provider Bulletin. Time-sensitive alerts are emailed to providers as needed. 

• 8-5-22: Issues Impacting Participant Eligibility
• 8-3-22: Changes to Adult Initial and Concurrent PRP Clinical Request Forms
• 8-3-22: Provider Council Meeting - August 12, 2022
• 8-3-22: Incedo System Downtime - August 6, 2022
• 8-2-22: Availability of Historical 835s and PRAs in PaySpan

• 7-20-22: Incedo System Downtime- June 23, 2022
• 7-19-22: Estimated Payment Recoupment Process 
• 7-19-22: Service Disruption Impacting Postal Mail and Fax Transmissions (Revised 7-20-22)
• 7-7-22: Update Regarding the 277CA Transaction
• 7-7-22: Incedo System Scheduled Downtime - July 9, 2022
• 7-6-22: BHA/MedChi Webinar Series: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve: Finding Structure in Chaos: Enhancing Well-Being and Operational Sustainment for Healthcare Workers in COVID-19 and Beyond. 

• 6-29-22: Submitting Claims for HG 8-507 (Court Ordered Treatment) Services
• 6-29-22: July 4 Holiday Office Closure and Provider Payments
• 6-29-22: July Provider Council Meeting Invite
• 6-23-22: Incedo System Downtime: June 25
• 6-23-22: Update to the 277CA Transaction
• 6.22.22: The BHA MedChi Webinar Series: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 6.22.22: Summer 2022 Updates from Maryland Department of Health
• 6-16-22: Incedo System Downtime - June 18
• 6-15-22: Mental Health and Crisis Resources for Coping with Violence
• 6-15-22: Deputy Secretary Letter to Providers: June 2022
• 6-15-22 BHA Monthly Updates - June
• 6-13-22: Estimated Payment Forgiveness
• 6-13-22: New Fee Schedules for Behavioral Health and ABA Providers Effective July 1, 2022
• 6-09-22: Implementation of Required Edits in Optum's System
• 6-09-22: Claim Images Missing for Some Providers
• The BHA MedChi Webinar Series: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 6-02-22: June Provider Council Meeting Invite

• 5-26-22: Updated E&M Fee Schedules Effective July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
• 5-25-22: Memorial Day Holiday: Office Closure and Provider Payments
• 5-25-22: Incedo System Scheduled Downtime - May 28, 2022
• 5-25-22: The BHI MedChi Webinar Series: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 5-11-22: Incedo System Downtime - May 14
• 5-11-22: Mental Health Month Events
• 5-11-22: The BHA/MedChi Webinar Series presents: Enhancing Self-Care With Ethical Boundaries and Relationships in Health Care
• 5-11-22: Deputy Secretary Letter to Providers: May 2022
• 5-11-22: BHA Monthly Updates: May 2022
• 5-4-22: Incedo System Downtime Schedued for May 7, 2022

• 4.27.22: May Provider Council Meeting Invite
• 4.20.22: Transfer of State Negative Balances
• 4.20.22: Incedo System Downtime - April 23, 2022
• 4.20.22: The BHA/MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series presents: Healing from the Traumatic Stress Faced by Health Care Workers 
• 4.13.22: Management of Negative Balances Moving Forward
• 4.7.22: Update on Authorization Issues in the Incedo Provider Portal
• 4.6.22: Incedo System Downtime Scheduled for April 9, 2022
• 4.6.22: BHA's State Opioid Response (SOR) Newsletter, Spring 2022
• 4.6.22: Deputy Secretary Behavioral Health Monthly Updates: April
• 4.6.22: April BHA Letter from Dr. Aliya Jones

March 2022

• 03-31-22: Incedo Provider Portal: Authorization Issues Identified
• 03-30-22: Incedo System Downtime - April 2, 2022
• 03-30-22: April Provider Council Meeting Invite
• 03-24-22: Scheduled Incedo System Downtime - March 26, 2022
• 03-23-22: The BHA/MedChi Webinar Series 
• 03-16-22: Notice of Funding Availability - Contingency Management Initiative
• 03-16-22: Deputy Secretary Behavioral Health Monthly Updates: March
• 03-16-22: March BHA Letter from Dr. Aliya Jones
• 03-16-22: New Gambling Authorization Plans Effective March 21, 2022
• 03-09-22: New Fee Schedules for Behavioral Health Providers Effective January 1, 2022
• 03-09-22: The BHA/MedChi Webinar Series presents: Sleep Better by Dealing With Rumination
• 03-02-22: Problem Gambling Awareness Month and Screening Day

February 2022

• 02-24-22: Negative Balance Recoupment Reminder
• 02-24-22: Bed-Hold Process Guidance
• 02-24-22: Provider Council Meeting - March 11, 2022
• 02-23-22: MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series
• 02-18-22: Delivery of Claim Lifecycle Report
• 02-16-22: Incedo Provider Portal Scheduled Downtime - February 19
• 02-16-22: Be Brain Injury Informed: Free brain injury trainings are available for behavioral health professionals
• 02-09-22: February BHA Letter from Dr. Aliya Jones
• 02-09-22: Deputy Secretary Behavioral Health Monthly Updates: February
• 02-09-22: Increasing Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Service Recipients within the PBHS: Lessons from Lower Shore Clinics
• 02-04-22: Negative Balance Recoupment: Letters to Providers
• 02-02-22: BHA/MedChi Webinar Series
• 02-02-22: Update: Backdating Exception Authorization Request(s)

January 2022

• 01-27-22: Program Quality Self-Assessment Tools
• 01-27-22: February Provider Training Calendar
• 01-27-22: February Provider Council Meeting Invite 
• 01-26-22: Incedo System Downtime - January 29, 2022
• 01-26-22: BHA Notice of Funding Announcement
• 01-19-22: BHA Deputy Secretary Letter on Covid Recommendations for Providers 
• 01-19-22: Inclusion of CARC Codes on PRA Claim Line Level 
• 01-12-22: Reminder to Complete Negative Balance and Claim Lifecycle Report Survey
• 01-12-22: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Office Closure
• 01-07-22: State Negative Balances Due to Retro-Eligibility Re-Processing
• 01-05-22: Authorization Requests for Bed-Holds for Mental Health Residential Crisis or Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation
• 01-05-22: Incedo System Downtime - January 8, 2022
• 01-05-22: January Provider Council Meeting Invite

• 12-29-21: January 2022 Provider Training Calendar
• 12-23-21: Changes to IMD Inpatient Admissions
• 12-22-21: Temporary Telehealth for PRP and SUD Residential Providers
• 12-22-21: December 2021 BHA Letter from Deputy Secretary
• 12-22-21: BHA December Updates
• 12-20-21: PRP Clinical Service Form Update
• 12-17-21: Updated Guidance re: Payable Provider Types and Services in the ER (CORRECTION to November 10, 2021 provider alert)
• 12-17-21: Temporary Measures to Facilitate Authorizations
• 12-15-21: Provider Update: WebEVS Now Available
• 12-15-21: Christmas and New Year Holiday: Optum Maryland Office Hours
• 12-15-21: Incedo Provider Portal System Downtime - December 18, 2021
• 12-13-21: Further Details on Recoupment of Retro-Eligibility and Overpayments 
• 12-10-21: Maryland Department of Health’s Information Technology Security Incident
• 12-10-21: Medicaid Message to Providers Regarding Security Incident
• 12-1-21: December 2021 Provider Training Calendar

• 11-24-21: Gambling Discharge Process
• 11-24-21: Maryland Assessment of Tobacco Use, Screening, and Treatment Policies and Practices among Behavioral Health Clients
  
• 11-24-21: Revisions to ICD-10 Diagnosis Lists
• 11-24-21: Provider Council Meeting: December 10, 2021
• 11-17-21: Incedo Provider Portal: Remaining Authorization Units Functionality 
• 11-17-21: Update on Recoupment Sequence for Providers
• 11-17-21: ARPA PBHS Rate Increases
• 11-17-21: Thanksgiving Holiday Office Closure and Provider Payments
• 11-10-21: BHA November Updates
• 11-10-21: November 2021 BHA Letter from Deputy Secretary
• 11-10-21: November 2021 Updates from BHA
• 11-10-21: Provider 1099 Tax Forms
• 11-10-21: Emergency Room Billing Requirements
• 11-03-21: Increasing Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Service Recipients within the PBHS: Lessons from Howard and Frederick Counties
• 11-03-21: COVID Best Practices and Resources
• 11-03-21: Upcoming Holidays - Provider Payments
• 11-03-21: November 2021 Provider Training Calendar Now Available
• 11-02-21: New Fee Schedules for Behavioral Health and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Providers - Effective November 1, 2021

• 10-27-21: BHA MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 10-27-21: Incedo System Downtime
• 10-27-21: New Functionality: Automated Updating of Expiring Licenses
• 10-27-21: Provider Council Meeting - November 12, 2021
• 10-19-21: Seeking Stakeholder Input: American Rescue Plan Act and Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (Updated 10-21-21)
• 10-14-21: New Federal Funding Opportunity for Providers
• 10-12-21: BHA/MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 10-12-21: Provider Training: Utilizing Client-Level COVID-19 Vaccine Status Data Files 
• 10-7-21: Scheduled Incedo System Downtime - October 9, 2021
• 10-7-21: Behavioral Health Administration COVID-19 Survey
• 10-7-21: COVID-19 Survey Letter from Dr. Aliya Jones
• 10-5-21: Funding Opportunity, Racial Disparities Task Force
• 10-5-21: HRSA BH Announcements September 2021 
• 10-5-21: BHA Racial Disparities Letter

• 09-30-21: Quality Measurement Survey
• 09-30-21: October 2021 Provider Training Calendar
• 09-29-21: Update to Clinical Request Forms
• 09-29-21: Release of Negative Balance 835s and PRAs
• 09-27-21: Provider Council Meeting - October 8, 2021
• 09-27-21: BHA Provider Vaccine Administration Information Form
• 09-23-21: Scheduled Incedo System Downtime: September 25, 2021
• 09-23-21: Timely Filing Waiver for Claim Submissions
• 09-23-21: Reminder: How to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Rates
• 09-23-21: New Webinar on Increasing Vaccine Outreach, COVID Resources
• 09-23-21: October 15 COVID Webinar - Lessons from Montgomery County
• 09-20-21: Updates Regarding Provider PRAs and 835s for Negative Balances
• 09-15-21: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program Turnaround Time
• 09-15-21: Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program Services (PRP-A, PRP-M) Service Site and Telehealth
• 09-14-21: Deputy Secretary Letter, COVID Funding and More
• 09-14-21: World Suicide Prevention Day
• 09-14-21: September Updates from BHA
• 09-14-21: September 2021 BHA Letter from Deputy Secretary
• 09-10-21: Changes to CARC (Change Adjustment Reason Codes)
• 09-10-21: Congregate Living and Residential Substance Use Treatment Programs 
• 09-09-21: Resource Shared Amount (RSA) Column Added to PRA
• 09-07-21: BHA_MedChi BH Webinar Series 
• 09-07-21: COVID-19 Webinar_Lessons from Baltimore City Providers
• 09-02-21: Incedo Provider Portal (IPP) Webinar: Utilizing Client-Level COVID-19 Vaccine Status Data Files 
• 09-01-21: UPDATE: Public Comment on Involuntary Commitment Workgroup Report
• 09-01-21: Medicaid Resuming Provider License Expiration Suspensions on September 30, 2021
• 09-01-21: Optum Maryland Office Closure – Labor Day
• 09-01-21: September 2021 Provider Training Calendar

• 08-31-21: Public Comment on Involuntary Commitment Workgroup Report
• 08-27-21: Scheduled System Downtime August 28, 2021
• 08-27-21: September Provider Council Meeting
• 08-20-21: UPDATE: PRAs and 835s for H2016 Claims
• 08-20-21: August 2021 BHA Letter from Deputy Secretary 
• 08-20-21: BHA Updates
• 08-20-21: Increasing Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Service Recipients Within the PBHS
• 08-20-21: COVID-19 Update Webinar
• 08-13-21: Scheduled Incedo System Downtime
• 08-13-21: Client-Level COVID-19 Vaccine Status Data Files
• 08-06-21: Resumption of Licensing Activities
• 08-06-21: COVID Resources and Webinars
• 08-06-21: COVID Webinar - Lessons from Montgomery County
• 08-05-21: Reminder of Payable Provider Types and Services in the ER
• 08-05-21: August 2021 Provider Training Calendar
• 08-04-21: Changes to Submitting Authorization Correction Requests
• 08-04-21: Updated Guidance for PRP/RRP Referrals or Documentation of Clinical Collaboration
• 08-03-21: Summer 2021 General Provider Updates

• 07-30-21: Incedo Provider Portal: Update Scheduled
• 07-30-21: Covid Resources and Webinars
• 07-30-21: CovidCONNECT Webinar Series
• 07-30-21: August Provider Council Meeting
• 07-30-21: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 07-30-21: From the Lab to the Clinic: Insights into Depression and Future Treatments
• 07-30-21: The Light at the End of the Tunnel: Loss, Grieving, and Recovery Through the Pandemic of 2020
• 07-28-21: All SUD Residential Treatment Providers: Administrative Days
• 07-24-21: Payspan Portal Maintenance
• 07-21-21:  UPDATE: How to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Rates 
• 07-16-21: Telehealth Updates - Correction
• 07-16-21: BHA Telehealth Post Emergency - Revised July 16, 2021
• 07-16-21: Medicaid Provider Guidance: COVID-19 Secretary's Orders - Revised July 16, 2021
• 07-15-21: Summer 2021 General Provider Updates
• 07-13-21: Letter from the Deputy Secretary and Telehealth Updates
• 07-13-21: BHA Telehealth Post Emergency Guidance 
• 07-13-21: June-July 2021 BHA Letter from Deputy Secretary
• 07-13-21: June-July Updates from BHA
• 07-13-21: Medicaid Provider Guidance: COVID-19 Secretary's Orders Changes Effective 08.15.21
• 07-09-21: Incedo Provider Portal: Update Scheduled
• 07-09-21: COVID-19 Resources and Webinars
• 07-08-21: Updates to Supported Employment Forms
• 07-08-21: Temporary Suspension of Pre-Authorizations for RRP Transitional Visits – Code T1023
• 07-07-21: Accessing Appropriate Authorization Plans by Provider Type
• 07-02-21: Authorization Waiver for Professional Services billed with Residential Crisis Service
• 07-02-21: CovidCONNECT Webinar Series
• 07-01-21: Optum Maryland Office Closure – Independence Day

• 06-28-21: July 2021 Provider Training Calendar
• 06-24-21: July 2021 Provider Council Meeting
• 06-18-21: COVID-19 Webinar Cancellation
• 06-15-21: Providing Tenancy Supports for People with Disabilities
• 06-15-21: Tenant Contractor Solicitation - Providing Tenancy Supports for People with Disabilities - ISSUE DATE: May 18, 2021
• 06-11-21: Entry of Diagnosis Codes on the CMS 1500: Fix to be Implemented
• 06-11-21: COVID-19 Resources and Support 
• 06-11-21: CovidCONNECT Support Groups
• 06-09-21: Residential Eating Disorder Program for Adults and/or Adolescents
• 06-08-21: Entry of Diagnosis Codes on Claims Using the CMS 1500 – Follow-Up
• 06-07-21: Entry of Diagnosis Code on Claims Using the CMS 1500
• 06-07-21: PRA Claim Lines
• 06-04-21: June 2021 Provider Training Calendar
• 06-04-21: COVID-19 Webinars and Support 
• 06-04-21: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 06-04-21: Updated Fee Schedules for E&M Codes
• 06-02-21: Maryland Health Homes Program

• 05-28-21: Provider Council Meeting - June 2021
• 05-28-21: Incedo Provider Portal - Update Scheduled
• 05-27-21: COVID-19 Webinars - Today
• 05-26-21: Correction: How to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Rates
• 05-26-21: BHA MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series
• 05-25-21: How to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Rates
• 05-24-21: Optum Maryland Office Closure -- Memorial Day Holiday
• 05-21-21: Assisted Reconciliation Report 5 (Denial Report)
• 05-21-21: COVID-19 Webinars
• 05-17-21: Maryland Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program Survey
• 05-17-21: Staggering of PRP Authorizations
• 05-14-21: Claims Rejection Reports
• 05-11-21: May BHA Letter from Deputy Secretary 
• 05-11-21: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 05-11-21: PRAs and 835s for Approved H2016 Claims
• 05-07-21: Delivery of Assisted Reconciliation Report 5
• 05-07-21: 277CA Transaction - Upcoming Webinar and Resources
• 05-05-21: COVID-19 Webinars and Letter from BHA Medical Director
• 05-05-21: Letter from BHA Medical Director
• 05-05-21: CovidCONNECT Webinar Series
• 05-04-21: Authorization for Admission to Inpatient IMDs of Adults 22-64 Years of Age
• 05-03-21: May 2021 Provider Training Calendar

• 04-30-21: Incedo Provider Portal - Authorization Entry Issue Resolved
• 04-30-21: COVID-19 New Funding Opportunity
• 04-28-21: Child, Adolescent & Transition Age Youth (TAY) PRPs & School Systems 
• 04-28-21: May Provider Council Meeting
• 04-26-21: Entering Backdated Authorizations
• 04-26-21: Funding Availability from SAMHSA Community Mental Health Centers Grant Program - AMENDED AFFIDAVIT
• 04-22-21: Authorization Process for Participants Changing Treatment Locations
• 04-20-21: Update to Administrative Denial Checklist for PRP and RRP 
• 04-20-21: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 04-16-21: Funding Availability from SAMHSA Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) Grant Program
• 04-14-21: Retro-Eligibility Solutioning: Adjustment to Checkwrite
• 04-14-21: Training for PRP Providers
• 04-13-21: Update on Retro-Eligibility
• 04-13-21: OTPs and Congregate Living Facilities Including RRPs Reporting Positive COVID-19 Test Results
• 04-13-21: COVID-19 New Webinars and Resources
• 04-09-21: Incedo Provider Portal Accessibility
• 04-06-21: COVID-19 Resources and Webinars
• 04-06-21: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 04-02-21: Incedo Provider Portal – Scheduled Update
• 04-01-21: April 2021 Provider Training Calendar
• 04-01-21: 277CA Transaction Availability

• 03-30-21: COVID-19 Webinars
• 03-26-21: April Provider Council Meeting
• 03-23-21: Helping the Helpers and Those They Serve
• 03-19-21: All SUD-IOP Providers: Updates to Initial Authorization Process
• 03-16-21: COVID-19 Financial Survey and New Webinar
• 03-16-21: Addressing the Vaccine Hesitancy 
• 03-10-21: Training for PRP Providers
• 03-10-21: Adding Codes Omitted from Authorization Requests
• 03-10-21: All SUD-IOP Providers: Updates to Authorization Parameters - RETRACTED
• 03-09-21: PRP-Adult Authorization Requests with SSI/SSDI Eligibility Verification
• 03-09-21: COVID-19 Resources and Webinars
• 03-09-21: BHA Clinical Letter: Help the Helpers
• 03-09-21: March BHA Letter from the Deputy Secretary
• 03-05-21: Retroactive Eligibility Functionality
• 03-04-21: March 2021 Provider Training Calendar
• 03-01-21: Updates to Medical Necessity Criteria for PRP-M
• 03-01-21: March Provider Council Meeting
• 03-01-21: March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month 

• 02-26-21: Call Center Now Able to Receive Calls
• 02-26-21: Submitting Uninsured Requests
• 02-25-21: Delivery of Assisted Reconciliation Report 4
• 02-24-21: Reminder to Complete Release of Information for MCOs
• 02-24-21: COVID-19 Resources and Webinars 
• 02-24-21: BHA/MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series
• 02-24-21: Maryland COVID-19 Crisis Support Program
• 02-12-21: Incedo Provider Portal: Update Scheduled
• 02-11-21: Check-write: Week of February 15
• 02-09-21: February BHA Letter from the Deputy Secretary
• 02-09-21: BHA/MedChi Behavioral Health Webinar Series
• 02-02-21: BH Provider Recommendations from BHA Deputy Secretary Dr. Aliya Jones 

• 01-28-21: Delivery of Assisted Reconciliation Report 3
• 01-27-21: February 2021 Provider Council Meeting 
• 01-27-21: February 2021 Provider Training Calendar
• 01-26-21: Fee Schedules Now Live in the Incedo Provider Portal
• 01-26-21: COVID-19: Third BHA Provider Survey
• 01-18-21: Maryland Department of Health Bulletin
• 01-18-21: Vaccination Letter from Dr. Jones
• 01-15-21: Incedo Provider Portal: Update Scheduled
• 01-14-21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Holiday Hours
• 01-12-21: COVID-19 Resources and Webinars
• 01-12-21: January 2021 BHA Letter from the Deputy Secretary
• 01-07-21: PRP Providers: Updates to PRP Forms
• 01-06-21: COVID-19 Resources and Webinars
• 01-06-21: 1915(i) Authorization Requests

Provider Alerts from 2020 can be found on the Alert Archive page. 

Disclaimer: Although the data contained on this page originates from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of the information. This page provides this information on an "as is" basis. Information contained within these documents may be outdated and should not be relied upon.