Provider News
Benefit Amount, Duration and Scope
Cook Children's Health Plan follows the benefit amount, duration and scope as set forth in the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual. As such, it’s the Provider's responsibility to verify that the code is a benefit of Texas Medicaid by utilizing the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual and the Medicaid Fee Schedule.
For services outside the benefit amount, duration and scope or out of network services would require prior authorization.
Helpful information and resources for our Providers.
- Behavior Health Residential Treatment Facilities (RTC)
- New Login Process Through TMHPs IAMOnline For Release Transition 1
- Texas HHSC 2026 PMP Prescriber Survey
- Aggregate LTSS Paid Claims
- New Login Process for Texas Medicaid Providers
- Health Care Transition
- REMINDER Updating CLIA Certifications in PEMS
- HHSC Currently Seeking Members for Three Advisory Committees
- TMPPM Update: Hospital Beds and Equipment
- Winter Weather Notification
- STAR and STAR Kids Member Utilization Education
- Behavioral Health Provider Survey on Continuity of Care
- Provider Update 123025 HCPCS Annual Update for January 2026
- Health Care Transition
- Updating CLIA Certifications in PEMS
- Provider Update 122225 Notice About Newborn Medicaid Coverage
- Provider Update 121125 Availity Claim Rejections
- CCHP Partnered with UpToDate
- Important Information Regarding All Imaging Studies Entered Under Epic Carelink
- COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
- TMHP Enrollment and Demographic Information Update
- EFT Payments May be Delayed 11/7/25
- Texas Medicaid Telemedicine, Teledentistry, Telehealth, and Home Telemonitoring Services Continue During Federal Shutdown
- Update to RSV Vaccine Age Restrictions
- Secure Provider Portal
- Itemized Bill over 1 Million
- Incorrect OB Test Code 0449U
- Sickle Cell Disease Gene Therapy
- Rural Emergency Hospital Provider Type
- Attendant Rate Increases, Rate Enhancement Changes Effective Sept. 1, 2025
- HHSC to Begin Collecting FMSA SFY 2024 Cost Survey
- Prior Authorizations Extended Due to 2025 Texas Flooding
- Rider 32 Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Provider Impacts
- House Bill 44 Discrimination Based on Immunization Status Prohibited
- Partnership with ProgenyHealth Go-Live November 3, 2025
- Medicaid Provider Enrollment Revalidation Reminder Outreach
- Lost or Irreparably Damaged DMEPOS During Central Texas Flooding (July 2025)
- HEDIS APP Provider Tip Sheet 2025
- Health Care Transition
- Flu Vaccinations Flyer
- STAR Kids VAS Respite and MDCP Respite Nursing Services
- Postpartum Coverage and Value Added Services (VAS)
- Postpartum Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Extension FAQs
- Rider 32 Provider Communication
- Reminder: Claims vs. Appeals Submissions
- Register for the March 27 Provider Enrollment Town Hall Meeting
- Notification for Itemized Bill
- Important Information Regarding All Imaging Studies Entered Under Epic Carelink
- Texas Medicaid Telemedicine, Teledentistry, Telehealth, and Home Telemonitoring Services Continue During Federal Shutdown
- Update to RSV Vaccine Age Restrictions
- Alternate Participating Hospital Reimbursement for Improving Quality Award Upcoming Payment
- Cook Children’s Health Plan Update 081325
- Rural Emergency Hospital Provider Type
- Partnership with ProgenyHealth Go-Live November 3, 2025
- In Lieu of Services (ILOS) Provider Education Update and Choice Form
- Alternate Participating Hospital Reimbursement for Improving Quality Award Upcoming Payment
- Coming Soon: PEMS to Be Updated to Allow Provider Credentialing
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) 90 Day Treatment Extension
- Response to Enfamil Gentlease, Enfamil A.R. and Enfamil Reguline Possible Shortages
- Co-pays for CHIP COVID-19 services will resume starting October 1, 2024
- Vaccine Services Procedure Code 90623 is Now Available Through TVFC Effective April 1, 2024
- Authorization Letter Update: Skilled Nursing Visit (SNV), Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center (PPECC), Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy 03/28/2024
- REMINDER: Provider Enrollment Revalidation Extensions to End on May 11,2023
- Educational Video and Infographics Now Available to Providers: Telemedicine and Telehealth Delivery of Behavioral Health Medicaid Benefits
- Reminder: Prior authorization update for oxygen services effective October 1 2022
- Changes related to appeals and fair hearings extended through May 11 2023
- Makena products no longer covered as of April 7 2023
- Co-pays for some CHIP services will resume starting May 12 2023
- HHSC policy flexibility for member state fair hearings ends on May 11 2023
- Child Psychiatry Access Network (CPAN)
- Response to formula shortage february 27 2023
- Important notice about behavioral health services
- HHSC applied behavioral analysis (aba) services for children and youth with autism flyer
- Changes related to appeals and fair hearings extended through april 2023
- CHIP copayment waiver extended through april 2023
- A HHSC policy flexibility for member appeals is ending march 31 2023
- Change to signature requirements for title xix (Medicaid) home health services
- Noninvasive prenatal screening effective october 1 2022
- Credentialing companies aperture and verisys merge
- Response to formula shortage september 14 2022
- Prior authorization update for oxygen services effective october 1 2022
- Lyons magnus voluntarily recalls 53 nutritional and beverage products due to the potential for microbial contamination
- Response to formula shortage august 8 2022
- Response to formula shortage june 21 2022
- Act early workshops presented by the texas pediatric society
- Response to formula shortage may 25 2022
- Prior authorization update for oxygen services effective june 1 2022
- External medical review (emr) provider training
- External medical review (emr) provider training video
- Ask the docs about prenatal oral health march 23 2022
- TMHP Enrollment and Demographic Information Update
- Alternate Participating Hospital Reimbursement for Improving Quality Award Upcoming Payment
- Rural Emergency Hospital Provider Type
- Alternate Participating Hospital Reimbursement for Improving Quality Award Upcoming Payment
- Provider Credentialing in PEMS Postponed
- Coming Soon: PEMS to Be Updated to Allow Provider Credentialing
- REMINDER: Provider Enrollment Revalidation Extensions to End on May 11,2023
- Educational Video and Infographics Now Available to Providers: Telemedicine and Telehealth Delivery of Behavioral Health Medicaid Benefits
- New Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) contracts
- Electronic visit verification contract awarded to accenture and hhaexchange
- HHSC reminds medicaid recipients to submit renewal packets
- Makena products no longer covered as of april 7 2023
- HHSC applied behavioral analysis (aba) services for children and youth with autism flyer
- Change to signature requirements for title xix (Medicaid) home health services
- DSHS oral health webinar september 28 2022
- Fraud prevention for personal care attendants
- Updated Instructions and Resubmission Guidelines for UB-04 CMS 1450 Paper Claims
- ARPA hcbs provider recruitment and retention payments
- American rescue plan act (arpa) home and community-based services (hcbs) provider retention payments
- Abbott's formula recall information for health care providers
- Continuous medicaid coverage during the public health emergency
- End of continuous medicaid coverage ambassador toolkit
- End of public health emergency provider information
- HHSC to request extension of evv cures act home health care services implementation to january 1 2024
- Early childhood texas website launched
- STAR kids ltss billing matrix updates
- External medical review (emr) provider training
- External medical review (emr) provider training video
- HHSC coronavirus (COVID-19) provider information
- Multiple Medicaid COVID-19 Flexibilities Extended Through January 31 2022
- HHSC coronavirus (COVID-19) provider information
- DSHS coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- THSteps checkups via remote delivery extended through December 2020
- Healthy Texas Women needs new providers
- Hurricane Laura information for Medicaid providers posted September 8 2020
- Medicaid and CHIP allocation deadline to apply for CARES Act extended to September 13 2020 posted September 2 2020
- Cures Act EVV: Prepare to submit CDS and SRO managed care EVV claims to TMHP posted August 17 2020
- Cures Act EVV: Prepare to submit CDS and SRO managed care EVV claims to TMHP posted August 7 2020
- Medicaid and CHIP allocation deadline to apply for CARES Act extended to August 28 2020 posted August 5 2020
- EVV guidance for FMSAs and Notice for Consumer Directed Services (CDS) Employers effective June 26 2020
- Provider survey pregnant and postpartum women screening and referral practices
- Deadline approaching for Medicaid and CHIP provider relief funding
- HHS extends deadline to apply for Medicaid and CHIP Provider Relief Fund to August 3 2020
- Multiple Medicaid COVID-19 flexibilities extended through October 23 2020 posted July 30 2020
- COVID-19 guidance for new and initial prior authorizations posted June 30 2020
- Multiple Medicaid COVID-19 flexibilities extended through July 31 2020
- Texas Health Steps checkup guidance extended through July 31 2020
- Texas Health Steps telemedicine guidance for providers: Answers to common questions posted June 16 2020
- Multliple Medicaid COVID-19 flexibilities extended through June 30 2020 posted May 29 2020
- Top 10 list of key COVID-19 flexibilities Medicaid and CHIP providers posted May 13 2020
- Texas Health Steps checkups guidance effective May 7 2020-May 31-2020 posted May 12 20200
- Waiver Extension for DME Certification and Receipt Form Posted May 7 2020
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Guidance for FMSA's and CDS posted May 1 2020
- Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension and Azithromycin drug shortages May 1 2020
- Claims for telephone audio only nutritional counseling services posted April 28 2020
- OIG announcement related to COVID-19 posted April 16 2020
- Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act April 9 2020 posted April 16 2020
- Texas Health Steps medical and dental checkups during COVID-19 posted April 1 2020
- HHS launches statewide COVID-19 mental health support line posted March 31 2020
- RHC reimbursement for telemedicine and telehealth services posted March 30 2020
- HHSC temporarily waives renewal requirements for Medicaid SNAP clients during COVID-19 crisis posted March 30 2020
- Client signature requirement waived on DME Certification and Receipt Form posted March 24 2020
- COVID-19 guidance for FFS Service Coordinators and Case Managers posted March 18 2020
- Claims for telephone audio only behavioral health services posted March 20 2020
- Claims for telephone audio only medical services posted March 20 2020
- Coronavirus testing procedure codes to become a benefit posted March 16 2020
- FQHC reimbursement for telemedicine (physician delivered) and telehealth (non-physician delivered) services posed March 2020
- HEALTH ALERT: recommendations for healthcare personnel evaluating patients for possible 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection posted February 11 2020
- Congenital Syphilis health advisory posted October 10 2019
- Public health notice about severe lung disease among persons who report vaping posted September 3 2019
- TMHP YouTube channel available for providers posted August 21 2019
- Managed Care Report Cards
- Providers to gain access to Medicaid client medical and dental health information through myAccount
- Updated limitation for Zika Virus testing effective July 1 2019
- Changes to the Sterilization Consent Form, instructions, and denial letter effective April 26 2019
- Tarrant service area CHIP Report Card
- Tarrant service area STAR Report Card for children
- SK Appendix III LTSS code and modifiers effective June 01 2019
- Update to benefit limitation for procedure codes 96160-96161 in the Clinics and Other Outpatient Facility Services Handbook
- Fetal testing procedure code 59025 updated effective January 1, 2019, for Family Planning Program
- MCO LTSS Quick Tips V7
- Gynecological, Obstetrics, and Family Planning Title XIX Services Handbook updated to clarify delivery modifier requirement
- Health Alert: Infant botulism and risk of honey pacifiers Nov. 16 2018
- Delayed implementation for required taxonomy code of rendering provider on professional claims submitted to MCO
- Reminder U3 modifier required on the Texas Health Steps Dental Mandatory Prior Authorization Request Form for general anesthesia
- Neonatal level of care designation required for hospital providers rendering neonatal inpatient services
- Reimbursement rate changes for Texas Medicaid therapy assistant services to become effective September 1 2018
- Rider 43-Rendering Therapy Provider National Provider Identifier (NPI): frequently asked questions
- Professional claims submitted to MCOs must include rendering provider taxonomy code, effective September 1 2018
2025
- 4th Quarter Network Newsletter 2025
- 4th Quarter EVV Newsletter 2025
- 4th Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2025
- 3rd Quarter Network Newsletter 2025
- 3rd Quarter EVV Newsletter 2025
- 3rd Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2025
- 2nd Quarter Network Newsletter 2025
- 2nd Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2025
- 2nd Quarter EVV Newsletter 2025
- 1st Quarter EVV Newsletter 2025
- 1st Quarter Network Newsletter 2025
- 1st Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2025
2024
- LTSS Newsletter 2024
- Annual Provider Newsletter May 2024
- Annual Behavioral Health Newsletter 2024
- 4th Quarter Network Newsletter 2024
- 4th Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2024
- 4th Quarter EVV Newsletter 2024
- 3rd Quarter Network Newsletter 2024
- 3rd Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2024
- 3rd Quarter EVV Newsletter 2024
- 2nd Quarter Network Newsletter 2024
- 2nd Quarter EVV Newsletter 2024
- 2nd Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2024
- 1st Quarter EVV Newsletter 2024
- 1st Quarter Network Newsletter 2024
- 1st Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2024
2023
- Annual Provider Newsletter May 2023
- Annual Behavioral Health Newsletter 2023
- 4th Quarter EVV Newsletter 2023
- 4th Quarter Network Newsletter 2023
- 4th Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2023
- 3rd Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2023
- 3rd Quarter Network Newsletter 2023
- 3rd Quarter EVV Newsletter 2023
- 2nd Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2023
- 2nd Quarter Network Newsletter 2023
- 2nd Quarter EVV Newsletter 2023
- 1st Quarter Network Newsletter 2023
- 1st Quarter Behavioral Health Newsletter 2023
- 1st Quarter EVV Newsletter 2023
2022
- LTSS Newsletter 2022
- Annual Provider Newsletter May 2022
- 4th Quarter Network Newsletter 2022
- 4th Quarter Behavioral Health 2022
- 2nd Quarter Population Health 2022
- 4th Quarter EVV 2022
- 3rd Quarter EVV 2022
- 3rd Quarter Network Newsletter 2022
- 3rd Quarter Behavioral Health 2022
- 2nd Quarter Behavioral Health 2022
- 2nd Quarter EVV 2022
- EVV March 2022
- 2nd Quarter 2022
- 1st Quarter 2022
- 1st Quarter Behavioral Health 2022
- Population Health March 2022
2021
- DME July 2021
- 4th Quarter 2021
- 3rd Quarter 2021
- 2nd Quarter 2021
- 1st Quarter 2021
- EVV December 2021
- EVV August 2021
- EVV June 2021
- EVV March 2021
- Behavioral Health October 2021
- Behavioral Health June 2021
- Behavioral Health February 2021
- Annual Newsletter May 2021
2020
- Winter 2020
- Spring 2020
- Summer 2020
- Fall 2020
- EVV March 2020
- EVV June 2020
- EVV December 2020
- Behavioral Health February 2020
- Behavioral Health May 2020
- Behavioral Health November 2020
2019
- Intensive outpatient program and partial hospitalization program prior authorizations
- Abbott Voluntary Recall for Powdered Formulas
- Diagnosis and procedure code validation
- Prior authorization guidelines for noninvasive prenatal screening
- 2021 annual provider prior authorization survey results
- Healthy texas women now offers postpartum services
- Inpatient prior authorization requirements September 17 2021
- Hurricane ida provider assistance faqs
- Home health care services required to use EVV by January 1 2023
- Important reminders for seating assessments
- New paper claim mailing address effective July 01 2021
- Non-emergency medical transportation services access2care flyer
- Non-emergency medical transportation access2care
- Prior authorization update for diapers effective May 1 2021
- Prior authorization update for oxygen services effective June 1 2021
- New Claim number sequence beginning April 1 2021
- Mental Health Targeted Case Management and Mental Health Rehabilitative Services Training Requirements
- Prior authorization extensions ending December 31 2020
- Update: 90 day authorization extension for existing prior authorizations November 24 2020
- 2020 pediatric brain health summit November 5-6 2020
- Prior authorization updates
- Dental anesthesia prior authorization requests September 12 2020
- Retrospective genetic laboratory testing June 12 2020
- Claims editing system effective September 1 2020
- STAR Kids check run to change effective February 24 2020
- Updated prior authorization update for diapers effective November 1 2019
- New provider services phone number CCHP effective November 1 2018
- Claim edits reminder
- Other health insurance process CCHP revised August 1 2018
- CAD drug reminder
- Wound care equipment and supply benefits to change for Texas Medicaid July 1 2018
- Secondary claim edits and important billing information
- Letter to our providers regarding TMPPM effective February 7 2018
In the event of an outage contact Provider Relations at 1-888-243-3312 or CCHPProviderRelations@cookchildrens.org.