What Providers Need to Know - Archived Updates
March 30, 2022
OnBoard: Limited Release Updates
Phase One of OnBoard: Limited Release (OBLR) is now live, with thousands of medication prior authorization requests and requests for decisions on unpaid medical bills now flowing through the system on a daily basis. Read more about the key processes now available to health care providers online.
The Board held a OBLR Q&A webinar for health care providers on March 15. You can access the recorded video or slides via the resources section of the Providers OnBoard webpage.
Phase Two of OnBoard: Limited Release, in which the prior authorization request process for durable medical equipment (DME) will run through the new system and the Board's new DME fee schedule takes effect, is scheduled to launch on April 4. The Board held a training session for OBLR Phase Two on March 25. If you missed the live session, you can view the recording on resources section of the Providers OnBoard webpage.
The Chair has announced that three Request for Assistance/Further Action (RFA) forms will be changing to align with the implementation of the third phase of OnBoard: Limited Release. You can read more in Subject Number 046-1503.
Be sure you are up to date with all the latest regarding OnBoard. Visit the OnBoard section of the Board's website for FAQs, details about OnBoard: Limited Release, and sign up to receive notifications.
New Resources on COVID-19 and Workers' Compensation
In February, the Board began hosting a new series of webinars to aid workers with long-haul COVID-19 workers' compensation claims. You can view the slides and the recorded webinar. Visit the Board's COVID-19 web page for additional resources, including downloadable fact sheets you can share with patients as well as information on our upcoming COVID-19 webinar.
Additional webinar dates will be added soon!
New Medical Treatment Guidelines
The Chair has adopted amendments to 12 NYCRR 324.2, incorporating three new New York Medical Treatment Guidelines. More details can be found in Subject Number 046-1502.
Telehealth Update
The Chair proposed the Revised addition of subdivision (g) to section 324.2 of Title 12 NYCRR to provide the option for telehealth visits in some circumstances. The Chair also proposed the addition of section 329-1.4 of Title 12 NYCRR to define Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IOM) and to clarify that remote IOM is prohibited, except in very limited circumstances. You can read more in Subject Number 046-1504.
Drug Formulary Update
The Chair has adopted consensus amendments to 12 NYCRR 441.2 to make technical and clarifying changes to the New York Workers' Compensation Formulary. More details can be found in Subject Number 046-1498.
Important Updates Regarding CMS-1500, Including Forms C-8.1 and C-8.4, and CMS-1500
The Board has made a number of important updates regarding the Notice of Treatment Issue/Disputed Bill (Form C-8.1) and Notice to Health Care Provider and Injured Worker of a Carrier's Refusal to Pay All (or a Portion of) a Medical Bill Due to Valuation Objection(s) (Form C-8.4). These updates include an immediate change to the reporting of Social Security numbers, as well as revisions to the forms, as part of the Board's transition to the CMS-1500 form. More details can be found in Subject Number 046-1362R2.
You can also email your questions to CMS1500@wcb.ny.gov.
DME Fee Schedule Update
The Chair proposed amendments to sections 441.1 and 442.2 of Title 12 NYCRR to update the Official New York Workers' Compensation Durable Medical Equipment Fee Schedule and add language about annual updates. You can read more in Subject Number 046-1492. As mentioned above, the new DME fee schedule takes effect with Phase Two of OnBoard: Limited Release.
Stay Informed!
Check out the Board's Health Care Providers Recorded Webinars web page for past webinars. To receive notifications from the Board straight to your inbox, subscribe for Board updates.