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Hypertension

Attention providers: Issues with HealthHelp prior authorizations

A MEDS Ed seminar

 

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This session of CareOregon Pharmacy’s MEDS Ed program for healthcare professionals focuses on treating hypertension, providing a multidisciplinary approach to effectively treating this complex disease state.

Content from Jose Rueda, from OHSU's Comprehensive Hypertension Center, reviews hypertension treatment trials and evidence-based guidelines, as well as causes of secondary hypertension.

Content from Pharmacist Christopher Blem from Legacy Health Systems, focuses on medications and how they work, as well as ways to improve adherence.

Content from Dietician Julia Hanfling from 3 Peaches Nutrition and Diabetes Coaching, explores who is at risk for hypertension, the role of sodium in high blood pressure, three main dietary recommendations, as well as the importance of lifestyle factors.


Hypertension: Relieving the Pressure - A MEDS Ed seminar
Recorded on June 22, 2017 at CareOregon, Portland, Ore.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Jose Rueda, MD
Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
Director Comprehensive Hypertension Clinic at OHSU

Chris Blem, PharmD., BCACP
Legacy Medical Group Emanuel

Julia Hanfling, RD, CDE
3 Peaches Nutrition & Diabetes Coaching

SLIDES

Hypertension: Relieving the Pressure” (PDF)

   


Provider updates

Sexually transmitted infection CPT code bundling policy change

Jul 1, 2026, 21:17 PM

CareOregon is implementing a new policy to bundle sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing CPT codes as part of the laboratory panel group to align with industry standard payer practices. This policy does not change how STI codes should be billed; it only impacts how claims are processed for payment.

Effective August 1, 2026, when two or more STI nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) laboratory CPT codes are submitted by the same provider for the same date of service for the same member, CareOregon will bundle those services into the comprehensive laboratory procedure code 87801. This change applies to CareOregon/Health Share CCO, Jackson Care Connect CCO, Columbia Pacific CCO, and CareOregon Advantage.

This policy applies to the following codes:

Single STI CPT codes

  • 87491 – IADNA Chlamydia trachomatis, amplified probe technique
  • 87591 – IADNA Neisseria gonorrhoeae, amplified probe technique
  • 87661 – IADNA Trichomonas vaginalis, amplified probe technique

Comprehensive CPT Code

  • 87801 – Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), multiple organisms; amplified probe(s) technique

This bundling logic is applied during claims adjudication for both professional and facility claims.

View the policy guide on our website: https://careoregon.org/docs/default-source/providers/provider-support/coding-quick-guides/sexually-transmitted-infection-testing-policy-coding-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=b00bd7d1_3

What is not changing?

This policy does not change how providers are required to bill. Providers should continue to bill for the applicable single STI CPT codes as they are rendered, and the comprehensive CPT code will be reimbursed. This applies regardless of the number of units billed, and modifiers will not override the bundling of codes.

There will not be retroactive adjustments for claims processed prior to the effective date of August 1, 2026.

If you have any questions or require additional clarification, please contact our customer service team (option 3 for provider):

  • CareOregon/Health Share of Oregon CCO: 503-416-4100 or 800-224-4840
  • Jackson Care Connect CCO: 541-500-0567 or 855-722-8208
  • Columbia Pacific CCO: 503-488-2822 or 855-722-8206
  • CareOregon Advantage: 503-416-4279