MedicaidDocumentationMedium impact
Newsletter Vol. 11, No. 34
New Jersey Medicaid·NJ · Endocrinology, Geriatrics, General Practice +1 more·Provider Notice
Effective date
May 1, 2001
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
New Jersey Medicaid program requires retrospective monitoring and provider notification when patients are concurrently prescribed bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate) and acid-related drugs (ARDs). Prescribers will receive educational outreach letters, and pharmacies will receive point-of-sale alerts (Error Code 870) to address potential improper bisphosphonate administration leading to unnecessary GI complications. This is a clinical monitoring alert, not a coverage denial.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing and pharmacy teams must configure systems to flag and track Error Code 870 responses for patients concurrently receiving bisphosphonates and ARDs on NJ Medicaid (FFS, NJ FamilyCare FFS, PAAD, Cystic Fibrosis, and ADDP programs). Clinical staff should expect educational outreach letters from First Health Services regarding bisphosphonate dosing and GI side effects. Providers receiving letters should complete and return the questionnaire to First Health Services (Fax: 1-877-480-1539). Ensure pharmacy staff monitor for concurrent use of prescription ARDs (cimetidine, famotidine, lansoprazole, nizatidine, omeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, ranitidine, sucralfate) with bisphosphonates and counsel patients on proper administration per attached instructions. This is an informational/educational intervention—do not deny or delay claims based on this alert.