September 2025 Provider Pulse

VA Introducing New Digital Scheduling System for CCN Providers

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently rolling out the External Provider Scheduling (EPS) system, a digital platform designed to improve and simplify the appointment process for providers caring for Veterans under the Community Care Network (CCN).

EPS can help you streamline scheduling by using automated scheduling grids, reducing the time spent waiting for authorization numbers and eliminating additional phone calls, all at zero cost. EPS provides referral authorization numbers at the time of booking so you can save time on office work.

Security settings only allow VA access to your availability in your scheduling system, ensuring no electronic health record information is shared. Your data remains exclusively yours.

Benefits to Your Organization

• Save time for your staff.
• Maintain your current system and workflows.
• No fees.
• Immediate referral authorizations.

Benefits for Veterans

• Reduced appointment wait times.
• More timely access to care.
• Enhanced appointment accuracy.

With faster scheduling and real-time authorization numbers, providers can focus on delivering quality care to Veterans.

For more information on EPS email EPSProviderEngagementTeam@va.gov.

Reminder: Proper Use of the JW Modifier

TriWest follows Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines for the JW modifier, which indicates the amount of a drug discarded from a single-use container and not administered to a patient. Please be reminded that providers must report the JW modifier on all drugs and biologicals claims separately payable under Medicare Part B. Providers and suppliers must also document the number of discarded drugs in patient medical records.

CMS requires providers to report the JZ modifier on all claims that bill for drugs from single-dose containers that are separately payable when there are no discarded amounts.

Billing Guidelines when Submitting JW and JZ Modifiers

The following serves to clarify billing guidelines and provide examples of proper billing with a single-dose vial and discarded drug billing:

• CMS requires the JZ modifier on all claims for single-dose containers where there are no discarded amounts.
• When submitting claims, units of service (UOS) should be reported in multiples of the dosage included in the long HCPCS code descriptor.
• If the provider must discard the remainder of a single-use vial or other package after administering the prescribed dosage of any given drug, the amount of the drug discarded along with the amount administered may be covered.
• Clearly document in the patient’s medical record the actual dose administered in addition to the exact amount wasted and the total amount the vial is labeled to contain.
• Discarded drugs must be reported with the JW modifier on a separate line. The total number of discarded units reported should not include amounts of the drug also included on the administered line due to the rounding up of units.
• Due to single-use vial type, the provider may bill for the amount administered as well as the amount appropriately discarded. The discarded amount is reported with the JW modifier. For more information see Chapter 17, Section 40 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual.

Reimbursement for Claims Billed with JW and JZ Modifiers

When a provider must discard an amount of drug from a single-dose container after administering a dose, payment for the discarded amount will be provided, as well as the dose administered, up to the amount of the drug indicated on the vial or package labeling. The discarded amount is any amount that is not part of the prescribed dose and not intended for administration to the patient.

For more information see the Billing and Coding: JW and JZ Modifier Billing Guidelines, CMS’s JW Modifier and JZ Modifier Policy, and Noridian’s Drug Waste – JW and JZ Modifiers.

Drug Safety Update: Spironolactone and Carvedilol Recalls

For providers rendering care to Veterans under the Community Care Network (CCN), please be aware of the following drug recalls from August 2025 that may impact your Veteran patients.

A manufacturer has recalled lots of spironolactone 25mg tablets due to a consumer complaint of a possible contamination. Affected products should be returned per pharmacy recall procedures.

For more information on this recall, please see the Spironolactone recall from VHA.

Additionally, lots of carvedilol have been recalled due to impurity results exceeding the acceptable limits set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For more information on this recall and amendment, please see the Carvedilol recall from VHA.

Empower Your Veteran Patients with Whole Health

VA delivers health care through a Whole Health lens. This approach includes the patient’s personal goals and priorities as part of their care plan – shifting the focus of the interaction from “what is the matter” to “what matters.”

Whole Health gives Veterans additional options to improve their physical and mental well-being through nutrition, physical activity, and stress management. They can download a Whole Health app, fill out a Personal Health Inventory, and connect with a VA Health and Wellness Coach. VA’s Whole Health web page also provides information about complementary and integrative health care and introduces Veterans to the eight life aspects to better health.

Providers play a key role in helping Veterans work toward achieving goals that matter to them.

Promoting Safety: Lethal Means Safety Resources for VA CCN Providers

As a VA CCN provider, you play a vital role in supporting Veteran health and safety. Lethal means safety is the practice of reducing access to firearms, medications, or other potentially harmful methods during a time of crisis. Explore tools and guidance to help you integrate lethal means safety into your care approach.

Learn more on TriWest’s lethal means safety web page.

VA CCN Provider Handbook Updates

There are currently no updates to the VA CCN Provider Handbook.