Friday, November 30, 2012

RAC Launches Rural Obesity Prevention Toolkit

In an effort to help rural communities better address the current obesity epidemic, the Rural Assistance Center has launched a Rural Obesity Prevention toolkit. This toolkit contains resources to help communities develop obesity prevention programs, building on best practices of successful obesity prevention programs.

Rural areas in the United States not only have a higher rate of obesity than urban areas, but they also face a different set of challenges when it comes to implementing a successful obesity prevention program. The Rural Obesity Prevention toolkit has the tools to help adapt obesity prevention programs to make them work for your rural community.

Content for the Rural Obesity Prevention toolkit was developed by the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis as part of the Community Health Gateway. The Gateway is designed to help rural communities learn about proven methods of providing rural residents with better access to health and human services. Development of these resources is part of an ongoing effort by NORC and RAC to provide innovative health and human services information to rural America.

Funding for this project is provided by the federal Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP), part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). To learn more about the Community Health Gateway and its current toolkits, visit www.raconline.org/communityhealth/.

For more information
Kristine Sande, RAC Program Director
701.777.6466

Yuma District Hospital Spotlighted for Patient-Centered Medical Home Model

Yuma District Hospital was recently interviewed for the online Becker's Hospital Review for their implementation of Patient-Centered Medical Home Model.

In the article, John Gardner, CEO of Yuma District Hospital, talks about the process involved in this model, the challenges the hospital faced, as well as the positive results that came from the transition.

For more information on the Patient-Centered Medical Home Model and Gardner's words of wisdom for those interested in bringing this model to their own facility, click here for the full article.

Important News for CRHC CAHs and Hospitals Attesting for Medicaid EHR Incentives

Colorado Medicaid (HCPF) has extended the sixty day deadline after the end of the 2012 federal fiscal year for submission of either AIU or 90 day attestation. The new deadline is December 29, 2012. The attestation MUST BE submitted by this date which provides a 30 day additional grace period. Some of our CAHs have been anxiously awaiting the ability to submit their 90 day MU reporting for Medicaid and this will be welcome news since the attestation site is still not ready to accept 90 day reporting. A few of our CAHs have waited to submit their Medicaid AIU for 2012 until this week and they too will have a grace period. If you have questions, please contact our Senior Advisor David Ginsberg at dg@coruralhealth.org

Updated MLN Swing Bed Fact Sheet

The Medicare Learning Network “Swing Bed Services” Fact Sheet (ICN 006951) was revised and is now available in downloadable format. This fact sheet is designed to provide education on swing bed services. It includes the following information: background, requirements that apply to hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals, and payments.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Rifle Coding Certification Date Change, Now May!

Date: May 21, 22, 23 2013
Time: Day 1 and 2 = 8:30am - 4:30pm / Day 3 = 8:30am - noon
For more information and the registration form please click here.

Location: Grand River Hospital Conference Center / 501 Airport Rd, Rifle, CO 81650

A nationally recognized ARHPC instructor (over 15 years of experience) will provide valuable
information needed to meet your coding, reimbursement and compliance goals in 2013.

Topics covered include the following coding manuals:
- 2013 CPT Professional
- 2013 HCPCS
- 2013 ICD-9

***All attendees MUST bring these coding manuals to the class ***

Books will be provided for attendees from hospitals participating in the FY2012 SHIP Grant.

All other attendees:
- may purchase books on their own
- or at a discount -- through CRHC -- when you register.

This class is approved for 18 hours of CEU’s and recognized by the ARHPC and AAPC
Upon successful completion of this bootcamp, attendees will be eligible to take the online coding
certification test through ARHPC at no additional cost.

Registration Deadline is Tuesday, March 14, 2012.
One registration form per individual please.

Questions? Contact Danette Swanson ds@coruralhealth.org
Registration Assistance: Samantha Hiner at 720.248.2757

HCPF At A Glance Newsletter - November

Please find the link to the November edition of At a Glance here. This Department of Health Care Policy and Financing publication provides information on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates.

HIPAA PHI De-Identification Guidance Released

De-identification of PHI has become an increasingly complex issue and requirement with the increased use of electronic health records, health information exchanges and related. 

This past Tuesday, OCR released guidance regarding methods for de-identification of protected health information in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. This guidance fulfills the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) mandate that HHS issue such guidance. 

In response to this mandate, OCR collected research and views regarding de-identification approaches, best practices for implementation and management of the current de-identification standard and potential changes to address policy concerns. OCR solicited stakeholder input from experts with practical technical and policy experience to inform the creation of guidance materials by organizing an in-person workshop consisting of multiple panel sessions, each addressing a specific topic related to de-identification methodologies and policies. The workshop was open to the public and was held March 8-9, 2010 in Washington, DC. The guidance synthesizes these diverse perspectives. It can be found here

Announcement of Medicare Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) Payment Rate Increases

The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) recently posted information in a MLN Matters® Article on Medicare Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) payment rate increases. 

Provider Types Affected

This MLN Matters® Article is intended for Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) submitting claims to Medicare contractors (fiscal intermediaries (FIs) and A/B 
Medicare Administrative Contractors (A/BMACs) for services to Medicare beneficiaries.

Provider Action Needed
This article is based on Change Request (CR) 8119 which informs Medicare contractors about the calendar year (CY) 2013 Payment Rate Increases for RHC and FQHC services. Make sure that your billing staffs are aware of these changes. See the Background and Additional Information Sections of this article for further details regarding these changes.

To see the full article, please click here.

AgriSafe Network Presents a FREE Webinar

TOPIC: Physical Assessments &Wellness Programs for Small Ag Businesses

PRESENTERS: Charlotte Halverson, BSN, COHN-S, AgriSafe Occupational Health Nurse
Carolyn Sheridan, BSN, AgriSafe Clinical Director

Upon conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
  • Identify AgriSafe and OSHA health/wellness resources that are appropriate to production agriculture 
  • Analyze the Return on Investment (ROI) and benefits of workplace wellness programs 
  • Understand workplace physical assessments, including pre-employment/ post-offer physicals
When: December 12, 2012 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Central Time

Questions - Call LaVonne at 712-262-4947 or at llagrisafe@smunet.net
To register, click here.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

CMS Request for Information Regarding Health Care Quality for Exchanges


CMS has issued a request for public comment for information regarding health plan quality management and reporting in Affordable Insurance Exchanges. The deadline to submit comments to CMS is December 27. For more information, click here.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Meaningful Use Stage I: Everything You Need to Know as an Eligible Professional

So what is Meaningful Use? How does it apply to you and your organization? Is there money out there waiting for you?

The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provide financial incentives for the “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology to improve patient care. To receive an EHR incentive payment, providers have to show that they are “meaningfully using” their EHRs by meeting thresholds for a number of objectives.

To date, CMS has paid $2.6 billion to eligible providers under both incentive programs, but there's still money on the table. This webinar will break the program down into manageable pieces so you feel confident moving forward.

Click here to register for this FREE webinar presented by CORHIO onThursday, December 6, 2012, 12:00 noon - 12:45 pm (MT). View the event flyer here.

Electronic Claim Submitters: Cutoff Time for Claims Filing

Electronic claims received after 3:30 Central Time (4:30 Eastern Time) will be considered received on the next business day. For example, claims received on Friday at 5:45 Eastern Time will be considered received on the following Monday. If the following Monday is a holiday then the claims will not be considered received until Tuesday.

Cahaba GBA will be closed New Year’s Day, on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. Claims submitted to meet filing timeliness deadlines must be submitted no later than 3:30 p.m. Central Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) on Monday, December 31, 2012 to be considered submitted in 2012. Claims received after the cut-off time on December 31, 2012 will not be considered received until Wednesday, January 2, 2013. If you submit your claims to us through a billing service or clearing house you will need to allow additional time, since your clearing house or billing service must first receive the claims from you before submitting them to us. Check with your clearing house or billing service to find out when they would submit your claims to Medicare.

Please visit the Cahaba GBA website at www.cahabagba.com for more information.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Hospital Outpatient Panel Update

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the following announcement related to the first meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment. As mentioned in the press release, this panel’s recommendations carry heavy weight on how rural hospitals administer outpatient therapeutic services to their patients. This meeting has become more critical with HHS’ announcement that it will end the direct supervision enforcement moratorium for Critical Access Hospitals and rural PPS facilities with fewer than 100 beds in January 2014. “The attached Federal Register notice announces the first semi-annual meeting of the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP, the Panel) for 2013. The purpose of the Panel is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights, and hospital outpatient therapeutic supervision issues. “Of particular interest to rural hospitals and CAHs, the Panel will be reviewing recommendations from the public (including hospitals, organizations, associations) on the appropriate supervision level (general, direct, or personal) for individual hospital outpatient therapeutic services…” Click here for more information from NRHA about this announcement.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Position Opening for Hospital Preparedness Program Coordinator

Enjoy a small town atmosphere only 100 miles from Denver (Cheyenne), with no state income tax, and an average of 300 days of sunshine each year with nearby access to skiing, hiking, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities. Build a satisfying career while making a difference to the citizens of the State of Wyoming. This position manages the grant funds and related program objectives of the Hospital Preparedness Program. Through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations (OPEO), the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), provides funding for states to improve medical surge capacity, and enhance hospital and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) capacity for response to a local or statewide emergency.

For more information, please click here.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Announcing Registration for ARHPC Coding Certification Bootcamp in Rifle!

Date: March 13, 14, 15, 2013
Time: Day 1 and 2 = 8:30am - 4:30pm / Day 3 = 8:30am - noon
For more information and the registration form please click here.

Location: Grand River Hospital Conference Center / 501 Airport Rd, Rifle, CO 81650

A nationally recognized ARHPC instructor (over 15 years of experience) will provide valuable
information needed to meet your coding, reimbursement and compliance goals in 2013.

Topics covered include the following coding manuals:
- 2013 CPT Professional
- 2013 HCPCS
- 2013 ICD-9

***All attendees MUST bring these coding manuals to the class ***

Books will be provided for attendees from hospitals participating in the FY2012 SHIP Grant.

All other attendees:
- may purchase books on their own
- or at a discount -- through CRHC -- when you register.

This class is approved for 18 hours of CEU’s and recognized by the ARHPC and AAPC
Upon successful completion of this bootcamp, attendees will be eligible to take the online coding
certification test through ARHPC at no additional cost.

Registration Deadline is Friday, March 8, 2012.
One registration form per individual please.

Questions? Contact Danette Swanson ds@coruralhealth.org
Registration Assistance: Samantha Hiner at 720.248.2757

Friday, November 16, 2012

National Medicare Training Program Update Webinar on Nov. 20

Please join us for the monthly National Medicare Training Program Update Webinar on Tuesday, November 20. We'll be sharing information on:
  • Flu Vaccine 
  • Plan Finder 
  • Innovations Center 
  • Enrollment Opportunities for People Affected by Hurricane Sandy 
  • Pharmacy & Provider Access During Federal Disasters and Other Public Health Emergencies 
The National Medicare Training Program provides consistent, accurate, and reliable information for Medicare partners—professionals and volunteers who work with seniors and people with disabilities—to help people with Medicare make informed health care decisions.

When: Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m., ET
Call-In Number: 877-251-0301
Conference ID: 90024799
Webinar ID: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/nmtpnov12/

Our policy experts will present the information via the web.

PLEASE JOIN BOTH THE AUDIO CALL AND THE WEBINAR

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Important Meeting with the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)

HCPF is holding a stakeholder meeting on Friday, November 16th at 2:30 PM to discuss the FQHC/RHC shared savings program. During the meeting, HCPF will be discussing ways to incorporate FQHC/RHC shared savings into Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) shared savings and coming up with realistic solutions for the issues that have been brought up in previous meetings. HCPF would like to have a draft methodology for distributing savings by the end of November and will initiate discussions with CMS at that time.

If at all possible, please participate in this important meeting in order to have your voice shape this policy. Please contact Alicia Haywood at ah@coruralhealth.org with any questions.

Meeting Details
Friday, November 17th
2:30 – 4:30 PM
1570 Grant Street, Aspen Conference Room
Toll: 1-720-279-0026
Toll free: 1-877-820-7831
Passcode: 610450#
Mute/unmute: *6

Happy National Rural Health Day!!

 

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and State Offices of Rural Health have set aside November 15, 2012 as National Rural Health Day to showcase Rural America; increase awareness of the unique healthcare issues facing rural communities; and highlight the efforts of State Offices of Rural Health and others to address those issues.
Help CRHC Celebrate National Rural Health Day! CRHC has organized a number of events to celebrate National Rural Health Day. We will be hosting a luncheon at St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville, followed by a tour of the facility. Charles Reyman, Vice President of Communications at the Colorado Health Foundation, will be speaking as well. Congratulations to our coloring contest winners Izzy, age 8, and Fiona, age 7! Their winning drawings depict how they stay healthy in their community. Both are students at Cressen Elementary School in Cripple Creek, CO. Click here to view the entire collection of drawings submitted from the second and third grade classrooms at Cressen Elementary. Thank you to everyone who participated in our photo contest! The winners will be announce on Friday, November 16th. One winner per category (Colorado Landscape, Rural Life, Health Facilities) will be selected to receive a $25 gift card.

Thanksgiving Holiday Customer Service Units and EDI Availability


Attention Part B Providers:
Novitas Solutions, Inc. will be observing the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 22, 2012, and Friday, November 23, 2012. Our business doors will be closed, and the Customer Service Units will not be available. However, you may continue utilizing EDI services.

On November 22, 2012, the EDI platforms will be available for claim submission, report retrieval, and claim status inquiry. However, there will not be a batch claims processing cycle executed for this date. Medicare Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) files will not be generated on this day.

Electronic claims received after your end of day processing time on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, will be entered into the processing system on Friday, November 23, 2012. The reports for version 5010 files will be available shortly after the time of file submission.

On Thursday, November 22, the Professional Provider Telecommunications Network (PPTN) and the Interactive Voice Response Unit (IVR) will be available.

On November 23, 2012, the EDI platforms will be available for claim submission, report retrieval, and claim status inquiry. There will be a batch claims processing cycle, and Medicare Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) files will be generated.

 For more information please click here

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Rx Remote Solutions New CRHC Sponsor


Colorado Rural Health Center is proud to announce a new group purchasing solution to its members with sponsorship support from Rx RemoteSolutions. 

Rx RemoteSolutions supports the hospital pharmacy service by maintaining continuity of care and patient safety either after department hours, during periods of peak demand or other times of need with remote order entry and verification services. They provide patient-centered, safe, efficient, and cost-effective medication order verification and processing services from a centralized office. They also meet The Joint Commission and CMS standards, HIPAA regulations and applicable state licensing requirements. 

Carl Geberbauer, Divisional Vice President of Rx RemoteSolutions says, “We are honored to be a supporter of CRHC.” Each CRHC member who becomes a client of RemoteSolutions will receive access to Rx Intelnet, an internet based proprietary, proven pharmacy practice resources and hundreds of effective policies, protocols, tools and more for everyday pharmacy practice. In addition, alert memos, updates and newsletters (clinical, purchasing and regulatory) and access to pharmacy practice web pages covering the breadth of pharmacy services will be provided.

Thank you to Rx RemoteSolutions for their continued support of rural health in the state of Colorado!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Press Release regarding Quality Improvement

Below is a link for the press release from Clinical Colleagues regarding a new Quality Improvement Program, available to hospital anesthesia departments
Please click here to read the full article

Is your CAH signed up for iCARE?

Hospitals’ avoidable readmission rates have come under close scrutiny by payers and policymakers because of the potential of high savings associated with them. Tackling this issue is an opportunity to improve quality and reduce costs in the health care system. Although readmission rates among Colorado CAHs, by virtue of their volume, may be small, there is opportunity for our state to stay ahead of national trends, spotlight the great services Colorado CAHs are providing, make improvements in processes that will help maintain low readmission rates and continue to showcase the hospital’s status as a leader in their community. The basic goals of this project, funded by Colorado’s Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant (Flex) (CFDA: 93.241; Grant Award: 2 H54RH00056-09-00) are to:
  • Improve communications in transitions of care
  • Improve the clinical process and systems to reduce readmissions, particularly for heart failure and pneumonia patients
  • Maintain low readmission rates
When you join this project, along with a myriad of other resources that will become available to you, you will also have access to our password protected websitedesigned to provide you and your staff with tools and templates to assist you in implementing the changes you would like to see at your facility and in your community to help you reach these goals while at the same time improving quality, reducing costs and improving patient satisfaction.
For more information on iCARE or how you and your provider based clinics can join please contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org or 303.309.6807

CMS Updates and Transmittals


CMS Medicare system update to include rendering line level NPI for PCIP payments to CAHs - On November 1, CMS issued a transmittal that updates Medicare systems to identify line level NPI information for purposes of PCIP payments to CAHS reimbursed under the optional method. View transmittal R2579CP. View MLN Matters article MM8030.

CMS transmittal on revisions to method of cost settlement for inpatient services for rural hospitals On October 26, CMS replaced transmittal R84DEMO, containing information on the revisions to the method of cost settlement for inpatient services for rural hospitals participating under demonstration authorized by Section 410A of the Medicare Modernization Act. View transmittal R85DEMO.

CMS transmittal on payment of global surgical split care in a Method II CAH with modifiers -54 and/or -55 On October 26, CMS replaced transmittal R2510CP, containing instructions on implementing the payment methodology for global surgical split care submitted with a modifier 54 and/or 55 for CAH Method II providers. View transmittal R2574CP.

CMS 2013 OPPS final rule On November 2, CMS issued the 2013 OPPS final rule. View the fact sheet.

CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule On November 2, CMS issued the 2013 Physician Fee Schedule final rule. View the fact sheet.

Don’t miss your chance to become a National Health Service Corps approved site!


The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) cut-off date for new sites to apply is December 15, 2012. For more information and eligibility requirements please click here.


Why become a NHSC approved site?
Assistance in helping you attract and retain qualified and dedicated primary care providers
Opportunities to network with other NHSC-approved sites and community organizations
Direct access to State Primary Care Offices (PCOs) that provide assistance with increasing access to primary health care services in your community
Membership in a network of partners who are dedicated to providing care in communities with limited access to health care
For more information and eligibility requirements please click here.
The next new site application cycle will begin July 1, 2013.

Monday, November 12, 2012

HRSA’s “Primary Care for All” upcoming events:


Login to PrimaryCareForAll.hrsa.gov this month to participate in one of these exciting upcoming events! Live webinars address hot topics in public health and offer practical tips for you to implement into your practice. Virtual coffee shop discussions feature subject-matter experts and the opportunity to ask questions and to connect with other NHSC members and alumni working across the country. View the full calendar of events.





CAH Board Finance 101


CRHC offers training for CAH Boards consisting of an on-site half-day session which will include individualized hospital-specific information about CAH financial statements, cost reports, Medicare & Medicaid payments and other pertinent information related to health care payment policy. For more information and pricing contact Jennifer Dunn at jd@coruralhealth.org.

Dear All Kids Covered member



Friday, December 7, 2012 from 10:30-12:15.

As discussed at our November Coalition meeting, starting Jan. 1, 2013, women in the CHP+ Prenatal program from 133 – 185 % FPL will be moved to Medicaid. HCPF sent all women enrolled in the CHP+ Prenatal Program a letter regarding the change – some women will need to switch providers if their provider does not accept Medicaid. If you get questions about this letter, HCPF is emphasizing that patients ask their doctors if they take Medicaid and directing patients whose doctors do not take Medicaid to a hotline number (303-839-2120, or 1-888-367-6557) with their doctor or midwife’s contact information or to find a new provider. (If their doctor takes Medicaid, then they can stay with their current doctor.)

Here is a link to the letter on HCPF’s website.







Friday, November 9, 2012

National Rural Health Day Webinar Presentations


Even though National Rural Health Day is “officially” two days away, we’ve already started the celebration! We kicked things off yesterday with our first webinar, The Basics of Rural Health, and we’re following that up with a slate of webinars the rest of the week – including two today! Be sure to check out the 2012 National Rural Health Day Webinar Presentations section on the National Rural Health Day website for links to yesterday’s webinar and registration information for the rest of this week’s presentations.





Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Save the Date: April 3-5, 2013


The Forum is a two-day conference that will bring together participants from all over Colorado and the surrounding states. It serves as an essential educational, training, and networking event for all safety net clinics, members of the clinic team, and other interested parties. This is the 13th annual Forum, and the fourth year in which CRHC has partnered with ClinicNET to put on the event. This partnership allows and expanded reach which includes other states and clinic types in order to address the issues facing all safety net providers.

More information will be released as the event nears - registration will open at the end of December.

Hotel Information:
Location:
Sheraton Denver West Hotel
360 Union Blvd. Lakewood, CO 80228

Has Your CAH Joined MBQIP?


The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) is a federal CAH quality initiative from the Office of Rural Health Policy to demonstrate the work CAHs are doing in the areas of quality improvement and patient safety. Over 80% of CAHs across the country are participating in this initiative. If you hospital hasn’t signed up, it’s not too late. Information is posted on CRHC’s website here, or you can contact jd@coruralhealth.org.

Medicaid and CHP + Policy Changes



 Pending approval from the Medical Services Board, January 2013 will bring policy changes for CHP+ and Medicaid.
We will have an in-depth discussion about the policy changes, and question / answer period around these topics.

• Aligning Medicaid Eligibility for Children at 133% FPL
• Increasing Medicaid Income Eligibility for Pregnant Women
• CHP+ HMO Enrollment
• Elimination of CHP+ at Work Program
• Children of State Employees to be Eligible for CHP+


Register for a session now by clicking a date below:
 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MST
 Wed, Dec 5, 2012 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MST
 Thu, Dec 13, 2012 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MST

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration
with information you need to join the Webinar.



 











Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Free CAH Benchmarking Tool



Quality Health Indicators (QHi) is an online benchmarking tool geared towards CAHs. Over 200 hospitals in 14 states across the country are using the system. All Colorado CAHs have access to QHi at no charge. If you are interested in finding out more about the system or are using the system and just in need of a refresher, QHi will be holding a Back to Basics Webinar on November 28 from 1:00-2:00 MST. During the webinar, QHi will walk through the live site demonstrating how to: add users, change passwords, complete the hospital profile, select measures, enter data, connect with Best Practice facilities and run reports. For more information, contact jd@coruralhealth.org.





Monday, November 5, 2012

At a Glance


Please find the link to the October edition of At a Glance below. This Department of Health Care Policy and Financing publication provides information on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates. Please feel free to share it with your colleagues.

Thank you for your interest!
At a Glance

Medicare Learning Links from CMS

· New Informational Unsolicited Response (IUR) Process to Identify Previously Paid Claims for Services Furnished to Incarcerated Medicare Beneficiaries - MM8007

 · New Informational Unsolicited Response (IUR) Process to Identify Previously Paid Claims for Services Furnished to Medicare Beneficiaries Classified as "Unlawfully Present" in the United States - MM8009

 · Medicare System Update to Include Rendering Line Level National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) for Primary Care Incentive Program (PCIP) Payments to Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) - MM8030

 · Enforcing Interim Billing for Partial Hospitalization Services - MM8048
https://www.novitas-solutions.com/bulletins/mln/index.html

 http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM8007.pdf

 http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM8009.pdf

 http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM8030.pdf

http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM8048.pdf

Friday, November 2, 2012

CMS Medicare FFS Provider e-News



 Thursday, November 1, 2012 — CMS Issues 2 Payment Rules



On November 1, CMS issued two final regulations updating Medicare payment rates and policies in CY 2013 for services furnished by physicians and other practitioners, and hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers.   

The final CY 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) rule will be published on November 16, 2012. It will take effect January 1, 2013 with a comment period that closes on December 31, 2012.

§ Final Rule with comment period
§ Fact Sheet

The final CY 2013 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) rule will be published on November 15, 2012. It will take effect January 1, 2013 with a comment period that closes on December 31, 2012.

§ Final Rule with comment period
§ Fact Sheet