Medicare Part B News-Jurisdiction H for June 25th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

System Alerts
Issued 06/25/2014 at 2:51 PM

UPDATED: Attention Arkansas and Texas Providers - Duplicate Physician Quality Reporting System Payments

Updated 06/24/2014: Novitas has completed the process of recouping payments due to this system issue. Thank you for your patience.

Updated 5/30/14: Novitas has started the initiation of recouping Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) duplicate payments impacted by this system issue. This process will occur over the next several weeks. Thank you for your patience.

ISSUED: 5/8/2014
A system issue has been identified where some Texas and Arkansas Part B providers have received incorrect Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) payments. Due to a system problem, payments were issued on May 1, 2014, which duplicate payments that were originally issued on November 1, 2013. Novitas is currently taking necessary steps in order to correct the duplicate payments and will update this alert as additional information is available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Medicare Part A and B News- June 25th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

Medicare News

Part A Teleconference Handout: "Two Midnight Rule Probe and Educate" 

June 26, 2014 (10:30am-11:30am ET/9:30am-10:30am CT)
Handout materials are now available for the "Two Midnight Rule Probe and Educate" teleconference on June 26, 2014 (10:30am-11:30am ET/9:30am-10:30am CT).

Registration for this event is now closed, but stay tuned to our website for upcoming events!


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS

New:

• MM8775 – Clarification of Billing Instructions Related to the Home Health Benefit

MLN Connects Provider eNews- June 26th

The June 26th edition of MLN Connects Provider eNews is available to view here.

Free Webinar: Managing Stress and Maintaining Resilience

FREE WEBINAR: Putting Wellness Into Practice: Managing Stress and Maintaining Resilience

Thursday, July 31st 

12:00pm MDT

87% of physicians reported feeling moderately to severely stressed and/or burned out*

Please join us for this complimentary webinar, hosted by Physician Wellness Services. Physician Wellness Services provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to help physicians and their families to meet the unique work and life challenges they face.

This webinar will discuss the causes and effects of stress and burnout in order for individuals and healthcare organizations to start to address and ameliorate the root causes. In addition, it will offer multiple, practical ways to combat stress and build greater resilience to attain healthier, more satisfying personal and professional lives.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the causes and effects of stress and burnout at the individual and organizational levels 
• Learn how to help individuals more effectively combat stress and develop greater resilience around it 
• Develop organizational initiatives that can ameliorate and prevent clinician stress and burnout 

Click here to register today!

Tipping Telemedicine Adoption: Barrier Mitigation

This paper outlines the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of telemedicine in current healthcare practice and provides a set of recommendations to drive the necessary local regional and national adoption to meet the needs of the changing U.S. healthcare ecosystem. The information contained within grew out of a state-wide Arizona telemedicine forum, “Got telemedicine? Driving healthcare improvement in Arizona,” held in Phoenix, AZ on October 11, 2013.

To read the full paper, click here.

CREATE: Tell Your Story

It’s time to get that CREATE grant in and “tell your education story” to the ERC.  After all, the narrative writing is the meat of the entire application that provides the most information regarding your need, plan and expected outcomes.  It should reflect an obvious connection to your mission and goals.  A good narrative is like a good story and flows and builds from one section to the next.  Therefore, it is up to you as the applicant to make sure the reviewers can easily read and understand what you are trying to say.  Remember, the ERC is reviewing many applications so it is up to you to be proactive in keeping your application focused on the main points. It is never a good practice to make them hunt for the answers to what you want. Believe it or not, in grant writing …Simple is actually good! For more information or to apply for CREATE, contact Lakesha Jones – Grants Manager at 720.248.2742 or by email at lj@coruralhealth.org

Clinical Health Coach Training

Announcing Clinical Health Coach Fusion Training: Online curriculum-based program with a 2 Day Live Intensive.

Sign up by July 15, 2014 for the 2 Day Intensive in Des Moines, Iowa on September 4-5, 2014

Click Here for more information: www.clinicalhealthcoach.com/fusion. More information on all of our training is available at www.clinicalhealthcoach.com

Eligible Professionals Must Submit Hardship Exception Applications by July 1, 2014

CMS reminds eligible professionals that the deadline to submit a hardship exception application is approaching. An interactive tool is available to help eligible professionals determine if they will avoid upcoming 2015 and 2016 Medicare EHR Incentive Program payment adjustments by demonstrating meaningful use, or if they should apply for a hardship exception.

If an eligible professional determines that they need to apply for a hardship exception, the application must be submitted by July 1, 2014. CMS will review applications to determine whether or not a hardship exception will be granted. If approved, the exception is valid for one year.

Applying for Hardship Exception
When submitting hardship exception applications, entries must include supporting documentation that proves demonstrating meaningful use presented significant hardship.

CMS has posted hardship exception applications on the EHR website for:

• Eligible professionals
• Eligible professionals submitting multiple National Provider Identifiers (NPIs)

Please read and follow the submission instructions on the application. Note that all required supporting documentation must be included at the time of submission. Completing your application online and submitting it electronically to EHRhardship@provider-resources.com, with all required supporting documentation, will reduce the application processing time. Please do not submit hand-written applications.

Hardship Exception Tipsheets
You can also avoid payment adjustments by successfully demonstrating meaningful use prior to the payment adjustment. Tipsheets are available on the CMS website that outline when eligible professionals must demonstrate meaningful use in order to avoid the payment adjustments.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

CMS Frontier Focus

The following articles are included in this edition of CMS Frontier Focus:

• Industry: Phase 2 Ends June 30 – Last Full Week to Complete Data Submission and Attestation
• Physician and Teaching Hospitals: Reminder to Complete Phase 1 Registration – Enterprise Portal
• Review Updated Frequently Asked Questions
• Questions – Contact Help Desk

Novitas Solutions Mailing Addresses

Now is the time to begin using the appropriate Novitas Solutions Mechanicsburg P.O. Boxes/Addresses. As of July 25, 2014, mail received at the Novitas Solutions Camp Hill P.O. Boxes/Addresses will no longer be forwarded to the Mechanicsburg P.O. Boxes/Addresses. Mail will be returned to you/the sender. Please visit the Contact Us page of our website for the appropriate address.

Women's Wellness Connection: RFA Revisions

The Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) has released a Request for Applications (RFA) to fund additional organizations to provide breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured women in Colorado. Existing WWC agencies do not need to apply. Priority will be given to the following organizations:

· Those serving special populations such as Latina/Hispanic and/or African American women.

· Those able to serve counties where current WWC agencies are serving less than 30 percent of target population based on “WWC Percent of Target Populations Screened for Breast and cervical Cancer FY2012-2013” map.

***The revised application documents can be found here.

MLN Connects Provider eNews June 12th, 2014

MLN Connects Provider eNews for June 12, 2014
Please take time to review the articles in the MLN Connects Provider eNews for June 12, 2014.

HIT Educational Webinar: June 26th

Please gather your IT, QI and ICD-10 team and join us for the next in our series of HIT webinars on Thursday, June 26, 2014 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  

We will discuss a mid-year review of HIPAA Compliance -- are you caught up??  Do you need an internal network vulnerability assessment?

This webinar series is free to hospitals participating in the Colorado FY2013 SHIP grant program as well as CRHC members.  All other facilities will be invoiced $49 following the webinar. 

Please register for this webinar by clicking here.

Medicare Part A and B News-Jurisdiction H for June 18th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.


Informational Alert:
July 2014 Release “Dark Days for the Common Working File (CWF) Hosts
For the upcoming July 2014 Release, due to Change Request (CR) 8546 - Addition of New Fields and Expansion of Existing Model 1 Discount Percentage Field in the Inpatient Hospital Provider Specific File (PSF) and Addition of New Fields and Renaming Payment Fields in the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Pricer Output and User CR 30015 - IBM Hardware Data Compression Conversion (Phase 1), the CWF Hosts will be performing a history conversion. To accommodate the anticipated duration of this activity and to ensure the completion of the history conversion, weekly/monthly/quarterly processing, installation of the July 2014 Quarterly Release, and scheduled data center maintenance, there will be one “gray” day occurring on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, and two “dark” days on Thursday, July 3, 2014 and Saturday, July 5, 2014. Note: July 4, 2014 is a holiday.

Below is a list of scheduled events for the release:

• CWF Hosts will implement the Out of Service Area (OSA) drop for 06/30 through 07/03. 
• CWF Hosts will not perform any cross reference files (XREF) or Health Insurance Correction Record (HICR) transactions from 06/30 through 07/04. 
• 07/02 will be considered a “Gray” day for the CWF Hosts. This means the CWF online Health Insurance Master Record (HIMR) inquiry and the Beneficiary Data Streamlining (BDS) transaction will be available for all MACs. In addition, CWF Hosts will process In Sector Area (ISA) claims during the day on 07/02 and deliver response files back to the MACs in the old format for 07/03 night’s processing. 
• CWF Hosts will hold the claims received from MACs on 07/02 and 07/03. 
• 07/03, 07/04 (holiday) and 07/05 will be “Dark” days for CWF Hosts with no on lines available, which means that contractors will not have access to the HIMR inquiry and BDS transaction. 
• CWF Host will install the CWF July quarterly release on 07/04. 
• CWF Host will run the CWF SSM conversion and combine the held 07/02 and 07/03 claims administration contractor files on 07/07 and will send the combined files to the Fraud Prevention System (FPS) in the new version. 
• 07/07, the on lines are available for CWF Host under the new version. CWF Host will receive responses from the FPS by the afternoon of 07/07. The FPS response files will be loaded for CWF ISA processing on the night of 07/07. Response files will be sent to contractors in the new version for 07/08 night’s processing. 

Medicare News

Join us for our webinar "Part A How to Avoid Top Claim Errors - Second Quarter"

June 19, 2014 (2:00pm-3:00pm ET, 1:00pm-2:00pm CT)

We will assist you in recognizing the current top claim errors and providing you with suggestions on how to avoid them, provide you with the top reasons for returned claims and suggestions on how to avoid them, and help you understand the importance of the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing program and the top errors.

Register today for this informative event!


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS
New:

• MM8761 – Off-Cycle Release of the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Pricer
• MM8784 – Submission of Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) Certifications of Compliance with Section 485.918(b)(1)
• SE1421 – How to Access Updates to ICD-10 Local Coverage Determinations in the CMS Medicare Coverage Database

Medicare Part B News-Jurisdiction H for June 13th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

Medicare News

Part B Top Inquiries
The monthly Part B FAQs have been updated. Please take some time to review these FAQs for answers to your questions.

The following JH Local Coverage Articles have been revised:

• Approved Drugs and Biologicals; Includes Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agents (A52018)
• NCD Coding Article for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans Used for Non-Oncologic Conditions (A52202)

Colorado Medical Society: Livewire, June 2014

The June edition of Colorado Medical Society's newsletter, Livewire: Health care Finance News & Alerts for Practice Managers and Staff, is now available. This publication includes CMS alerts, MU guides, events, and more. To view the newsletter, click here.

Documentation and Coding Concepts Webcast for Family Practice/Internal Medicine

ICD-10 Documentation and Coding Concepts Webcast: Family Practice/Internal Medicine

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to view a newly released webcast on ICD-10 documentation and coding concepts for family practice and internal medicine.

To view the webcast please visit cms.gov/ICD10 for a link to “Road to 10,” then click on the “Webcast” tab located in the left-hand navigation bar.

• An AHIMA-certified coder presents on the webcast, which focuses on unique ICD-10 clinical documentation needs and hot topics for family practice and internal medicine: 
• Physician perspective/clinical impact of ICD-10 
• Documentation requirements for certain conditions 
• Documentation changes and new concepts 
• Use of "unspecified" codes in ICD-10 

Webcasts for orthopedics, cardiology, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology are already available.

Rio Grande Hospital's Shake, Rattle, & Run! 5k Run/Walk/1 Mile Walk

Rio Grande Hospital's First Annual...

SHAKE, RATTLE, & RUN

5k Run/Walk/1 Mile Walk

When: Sunday, July 13th, 2014

Registration-7:00am, Race-8:00am

Where: Rio Grande Hospital Parking Lot

Entry Fee: $25 entry per person

To register contact DeeAnn Sierra at deeanns@riograndehospital.net or 719-657-4603

Provide company name (if applicable), participant name, date of birth, phone number, and t-shirt size!

More information on the Rio Grande Facebook page.

Webinar: The Role of Onsite Labs in Clinical Integration

The Role of Onsite Labs in Clinical Integration
Thursday, June 26, 2014 2:00-3:30pm Eastern/11:00am-12:30pm Pacific

To create fully integrated behavioral health systems and to create better outcomes for individuals with mental illness and addictions, some behavioral health organizations have incorporated onsite pharmacies and labs into their service array. This webinar will feature SAMHSA Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI) grantees that have included pharmacies and labs in their organizations as part of their integrated primary care services. Hear about nuts and bolts issues such as the volume of clients needed to make the services financially worthwhile, the impact on care for clients, logistics required for space, licensing and staffing, and the impact on workflow and communication between prescribers and behavioral health staff.

Takeaways:

• Key questions to ask about adding pharmacy and labs as part of your primary care integration 
• The cost benefit analysis 
• Considerations for licensing, staffing, and space 

Presenters: Becky J. Hudzik, Director of Wellness and Recovery Services, Well Spring Resources; Sandra Stephenson, Director, Integrated Healthcare, Southeast, Inc.; and Jenny Crawford, Deputy Director, CIHS

Register Today!

Registration is free.
Closed Captioning Available Upon Request

Clinical Challenges in Opioid Prescribing: Balancing Safety & Efficacy

You are invited to attend the following training event:

Clinical Challenges in Opioid Prescribing: Balancing Safety & Efficacy

Friday, July 11, 2014

8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

The Cable Center, 2000 Buchtel Blvd., Denver, CO

$50 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, parking, 2 COPIC points, and continuing education credits

For more information and to register, click here.

Free Webinar: Game Changer-High Deductible Health Plans

Join us on July 1 at 2:00 PM EST for a FREE webinar: Game changer: High-Deductible Health Plans featuring Jim Larson from MedPractice Solutions, LLC.

One-third of U.S. workers now have high-deductible insurance plans—and most of the new insurance plans being sold on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance exchanges will be in the “bronze” category with higher out-of-pocket costs, according to a report in the August 2013 Health Affairs.

Are high deductibles putting you at risk?

Practice owners often fear that patients with high deductibles are less likely to pay, but the problem is not necessarily the patient. Both patients and providers benefit from knowing the financial impact of procedures up front. Blindsiding patients with massive bills after the fact is a recipe for resentment, foot-dragging, and nonpayment. Providing accurate, complete coverage information and offering payment options before providing care empowers your patients to make more informed and responsible decisions.

In this webinar, Jim Larson, a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives, will discuss:

• How high deductibles work 
• Trends of high-deductible insurance 
• Revolutionizing how we collect from patients 
• How to analyze, design, and implement your game-changing strategy 

Don't miss out on this opportunity! Registration is limited.

LVH and MDH Notice Released

CMS has released information about the implementation of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and Low Volume Hospital (LVH) extensions approved by Congress earlier this year. The notice outlines dates and requirements for continuing qualification for payment and the certification requirements for both programs. Importantly, Low-Volume facilities must provide mileage certification to their MAC by June 30 in order to receive all LVH payments from April 1, 2014-September 1, 2014. The full notice is available here.

Women's Wellness Connection: Request for Applications

The Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) has released a Request for Applications (RFA) to fund additional organizations to provide breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured women in Colorado. Existing WWC agencies do not need to apply. Priority will be given to the following organizations:

· Those serving special populations such as Latina/Hispanic and/or African American women.

· Those able to serve counties where current WWC agencies are serving less than 30 percent of target population based on “WWC Percent of Target Populations Screened for Breast and cervical Cancer FY2012-2013” map.

The application guidelines and documents are available here.

There will be an Applicants Conference Call on June 20th, 2014 and applications are due July 11th, 2014.

ICD-10 Documentation and Coding Concepts Webcast: Obstetrics and Gynecology

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to view a newly released webcast on ICD-10 documentation and coding concepts for obstetrics and gynecology.

To view the webcast please visit cms.gov/ICD10 for a link to “Road to 10,” then click on the “Webcast” tab located in the left-hand navigation bar.

• An AHIMA-certified coder presents on the webcast, which focuses on unique ICD-10 clinical documentation needs and hot topics for obstetrics and gynecology: 
• Physician perspective/clinical impact of ICD-10 
• Documentation requirements for certain conditions 
• Documentation changes and new concepts 
• Use of "unspecified" codes in ICD-10 

CMS will also offer another webinar in the “Road to 10” series on family practice and internal medicine that will follow the same outline and objectives.

Webcasts for orthopedics, cardiology, and pediatrics are already available.

Stay tuned for updates on when new webcasts are posted!

Medicare Part B News-Jurisdiction H for June 11th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

Medicare News

New Medicare Insights Weekly Podcasts Now Available
In this week's Medicare Insights Weekly podcast, we highlight the proper use of modifier 59. We also include time sensitive information about our electronic data interchange forms, mailing addresses and invite you to pre-register in the new Novitas Medicare Learning Center coming in July. Listen today!


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS

New

• MM8773 – July Update to the Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB)

Revised

• MM8401 – Mandatory Reporting of an 8-Digit Clinical Trial Number on Claims

Medicare Part A News-Jurisdiction H for June 11th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

Medicare News

New dates and locations are now available for upcoming 2014 Medicare Symposiums!

July 23, 2014 - Little Rock, AR
August 26, 2014 - Frisco, TX

Please take a moment to review the updated 2014 Medicare Symposium brochure and register for an event near you!


New Medicare Insights Weekly Podcasts Now Available
In this week's Medicare Insights Weekly podcast, we highlight the proper use of modifier 59. We also include time sensitive information about our electronic data interchange forms, mailing addresses and invite you to pre-register in the new Novitas Medicare Learning Center coming in July. Listen today!


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS

New

• MM8773 – July Update to the Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB)

Revised

• MM8401 – Mandatory Reporting of an 8-Digit Clinical Trial Number on Claims

JH Part A Top Claim Submission Errors
The Top Claim Submission Errors and resolutions for May 2014 are now available. Please take time to review these errors and avoid them on future claims.


Pre-registration for the Novitas Medicare Learning Center Closes June 18, 2014!
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTERST.
Avoid delays and waitlists, pre-register for the Novitas Medicare Learning Center. Pre-registration ends June 18, 2014. Don’t delay, complete the pre-registration form today!

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTERST.
Novitas Solutions is bringing you a new way to access Medicare education, the Novitas Medicare Learning Center. You will use the Novitas Medicare Learning Center to register for all Novitas educational events, track your education, download Continuation Education Certificates, access online training 24/7, and much more. In order to obtain credit for attending any education event, each individual MUST register for a Learning Center account separately!

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PRE-REGISTERED, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTERST.
We invite you to pre-register for the new Novitas Medicare Learning Center opening in July. Pre-registration is easy! Click here to go to our pre-registration form. Complete the form and click done. You will be registered for the Novitas Medicare Learning Center. When the Learning Center opens, you will receive a default password by email. Additional information regarding the Learning Center will be available prior to implementation in July.
We look forward to your participation in this new system for Medicare education.

Medicare Part B News-Jurisdiction H for June 9th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

Medicare News

Customer Contact Center Survey
Your feedback is important to us. Please take a moment to complete the Customer Contact Center Survey so we can better assist you.


May 2014 Medicare Part A Newsletter
The May 2014 Medicare Part A Newsletter is now available! Please take a moment to review.


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters Articles from CMS

New

• MM8776 – July 2014 Update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)

Revalidation for Jurisdiction H (JH) Providers and Suppliers

Novitas has updated the Revalidation Request Mailing Schedule on our website. As outlined in the Schedule, mailings began on June 2, 2014 and will continue through July 7, 2014. These mailings comprise approximately 10,500 providers/suppliers. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will publish the listing of providers/suppliers included in these mailings on their website approximately 3-4 weeks after all contractors have provided their mailing information for the months of June - July.

If you have questions related to the revalidation initiative, please visit our Revalidation page for more information

Medicare Part B News-Jurisdiction H for June 9th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

Medicare News

Customer Contact Center Survey
Your feedback is important to us. Please take a moment to complete the Customer Contact Center Survey so we can better assist you.


Revalidation for Jurisdiction H (JH) Providers and Suppliers
Novitas has updated the Revalidation Request Mailing Schedule on our website. As outlined in the Schedule, mailings began on June 2, 2014 and will continue through July 7, 2014. These mailings comprise approximately 10,500 providers/suppliers. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will publish the listing of providers/suppliers included in these mailings on their website approximately 3-4 weeks after all contractors have provided their mailing information for the months of June - July.

If you have questions related to the revalidation initiative, please visit our Revalidation page for more information

Medicare Part A News-Jurisdiction H for June 10th, 2014

The following information is provided by Novitas Solutions.

Medicare News

Overlapping Claims Requiring a Request for Assistance (RFA) – Reason Code U5601
Effective June 16, 2014, documentation requested due to Reason Code U5601 should be submitted to the following fax number: 1-877-439-5479. Providers are also given the opportunity to submit the requested documentation via standard mail; however it is strongly encouraged that providers fax the requested documentation. Please read the full article for additional information regarding the documentation request process for Reason Code U5601.

Webinar: "Part A Medicare Secondary Payer Basics"

June 17, 2014 (2:00pm-3:30pm ET, 1:00pm-2:30pm CT)
We will explore how to enhance your Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) knowledge, increase the accuracy of MSP data collection, and maintain MSP compliance. Don't miss this informative event! Register today!


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Articles from CMS

Revised 

• SE1039 – Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) Billing Guide

Customer Contact Center Training Schedule for July 2014
The Customer Contact Centers July training schedule has been posted to our Holiday and Training webpage. The call center will close for training on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 – 3:00 CT and reopen from 3:00 – 5:00 CT.

American Journal of Medicine Discusses Telemedicine and ACA

Major Medical Journal Discusses Telemedicine & ACA

Despite the Affordable Care Act’s rocky roll-out last October, more than 7 million Americans have signed on for health-care coverage through the Act as of March 31. Another 3 million have enrolled in state Medicaid plans, largely due to a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that subsidizes states’ expansions of Medicaid eligibility.

A major concern accompanying implementation of the ACA is the demand these millions of newly insured will place on the nation’s already inadequate physician supply.

But an article in the March 2014 issue of The American Journal of Medicine notes that advances in telemedicine, telehealth and mHealth (mobile health) services can help compensate for the physician shortage while meeting the ACA’s goal for increased health-care efficiency.

To read more, click here.

Updated RHC and FQHC Billing Guide

The Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) Billing Guide, updated June 5th, 2014, is now available to view online here.

Webinar Series: Grant Writing for Success!

Join us for the 5 part webinar series that will give you the skills you need to write successful grant applications for your organization. Our grants expert will preview the series and give you tips and tools for finding, planning, and writing grant proposals that will help you implement the plans you’ve envisioned for your organization.


The complete series dates and topics:

· June 12 – Introduction – Grant Writing 101

· June 26 – Writing Effective Narratives

· July 10 – Using Effective Verbiage and Definitive Words

· July 24 – Proofreading for Effective Writing

· August 7 – Prospecting Funding Opportunities

The presenter:
Lakesha Jones, Grants Manager
As the Grants Manager of CREATE (Colorado Resources for Emergency and Trauma Education) and Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Programs, Lakesha’s role of overall program management allows for direct interaction with grantees daily, as well as manage and coordinate the committees' that govern each program. She holds a MPA from Loyola University, and a B.A. in Public Administration from Talladega College. Lakesha’s passion to help others dates over 11 years, as she saw success writing grants for several nonprofit organizations in Colorado, Nevada, Illinois and California through her own organization Write Resources, LLC. The best part of being at CRHC is….. “Knowing that thousands of people will get the benefit of a well, trained medical professional…because of the education and training opportunities funded through CRHC.".

To register, follow this link.

The webinar is free for CRHC members. Non-members can attend for $50 per session or $200 for the series, and will be invoiced after the session.

Root Cause Analysis

How do you and your team determine which issues need fixing? Without analysis and examination you could end up 'fixing' symptoms instead of causes, but if you look deeper to determine the Root Cause of the issue, you can fix the underlying systems and processes that caused the problem.

Could you and your quality team benefit from a Root Cause Analysis?
Could you and your quality team benefit from a tutorial on Root Cause Analysis?

If so, please contact Caleb Siem at cs@coruralhealth.org for more information.

Medicare News

Part B Webinar Handout: "Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Basics"

June 5, 2014 (11:00am-12:00pm ET, 10:00am -11:00am CT
Having trouble billing your Medicare Secodary Payer Claims? This session is for you! Join us as we discuss Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) basics. We will review situations when other payers are primary to Medicare while providing you with answers to your most frequently asked MSP questions. You do not want to misss the event. Register today!

Second Quarter 2014 Medicare Report
Novitas Solutions is pleased to announce the Second Quarter Medicare Report is now available online for your viewing pleasure. You can find this valuable resource via the left navigation menu; under “Publications” or simply click the here!


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters Articles from CMS
Revised:

• MM8739 – Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for Solid Tumors (This Change Request (CR) rescinds and fully replaces MM 8468, dated February 6, 2014.)
• MM8695 - Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Annual Update for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule and Laboratory Services Subject to Reasonable Charge Payment - REVISION
• SE1418 – Proper Use of Modifier 59

Medicare News Part B- Jurisdiction H for June 3rd, 2014

Part B Webinar Handout: "Using Place of Service Codes Correctly"
June 4, 2014 (10:00am -11:00am ET, 9:00am -10:00am CT)
Join us as we explore the topic of Using Place of Service Codes Correctly!
We will discuss what proper place of service codes should be used and the rationale as to why they should be used when billing your Medicare claims. Register today!

Medicare Part A News-Jurisdiction H for June 3rd, 2014

Medicare News

Join us for our JH Part A webinar "Update - New Novitas Website" 

June 6, 2014 (1:00pm-2:30pm CT)
We will demonstrate the improved Novitas Solutions website and how to navigate, inform you of the new available search tools, and provide tips to enhance your search results.

Register today for this informative event!


Successful Results from CMS: ICD-10 Acknowledgement Testing Week
This past March, CMS conducted a successful ICD-10 testing week. Testers submitted more than 127,000 claims with ICD-10 codes to the Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims systems and received electronic acknowledgements confirming that their claims were accepted. Please take a few moments to read the entire article.


Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters Articles from CMS

New:

• MM8691 – ICD-10 Conversion/Coding Infrastructure Revisions/ICD-9 Updates to National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) - Maintenance CR

New Medicare Insights Weekly Podcasts Now Available

In this week's Medicare Insights Weekly podcast, we give you an overview of Medicare Compliance. Don't miss this informative podcast. Listen today!

MLN Connects Provider eNews, June 5th, 2014

The June 5th edition of MLN Connects, the weekly provider eNews provided by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is now available here

Phase 1 of provider registration for Open Payments

Phase 1 of provider registration for Open Payments begins June 1, 2014. Physicians and teaching hospitals that want to participate in Open Payments need to register in CMS’ Enterprise Portal. The benefit of registration, although voluntary, is that it allows providers to review data that industry has reported and dispute any inaccuracies. Phase 2 of provider registration begins in July and physicians and teaching hospitals can also begin to review and dispute the data at this time. The review and dispute period will last 45 days. Please share the following materials with anyone you feel may benefit from this information.

• Open Payments drop-in article (attached). Provider associations are encouraged to include the drop-in article in their newsletter or on their website. 
• CMS’ Open Payments Physician webpage: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/National-Physician-Payment-Transparency-Program/Physicians.html. This page also includes a link to two Medscape CME activities. 
• CMS’ Open Payments Physician fact sheet: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/National-Physician-Payment-Transparency-Program/Downloads/Program-Overview-for-Physicians-[August-2013].pdf
• Dr. Shantanu Agrawal’s blog entry on the CMS website: http://blog.cms.gov/2014/05/22/open-payments-data-collection-moves-forward/

In addition, there will be a National Provider Call on Open Payments on Thursday, June 12, from 1:30-3:00pm ET focused on physician and teaching hospital registration phases and the upcoming review and dispute process. Providers can register at: http://www.eventsvc.com/blhtechnologies/register/4e0a4849-fac9-4d7d-8e2b-d75e05cdb66d.

ICD-10 Documentation and Coding Concepts Webcast: Orthopedics

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to view a newly released webcast on ICD-10 documentation and coding concepts for orthopedics.

This webcast is the first in the CMS “Road to 10” series designed to help you with ICD-10 clinical documentation specific to your medical specialty.

To view the webcast please visit cms.gov/ICD10 for a link to “Road to 10,” then click on the “Webcast” tab located in the left-hand navigation bar.

An AHIMA-certified coder presents on the webcast, which focuses on unique ICD-10 clinical documentation needs and hot topics for orthopedics:

• Physician perspective/clinical impact of ICD-10 
• Documentation requirements for certain conditions 
• Documentation changes and new concepts 
• Use of "unspecified" codes in ICD-10 

CMS will also offer other webinars in the “Road to 10” series that will follow the same outline and objectives for other specialties, including cardiology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and family practice and internal medicine. Stay tuned for updates on when those webcasts are posted!

Keep Up to Date on ICD-10
Visit the CMS ICD-10 website for the latest news and resources to help you prepare. Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Industry Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.

Colorado’s eConsult Survey

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing needs your help designing an electronic consultation (eConsult) system to help ease medical communication and coordination between primary care and specialty care medical providers regarding patients. The Department also plans to provide financial incentives to providers for participating in the eConsult program.

Please fill out this brief survey to tell us your preferences for the new eConsult system:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Colorado-eConsult-Survey

At a Glance: May 2014

At a Glance, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing publication, provides information on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates. The May 2014 edition can be found here.

Telehealth Webinar: The Utah Remote Monitoring Project

Improving Access to Quality Medical Care
The practice and delivery of healthcare is changing, with an emphasis on improving quality, safety, efficiency, & access to care. Telemedicine can help you achieve these goals! The University of Arizona Center for Rural Health & the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center invite you to a free webinar on the implementation and practice of telemedicine.

Telehealth Webinar:“The Utah Remote Monitoring Project”

Wednesday, June 11, 2014 ~ 12:00pm MDT

This is an opportunity to learn about:

1. The rationale for telemonitoring projects.

2. Describe the Utah OAT grant project.

3. Present an overview and discussion of the results.

For more information and registration instructions go to:

http://telemedicine.arizona.edu/distant-education/upcoming-workshops

FREE Webinar: Alcohol Screening to Improve Health in Rural Colorado

Almost 38 million Americans drink too much and most are not alcoholics. This webinar, presented by the SBIRT Colorado initiative, will present the essential steps of alcohol screening and brief advice for clinics and hospitals – an evidence based practice to improve health and make communities safer.

To register for this webinar, click here.