Webinars: Upcoming Educational Webinars

Community Engagement

• 2/17/11 - Coordinated Community Benefit Planning Linked to a Shared Needs Assessment: Leveraging Funding and Driving Health Improvement ($40 for members, $80 for non-members)

Health Information Technology

• 2/8/11 - Deploying Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) that Physicians Will Love (Free)
• 2/10/11 - Tips on Open Source Software Models and Solutions in the Safety Net Community (Free)
• 2/10/11 - Using IT as a Service to Unlock the Value of Clinical Data (Free)
• 2/15/11 - Managing Remote IT Systems from Your Office: 5 Tips for Healthcare IT Directors (Free)
• 2/24/11 - Overview of Alternate System Solutions for Health IT (Free)
• 2/25/11 - Overview of Health IT Workforce Training Programs for the Safety Net (Free)

Hospital Finance

• 2/10/11 - Understanding Revenue Codes for the Chargemaster ($225)
• 2/15/11 - Top Ten Revenue Cycle and Charge Capture Issues - Part One (Free)
• 2/23/11 - Are You On Track? Preparing for ICD-10 ($99)

Hospital Operations

• 2/3/11 - CMS & Joint Commission Grievances and Complaints ($225)
• 2/9/11 - The Federal Law: What Every Healthcare Facility Should Know ($225)
• 2/15/11 - CMS Medical Record Regulations ($225)
• 2/23/11 - 2011 Documentation Update: The Importance of Proper & Accurate Documentation ($225)

Management and Leadership

• 2/8/11 - Managing & Motivating Your Superstar Employees ($199)
• 2/8/11 - 5 Secrets of Truly Innovative Cultures ($199)

Performance and Quality Improvement

• 2/8/11 - 34 Safe Practices for Better Healthcare - The First 22 Safe Practices ($225)
• 2/9/11 - Achieving Quality Outcomes: A Perspective from National Quality Forum (Free for HIMSS members, $79 for non-members)
• 3/31/11 - Healthcare Productivity Balancing Act: Using Proactive Workforce Scheduling to Deliver Quality Patient Care (Free)

Education for Primary Care Providers--Free CMEs and CEUs!

February 24 or 25, 2011; Grand Junction, CO
The Invisible Wounds of War: Training for Civilian Providers in Grand Junction program provides essential information on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Psychological Health for healthcare professionals who are or will care for veterans who served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. It is designed for primary care physicians, mid-level healthcare professionals, mental health professionals, and others who are now or may be working with our military members, veterans and their families.  For more information and to register, click here.

Medicare Learning Network Article – Guidance on Hospital Inpatient Admissions

CMS has posted a special edition MLN Matters article on inpatient admission decisions and the use of screening criteria – including Interqual and Milliman – by CMS contractors such as RACs, CERT, and the FIs/MACs. To access the article, click here.

Webinar: Physician-Hospital Integration Case Study: A New Era of Delivering Cardiovascular Care

Wednesday, February 23, 2011; 12-1:30pm CSTState and federal health reform activity, along with a continuing increase in consumerism, have forced the healthcare industry to focus a bright light on how it intends to respond to the strategic and operational consequences of reform compliance, including:

• Monitoring a population’s health (metrics)
• Reducing the cost per unit of care (utilization)
• Delivering an exceptional patient experience (every time)

Effective clinical integration of hospital-physician systems will be a core element of successful healthcare delivery. During this webinar, David Rothschiller, Executive Director of the St. Paul Heart Clinic, and Perry Hanson, Wipfli Partner, will examine the circumstances and decisions of a large, urban cardiology practice that disbanded its private group and integrated with two discrete health systems.

Attend this webinar to explore the key implementation issues St. Paul Heart Clinic considered in their integration, and get an inside look at some of the lessons learned along the way.
This webinar is FREE for independent physicians and medical practices.

Click here to register!

Webinar: How Healthy Are Colorado Women of Reproductive Age? An Evaluation of Preconception Risk and Protective Factors

Friday, February 25, 2011; 7:30am-8:30am OR 2:00pm-3:00pmMany Colorado women of reproductive age engage in a variety of unhealthy behaviors. The health of women who are at risk for unintended pregnancy or who want to have a child within two years is of particular interest, since their health before pregnancy can affect the health of their future children. Staff members from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will highlight data on health factors of women who want to have a child sooner compared to later. Learn what healthcare providers and public health professionals can do to address risk and protective factors before pregnancy, collectively known as preconception health.

Register now:

• 7:30am-8:30am
• 2:00pm-3:00pm

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Webinar: Top Ten Revenue Cycle and Charge Capture Issues - Part One

Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011; 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
Each year hospitals lose millions upon millions of dollars and unnecessarily expose themselves to compliance risks as a result of simple process issues. This presentation identifies 10 issues which impact financial viability from both revenue and compliance perspectives. Participants will learn how to identify the issues that effect their facility and create a consistent, compliant revenue cycle.

The target audience is CEO, CFO, Coding, Business Office and Departmental leadership.

To register, click here.

Prevention of Falls in Older Adults – Public Comment Opportunity

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on the prevention of falls in older adults. This is the first time since 1996 that the Task Force is making a recommendation on this topic. To provide comments, click here. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendations statement is available until February 9.

Webinar: TrailBlazer Part A J4 Top Billing Errors

February 22, 2011; 12:00pm-1:00pm MST
Are you a provider having problems with claim submissions? This class, hosted by TrailBlazer, will cover the top Return to Provider (RTP) errors for Part A providers along with resolutions for each of them. For more information and to register, click here.

Phone-Based Care Management

AHRQ’s Health Care Innovations Exchange Web Site features an article on the benefits of using phone-based care management to help reduce medical costs and lead to improved patient care, medication adherence, and patient satisfaction. The featured innovations used a telephone-based approach to deliver care to specific patient populations. There are also quality tools to help clinicians better understand the use of telephone care to manage specific conditions. To find out more about these phone-based care management innovations and more visit the AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange website.

RHC Billing Guide for Preventative Services unde the Affordable Care Act

This Special Edition article by the Medicare Learning Network is based on Change Request (CR) 7038 and CR 7208, and it provides a billing guide for FQHCs and RHCs. It explains how RHCs should bill for certain preventive services under the Affordable Care Act. Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2011, coinsurance and deductible are not applicable for the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) provided by RHCs. However, to ensure coinsurance and deductible are not applied, detailed Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding must be provided for preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) with a grade of A or B. The Affordable Care Act also waives the deductible for planned colorectal cancer screening tests that become diagnostic.

$25 Million Available Through HUD Grants

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $25,750,000 will be available through the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) for rural housing and economic development activities. Single Purpose Grants fund projects proposing specific activities addressing a single need within a rural area. The maximum individual award within this category is $300,000. Covered activities include:

• Commissioning architectural & engineering plans
• Construction of innovative new housing units
• Demolition and/or rehabilitation of existing housing units to increase sustainability and/or energy efficiency
• Land acquisition
• Revolving loan programs and microlending programs to establish or grow local businesses and create jobs
• Direct financial assistance in the form of grants, loans and funding for Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) for affordable housing, entrepreneurship and economic development leading to job opportunities

Because many rural health entities, such as small rural hospitals, are important rural economic engines and address poverty issues within their communities, they are ideal candidates to receive a Single Purpose Grant. If you apply for a grant, CRHC’s Colorado STRIDES program could help you obtain assistance in measuring the economic impact of your project.

For more information, please click here.

Webinar Series: 2011 AgriSafe Network

February 2, 2011
Health Reform Can Mean Improving Health of Rural People - Session Link

February 24, 2011
Falls and Aging Farmers: Prevalence and Prevention - Session Link

March 23, 2011
Pesticides and Farm Worker Health - Session Link

April 6, 2011
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC): Practical Resources for You and the People You Serve - Session Link

For the most up-to-date information on the webinars and directions to log in, please click here.

Webinar: 340B Drug Pricing Program Compliance Strategies

February 9, 2011; 12:00-1:00MST
Join Compliance 360 for this presentation with Matt Vogelien, a Director in Wellspring+Stockamp, Huron Healthcare’s Compliance & Investigations Practice, as he provides an overview of the 340B Program, examines the compliance requirements, and discusses practical, hands-on compliance strategies for 340B covered entities. For more information and to register, click here.

More Part A Claims Processing Issues Updates

Following is updated information regarding claims incorrectly editing for the Present on Admission (POA) indicator. These are national issues and CMS has been working diligently with the FISS maintainer to resolve these issues.

• Reason Codes 34929 and 34931: Claims receiving these reason codes are related to the POA indicator.
  • Only acute Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) providers (Type of Bill (TOB) 11X) are required to submit POA indicators on Medicare claims. The following inpatient hospitals are exempt from reporting POA indicators and should not report POAs on their claims:
    
    • Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)
    • Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTHCs)
    • Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs)
    • Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs)
    • Cancer hospitals
    • Children’s hospitals
    • Maryland waiver hospitals
  • IPPS hospitals will not report a POA indicator of “1” when billing an exempt diagnosis code on claims submitted via Direct Data Entry (DDE), hard copy or Version 5010. This field must be left blank. TrailBlazer will accept 5010 claims beginning April 1, 2011.
  • IPPS hospitals must report a POA indicator of “1” when billing an exempt diagnosis code on claim submitted via Version 4010A1
  • IPPS hospitals that submitted claims prior to January 1, 2011, or that had a claim Return to Provider (RTP) via DDE after January 1, 2011, that includes a POA indicator of “1,” and need to correct the claim, must submit a new claim via Electronic Media Claims (EMC) (with a POA of “1”) or via DDE (with a blank POA)
  • These changes only affect the billing of exempt ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. A list of categories and codes exempt from the diagnosis POA requirement is included in CR 7024, 5010 Implementation — Changes to Present on Admission (POA) Indicator “1” and the K3 Segment.
• Reason Code 34929: Contractors have received an emergency update from FISS. This update is currently being tested and claims held in location SM30PA will be released following successful testing.
• Reason Code 34931: CMS has instructed contractors to deactivate reason code 34931. Claims held in location SM30PA will be released for processing. Providers should F9 affected claims in RTP status.
• Reason Code 34919: CMS has instructed contractors to deactivate reason code 34919. Claims held in location SMFPLG will be released for processing. This reason code is related to the POA indicator and was incorrectly editing claims submitted by IPF, IRF and LTCH providers. Providers should F9 affected claims in RTP status.

These issues will be updated under “Part A Claims Processing/Payment Issues” on the Reports Web page.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program All Grantee Meeting Webcasts Now Available

In August 2010, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau held its All Grantee Meeting for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The meeting was an opportunity to provide technical assistance (TA) and training to Ryan White grantees and their HIV planning bodies to improve management and the provision of quality care for persons living with HIV. These meetings occur every 2 years and represent the largest gathering of HIV/AIDS providers in the nation.

Nine webcasts from Ryan White All Grantee Meeting workshops, along with the slides from the presentations, were produced and are now available on the TARGET Center website - a repository for TA tools and resources for the Ryan White community. The recorded workshops are listed below.

• Assessment of Clinician Workforce Capacity Issues
• Bridging the Gap Between Prevention and Treatment
• Expanding Complex Care: The ECHO Model
• HRSA Oral Health Programs: Improving Access
• The Border AETC Experience: Lessons Learned
• Using Electronic Networks of Care
• Lessons Learned Using Technology in Rural Settings
• Improving Quality at the Network Level
• Conversion to Electronic Records: One Program’s Perspective

To view the webcasts, click here.

CRHC Regional CAH Quality Improvement Workshops – Save the Date!

• April 7, 2011; Craig, CO
• April 12, 2011; Yuma, CO
• April 14, 2011; Walsenburg, CO

Please join the Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) for our 2011 Regional CAH Quality Improvement Workshops. As part of CRHC’s ongoing quality management coaching and training series for Colorado CAHs, these sessions provide an opportunity for participants to learn about quality and performance improvement activities in an interactive educational setting that they can then take back and implement in their own CAHs. These workshops, geared towards CAH Quality Directors, will provide education, updates, and a forum for networking and sharing QI strategies. More details and registration information will be available soon.

5th National Medicare RAC Summit

March 9-11, 2011; Washington, D.C.
The 5th National Medicare RAC Summit will feature a special Preconference Boot Camp for Small Hospitals and CAHs organized and chaired by national training and consulting expert Day Egusquiza, President of AR Systems, and co sponsored by the National Rural Health Resource Center, led by Executive Director Terry Hll. The RAC Summit will offer both onsite and online participation, as well as a second, advanced preconference on coding issues in addition to the Boot Camp; concurrent sessions on Medicare and Medicaid RACs, respectively; leading national keynote speakers; and the popular Medicare RAC Certificate Program. Cost:

• Preconference I – Medicare RAC Boot Camp for Small and Critical Access Hospitals $495
• Preconference II -- Advanced Coding Issues in Program Integrity $495
• Conference Registration (CAHs) $595 (online $395)

For more information, click here.

Webinar: Revenue Cycle Tips to Improve Your Physician Practice's Bottom Line

Thursday, February 10, 2011; 2:00pm-3:30pm ET
The revenue cycle is one of the most neglected areas in a medical practice and is also an answer to your improvement questions.  We will also help you identify weaknesses, take inventory of your own policies and procedures and guide you through the complete revenue cycle.  To register:

1. Register Online ($195.00)
2. Call 502.814.1180
3. Visit the link in the confirmation email you will receive

Learning Objectives

• 5 revenue leaks in daily clinical operations
• 3 revenue leaks in the billing process that will increase revenue and decrease days in A/R
• 5 ways that improved documentation and coding will increase revenue
• How all of the above also improves compliance
• Ways of increasing revenue via government incentive programs such as PQRI

QHI Back to Basics Webinar

February 3, 2011; 1:00-2:00 MST
All QHi users are invited to attend. During this session QHi will review the new Portal then walk through the basics of QHi with a focus on running reports. Quality Health Indicators (QHi) is a benchmarking tool geared towards CAHs and rural hospitals under 50 beds. QHi is available to Colorado CAHs at no charge through CRHC’s Flex grant. For more information, contact jd@coruralhealth.org.

Amendment to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2011: Voluntary Advance Care Planning

On January 10, CMS published in the Federal Register a notice to rescind the addition and definition of voluntary advance care planning as a specified element of the annual wellness visit that was finalized in the 2011 MPFS final rule. To access the notice, click here.

Part A Claims Processing Issues Update

A system fix was implemented in the Medicare claims processing system January 14, 2011. Claims suspended in locations SM30PA, SMFPL2 and SMFPL3, as indicated below, will be released for processing in this evening’s (January 18, 2011) claims processing cycle.

• Reason Codes 34919, 34929 and 34931: A system fix was implemented January 14, 2011, and claims will be released for processing.Claims receiving these reason codes are editing in error and are related to the Present on Admission (POA) indicator. Claims will suspend in location SM30PA. This is a national issue.
• Reason Code 31608: A system fix was implemented January 14, 2011, and claims will be released for processing. Reason code 31608 is editing in error indicating there is Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) involvement coding on the claim when there is not. Claims will suspend to location SMFPL2. This is a national issue.
• Reason Code 36111 or 36222: A system fix was implemented January 14, 2011, and claims will be released for processing. End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) claims are editing in error (Return to Provider (RTP)) with reason code 36111 or 36222 for no Method 1 or Method 2 on file for home dialysis patients prior to January 1, 2011; however, there is a method selection on file. Claims will suspend to location SMFPL3. This is a national issue.

Review these issues on the “Part A Claims Processing/Payment Issues” Reports webpage.

Immunization Resources

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recently released its January 2011 issue of Needle Tips, for all healthcare professionals who give vaccines. Also available is Vaccinate Adults, an abbreviated version of Needle Tips (with the pediatric content removed) for those who work only with adult patients. These online publications contain ready-to-print educational materials for healthcare professionals and their patients, updated immunization schedules, vaccine news highlights, and IAC’s popular “Ask the Experts” question-and-answer column with answers by CDC experts William Atkinson, MD, MPH, and Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH. For more information, click here.

TrailBlazer Ask-the-Contractor Q&A

TrailBlazer has published Q&A from the December 14, 2010 Ask-the-Contractor teleconference. To access the Q&A document, click here.

Free Desks

JSI Research & Training Institute in Denver has ten office desks that they would like to donate to an organization that can use them.  Pick up and transportation would be the responsibility of the recipient.  If you are interested, please contact Callie Preheim at cpreheim@jsi.com.

Current Issues in Immunization Webinar

February 3, 2011; 10:00am-11:00am MST
Register now for the February 3, 2011 Current Issues in Immunization Net-conference (CIIN) - "Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons 0 - 18 Years." Hosted by Dr. William Atkinson, this net-conference will cover the updated 2011 immunization schedule for children and teens newborn - 18 years of age.

Webinar: Preparing to Engage with Legislators & Policymakers

Thursday, January 13, 2011; 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
You are invited to participate in NOSORH’s webinar, Preparing to Engage with Legislators & Policymakers.  Topics include:

• Learn how to educate elected officials
• Tell your story: SORH talking points and messages for legislators
• What you can do: Planned Capitol Hill visits and contacts with key legislators and staff
• Discussion

To register, click here, then click the "Register" button, fill out the registration form, and click "Submit".

Succession Planning for Rural Hospitals

January 26, 2011; 1:00MST; Cost: $99
Succession planning in health care organizations is incredibly important as they rely heavily on qualified and inspired leadership to guide the organization towards fulfilling the organizational mission and goals. Unfortunately, due to time and budget constraints, adequate succession planning does not happen as frequently as it should. Join Wayne Hellerstedt, former hospital administrator, for this Rural Health Innovations webinar as he discusses the innovative and proactive succession plan he developed to train his successor and how that plan has significantly benefited both the hospital and its new CEO. For more information and to register, click here.

Free UR Physician Review Tool

Each month the Revenue Cycle Institute publishes a free sample tool or form for readers. This month’s free tool is a sample UR physician review form. To access the free tool, click here.

Webinar: Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder

Tuesday, March 1, 2011; 11:30 am - 1:00 pm MT
CHAMPS is pleased to announce an upcoming distance learning event, “Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder: How to Tell the Difference and Why it Matters”. Please see below or check out the online flyer for full details about this webcast.

By the end of this event, participants will:

1. Understand the commonalities and differences between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
2. Be prepared to detect and accurately diagnose these conditions.
3. Understand treatment options, particularly in integrated systems.

1.5 hours of CME credit will be offered for this webcast; determination of credit is pending.  This event will take place online, and advance registration is required. To register, please click here or visit . Handouts and log-in information will be emailed to all registrants the day before the event.

Cost:

• Attendance is free for participants from CHAMPS Organizational Members, including CME credit
• Non-member participants will be billed $75/webcast link and $15/person for CME credit after the event

CMS Rural Health Open Door Forum

Tuesday, January 25, 2011; 2:00PM ET
Please dial in at least 15 minutes prior to call start time.

• To participate by phone: 800.837.1935, Conference ID 29119737
• To access an audio recording of the call: 800.642.1687, Conference ID 29119737 (please note that the recording will be available beginning two hours after the call has ended and will expire after three business days)

For ODF schedule updates, E-Mailing List registration and Frequently Asked Questions, please visit their website.

Important Updates Concerning all Part A Services

The following issues have been added to the “Part A Claims Processing/Payment Issues” on the Reports Web page. This site will be updated when new information is received or a resolution implemented. Providers are encouraged to F9 affected claims in RTP status so they will suspend in the applicable locations until a system correction is received.

• Reason Code 17801: Claims receiving this reason code are editing incorrectly for invalid diagnosis or procedure code. These claims will suspend to location SM30PA. There is a workaround to correct claims receiving this reason code. Providers can correct affected claims in RTP status by removing the POA indicator in the 10th diagnosis code field and pressing F9.
• Reason Codes 34919, 34929 and 34931: Claims receiving these reason codes are editing in error and are related to the Present on Admission (POA) indicator. Claims will suspend in location SM30PA. This is a national issue and has been reported to the FISS maintainer for research.
• Reason Code 34929 Education Note: For 5010 implementation, Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) hospitals will no longer report the POA indicator of “1.” For Calendar Year (CY) 2011, a POA indicator of “1” cannot be submitted via Direct Data Entry (DDE). A hospital that needs to correct a claim via DDE that included a POA of “1” and was submitted prior to January 1, 2011, will need to submit an 837i or a new DDE claim. Note: The POA indicator “1” is still valid on 4010A1 claims. Refer to MLN Matters® article MM7024 for more information.
• Reason Code 31608: This code is editing in error indicating there is Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) involvement coding on the claim when there is not. This is a national issue and has been reported to the FISS maintainer for research. Affected claims will suspend to location SMFPL2.
• Reason Code 36111 or 36222: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) claims are editing in error (Return to Provider (RTP)) with reason code 36111 or 36222 for no Method 1 or Method 2 on file for home dialysis patients prior to January 1, 2011; however, there is a method selection on file. Affected claims will suspend to location SMFPL3. Note: For some providers, claims were rejecting prior to entering the Medicare claims processing system. These claims will now be accepted. This is a national issue and has been reported to the FISS maintainer for research.

CAH Quality Network Webinar

The next bi-monthly CAH Quality Network webinar is scheduled for January 20 from 11:00am-12:00pm. This network is a forum for CAH Quality Directors to share information, updates, questions and concerns. Information will be sent out to Quality Directors prior to the webinar. For more information, email jd@coruralhealth.org.

Medicare Provider Directory

The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) has learned that the CMS Office of External Affairs and Beneficiary Notices plans to update information on the Medicare Compare Provider Directory website with November 2010 PECOS data by mid January 2011.  If a provider was enrolled in the PECOS system by November, then he/she should be listed in the provider directory after mid-January when the website is updated.

NARHC continues to make inquiries about this new database and seek assurances that RHC providers will be listed.  Please continue to keep us informed of any changes or continuing problems you may experience with this new CMS website.

Webinar: HRSA Patient Safety And Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative

January 13, 2011; 10:00am-11:00am MST
For the past two and a half years, HRSA’s Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative (PSPC) has been helping teams across the nation transform how they deliver care to their patients to achieve impressive results in patient safety and health status. The HRSA PSPC has launched open enrollment for organizations who want to still participate in the third year of this work. Join other leaders across the country and become a part of this breakthrough movement! HRSA will be offering quarterly informational webinars - the first will be on January 13th. See connection information below to join the webinar:

To access the audio portion:

• Call: 888.566.1385
• Conference number: PW2367263
• Audience passcode: 3064472

To access the net portion:

• Click here

You must access both the audio and net portions to participate on the call. To view more information about PSPC, please click here. To view a list of community based teams who are currently participating, please click here. If you have any questions, please email patientsafety@hrsa.gov.

New federal resources help hospitals plan, carry out and evaluate emergency preparedness exercises

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released a set of new resources to help hospital emergency planners plan, conduct, and evaluate exercises to prepare for emergencies. The Hospital Preparedness Exercises Guidebook is a resource guide designed to assist in the process of planning, conducting, and evaluating hospital preparedness exercises; the Hospital Preparedness Exercises: Atlas of Resources and Tools is a compendium of resources and tools, categorized by key features and with detailed descriptions; and the Hospital Preparedness Exercises Pocket Guide is a quick reference for hospital preparedness planners. These resources are designed to meet the needs of both accredited and unaccredited hospitals, ranging from acute care to critical access. They were developed by AHRQ in conjunction with researchers at Cornell University’s Weill College of Medicine as part of the National Hospital Preparedness Program. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response provided funding.

For more details on these and other emergency preparedness materials, please visit www.ahrq.gov/prep.

President Obama Signs the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010

On Wednesday, December 15, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 (MMEA). This new law prevents a scheduled payment cut for physicians who treat Medicare patients from taking effect. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased that this law has addressed key issues for beneficiaries and providers and we are actively engaged in implementing these changes.

CMS is also working to implement several important new provisions for Medicare beneficiaries made possible by the Affordable Care Act – the health reform law. In 2011:

• Beneficiaries who reach the prescription drug coverage gap, known as the donut hole, will receive a 50 percent discount when buying Part D-covered brand-name prescription drugs.
• Virtually all Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to receive many free preventive care services and a free annual wellness visit.

These provisions will improve care for Medicare beneficiaries and we encourage you to share this information with your patients. More information on these Affordable Care Act provisions can be found at Medicare.gov and at healthcare.gov. This site also contains a timeline and other key information about the new law and a highly praised insurance finder for coverage options in public and private insurance programs, which family members and friends of Medicare beneficiaries may find useful.

2011 Anesthesia Conversion Factors Now Available

The Anesthesia Conversion Factors file lists the conversion factors used to compute allowable amounts for anesthesia services under CPT codes 00100–01999. The 2011 anesthesia conversion factors are now available and can be accessed on the TrailBlazer Anesthesia Conversion Factors Web page. The anesthesia conversion factors for 2011 are listed by payment locality and are effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2011. For more information, click here.

Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers Billing Guide

This new CMS/TrailBlazer notice is based on Change Requests (CRs) 7038 and 7208 and provides a billing guide for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). It describes the information FQHCs are required to submit for CMS to develop and implement a Prospective Payment System (PPS) for Medicare FQHCs. It also explains how RHCs should bill for certain preventive services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Historically, RHCs’ and FQHCs’ billing instructions have been the same. However, effective January 1, 2011, the billing requirements will be different for each of these facility types. For more information, click here.

Flu Resources

The US Department of Health and Human Services Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships has developed flu resources that may be of assistance to you in your community-wide efforts to minimize the impact of influenza. These resources can be accessed electronically:

• Seasonal Flu Guide for Faith and Community organizations and leaders (4 page brief on flu facts, flu fighting action steps for leaders, ways to support vaccination)
• Faith and Communities Fight Flu bulletin insert (5 things community and congregational members can do to stop the flu, for bulletins, community notice boards etc.)

Thank you for your continuing efforts to improve the health of your communities.

Webinar: Simple Revenue Cycle Tips to Improve Your Physician Practice’s Bottom Line

Thursday, February 10, 2011; 2pm ET
It’s number time again. With some excitement about what the New Year may offer, we also endure the painful exercise of self-examination. How can you improve losses? What should you have paid more attention to? The revenue cycle is one of the most neglected areas in a medical practice and is also an answer to your improvement questions.

Quick survey: how many of you employ stringent auditing procedures? Quick fact: a recent MGMA survey estimated approximately $94 MILLION was reported in practice theft last year. Astounding, right? While this program is not designed for theft prevention, we will show you how a revenue cycle audit could help your practice avoid contributing to that astounding number. We will also help you identify weaknesses, take inventory of your own policies and procedures and guide you through the complete revenue cycle.

2011 Web Cast pricing $195.00

• Register now

Once your registration has been confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email message featuring a link for access to the Audio Web Cast.

Webinar: Measuring the Effectiveness of Your Compliance Program

January 12, 2011; 12:00-1:00 MST
Healthcare reform is bringing a new wave of focus on risk management and regulatory compliance. CMS is shifting from a focus on policies, procedures and retrospective audits, to a proactive focus on compliance program effectiveness and measuring the quality of outcomes. This change in focus is creating many new challenges for healthcare providers as they seek to measure and report on the effectiveness of their compliance programs. Join Compliance 360 for a presentation with Leah Guidry of Huron Consulting Group as she examines these new requirements and offers practical, hands-on guidance for measuring and proving the effectiveness of your compliance program. For more information and to register, click here.

Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance

This TrailBlazer job aid lists the Medicare Deductible and Coinsurance amounts for Inpatient, Lifetime Reserve, SNF, and Part B. To access the notice, click here.

Webinar: Chargemaster and Coding, Billing & Reimbursement for CAHs

January 13, 2011; 12:00-1:30MST; Cost $225
CAHs are cost-based reimbursed so those coding, billing and associated reimbursements differ from PPS hospitals. The coding and billing process along with the chargemaster and development of the cost-report are critical. A different philosophical approach to the chargemaster is needed with due consideration to CMS coding and billing requirements. For more information and to register, click here.

IHI Resources: Respectful Management of Serious Clinical Adverse Events

This first of its kind white paper developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) contains tools and resources to guide leaders in developing a clinical crisis management plan before they need it and a practical resource to guide their efforts in the absence of a plan. The risk of not responding to adverse events quickly and effectively include loss of trust, no learning or improvement, sending mixed messages, increased likelihood for regulatory action or lawsuits, and challenges by the media. Although this white paper focuses on serious clinical adverse events, the principles can be used to manage any adverse event, as well as other breaches, such as identity theft, behavioral issues, and other operating issues requiring respectful, effective crisis management. To access the white paper and other IHI resources on this topic, click here.

TrailBlazer Hospital Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference

January 12, 2011; 10:00am-12:00pm MST
ACTs provide a forum for providers to ask TrailBlazer specific questions concerning Medicare billing policies and procedures, identify provider issues and share information. TrailBlazer is conducting a Hospital ACT to discuss agenda items received from providers, Medicare updates and enhancements to the TrailBlazer Web site specific to acute, psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care hospitals. For more information and to register, click here.

CMS Expands Healthcare Provider Directory

CMS recently enhanced the Physician Directory tool at http://www.medicare.gov/ with new information about physicians and other healthcare workers in their communities and the services those professionals provide. The new feature, called Physician Compare, expands the doctor-specific information into the suite of informational tools for Medicare beneficiaries and other consumers. The new site, at www.medicare.gov/find-a-doctor, which was required by the Affordable Care Act of 2010, contains information about physicians enrolled in the Medicare program, which include Doctors of Medicine, Osteopathy, Optometry, Podiatric Medicine, and Chiropractic. The site also contains information about other types of health professionals who routinely care for Medicare beneficiaries, including nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, registered dietitians, physical therapists, physician assistants, and occupational therapists.

NEEDED: Endoscopy Equipment

Does your facility have endoscopy (colonoscopy and gastroscopy) equipment that you are looking to sell or donate?  St. Mary's Family Medicine Residency Program in Grand Junction is in need of equipment to get its endoscopy program up and running, and they are interested in your used or refurbished equipment.  Please contact Dr. Paul Simmons at pauldsimmons@gmail.com if this is something you could potentially help with.  Thank you!

CREATE Grant – Colorado Resource for Emergency and Trauma Education

CREATE assists private and public organizations in improving and expanding the emergency medical and trauma system in Colorado. Applicants must have as their purpose the provision of emergency medical and trauma services in Colorado to be eligible. This grant is intended to provide funding for education and training for emergency medical and trauma services. For more information, click here.

Apply now for funding of up to $50,000 for rural health infrastructure projects!

The deadlines have been set for the fourth cycle of the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program, with notice of intent to apply forms (short online form) due on January 14, 2011 and applications due on March 9, 2011. Organizations that are located outside of Colorado’s urbanized areas that provide outpatient primary care services—including medical, oral, and mental health services—are eligible to apply. Grants will be funded for projects that support the rural health infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of rural entities to provide outpatient primary care services now and in the future. This grant program is funded by the UnitedHealth Group with $2 million in grant funds available for this grant cycle. The maximum award amount is $50,000 per applicant.

Contact Shelly Collings at sc@coruralhealth.org or 720.248.2742 with questions.

Physician Signature Requirements

January 11, 2011; 9:00am-10:30am MST
Are your Medicare dollars being recouped due to documentation errors? Missing and illegible physician signatures are among the most common documentation errors identified by medical review contractors. This TrailBlazer course will provide an overview of the physician signature guidelines required by CMS and allow providers to ask questions. Please join TrailBlazer Provider Outreach and Education and Medical Review to learn more about signature requirements and maximize your reimbursement. For more information and to register, click here.

Webinar: Utilization Management for Colorado CAHs

January 21, 2011; 11:00am-12:30pm
Sound Utilization Management (UM) and Utilization Review (UR) practices are integral to assuring optimal healthcare delivery and positive patient outcomes and achieving successful results during activities such as RAC audits. All CAHs must have a UM/UR Plan that describes the process used to review all services provided by the institution and by the members of the medical staff. During this webinar, presented by CRHC, experts from the Joffit Group, will discuss the components involved in setting up an efficient UM/UR process and will review CRHC's Utilization Management Resource for CAHs: a concise, easy-to-use tool for hospital providers and staff that explains the role of UM/UR in various CAH settings including: Inpatient, Outpatient, Observation, and Swing Bed.  For more information and to register, click here.

Rural Health Research and Policy Centers: Ambulatory Surgery Centers

This report and policy brief analyze the relationship between the proximity of freestanding ambulatory surgery centers to rural community hospitals and hospital financial performance. To access the report, click here.