Hello Everyone,
Please enjoy the information contained in this edition of Frontier Focus. Please be sure to share it with your members, colleagues, providers and office billing staff. Thank you for your continued efforts to broadcast Medicare information to the providers in Region VIII.
Table of Contents
1. REMINDER: Special Open Door Forum on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding: Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully!
2. Get Ready for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding!
3. Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend
4. MEDICARE Provider Enrollment Reminder For Suppliers Of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics And Supplies
5. DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation Deadline Coming In October 2009!
6. Encore Available for the Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20, 2009
7. CMS Updates Ambulatory Surgery Center Payment Information for Value-Driven Health Care
8. MEDICARE Provider Enrollment Reminder For Physicians, Non-Physician Practitioners and Group Practices
9. THIRD National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
10. Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency Preparedness Questions and Answers
11. Analysis of 2006-2007 Home Health Case-Mix Change" Final Report
12. Calendar Year (CY) 2009 Home Health PPS (HH PPS) Personal Computer (PC) Pricer Update
13. Important Update on Status of the Revised HHABN, Form CMS-R-296
14. Request for Resubmission of Comments on Two Medicare Program Rules (CMS-1413-P and CMS-1414-P)
15. New from the Medicare Learning Network
16. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. REMINDER: Special Open Door Forum on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding: Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully!
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum:
Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Bidders’ Conference:
Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
2:00 pm-3:00 pm Eastern Time
Conference Call Only
Please join us for the second in a series of eight Special Open Door Forum (ODF) bidders’ conferences for the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program. At this Special ODF, we will provide an overview of the competitive bidding areas (CBAs), product categories, and important rules to remember when submitting your bid(s). In addition, we will discuss eligibility requirements such as supplier standards, subcontracting, licensure, bonding, and accreditation. We will also provide an overview of special rules for physicians and treating practitioners, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals.
Reminder: Registration for user IDs and passwords is open. It’s important for suppliers to register early to avoid delays in accessing the online bidding system when bidding opens.
Background:
On August 3, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) issued the bidding timeline for the Round 1 Rebid of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program and initiated a comprehensive bidder education campaign. CMS’ Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) is the focal point for bidder education. Please visit the CBIC's dedicated website, www.dmecompetitivebid.com, for important information, including bidding rules, user guides, frequently asked questions, policy fact sheets, checklists, and bidding information charts. The CBIC toll-free help desk, 1‑877‑577‑5331, is open to help bidders with all of their questions and concerns. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for e-mail updates on the home page of the CBIC website.
We look forward to your participation.
Special Open Door Participation Instructions:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 23044340
Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning Friday, September 11, 2009.
For Open Door Forum schedule updates, E-Mailing list subscriptions, and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/ .
Thank you for your interest in CMS Open Door Forums.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Get Ready for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding!
The Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS)
Competitive Bidding Program Round 1 Rebid is Coming Soon!!
Summer 2009
Ø CMS announces bidding schedule/schedule of education events
Ø CMS begins bidder education campaign
Ø Bidder registration period to obtain user ID and passwords begins
Fall 2009
Ø Bidding begins
If you are a supplier interested in bidding, prepare now – don’t wait!
Ø UPDATE YOUR NSC FILES: DMEPOS supplier standard # 2 requires ALL suppliers to notify the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) of any change to the information provided on the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855S) within 30 days of the change. DMEPOS suppliers should use the 3/09 version of the CMS-855S and should review and update:
• The list of products and services found in section 2.D;
• The Authorized Official(s) information in sections 6A and 15; and
• The correspondence address in section 2A2 of the CMS-855S.
This is especially important for suppliers who will be involved in the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. These suppliers must ensure the information listed on their supplier files is accurate to enable participation in this program. Information and instructions on how to submit a change of information may be found on the NSC Web site (http://www.palmettogba.com/nsc) and by following this path: Supplier Enrollment/Change of Information/Change of Information Guide.
Ø GET LICENSED: Suppliers submitting a bid for a product category in a competitive bidding area (CBA) must meet all DMEPOS state licensure requirements and other applicable state licensure requirements, if any, for that product category for every state in that CBA. Prior to submitting a bid for a CBA and product category, the supplier must have a copy of the applicable state licenses on file with the NSC. As part of the bid evaluation we will verify with the NSC that the supplier has on file a copy of all applicable required state license(s).
Ø GET ACCREDITED: CMS would like to remind DMEPOS suppliers that time is running out to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. Accreditation takes an average of 6 months to complete. DMEPOS suppliers should contact a CMS deemed accreditation organization to obtain information about the accreditation process and the application process. Suppliers must be accredited for a product category in order to submit a bid for that product category. CMS cannot contract with suppliers that are not accredited by a CMS-approved accreditation organization.
Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements along with a list of the accreditation organizations and those professionals and other persons exempted from accreditation may be found at the CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/01_Overview.asp .
Ø GET BONDED: CMS would like to remind DMEPOS suppliers that certain suppliers will need to obtain and submit a surety bond by the October 2, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked. Suppliers subject to the bonding requirement must be bonded in order to bid in the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. A list of sureties from which a bond can be secured is found at the Department of the Treasury’s “List of Certified (Surety Bond) Companies;” the web site is located at:
www.fms.treas.gov/c570/c570_a-z.html.
Visit the CMS website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/ for the latest information on the DMEPOS competitive bidding program.
# # # # #
DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming In October
Suppliers May Choose to Voluntarily Terminate Enrollment If They Do Not Plan To Comply
Medicare suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS), unless exempt, must be accredited and obtain a surety bond by October 1, 2009 and October 2, 2009, respectively.
If you have made the decision not to obtain accreditation or a surety bond when required, you may want to voluntarily terminate your enrollment in the Medicare program before the implementation dates above. You can voluntary terminate your enrollment with the Medicare program by completing the sections associated with voluntary termination on page 4 of the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855S). Once complete, you should sign, date and send the completed application to the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC). By voluntarily terminating your Medicare enrollment, you will preserve your right to re-enroll in Medicare once you meet the requirements to participate in the Medicare program.
If you do not comply with the accreditation and surety bond requirements and do not submit a voluntary termination, your Medicare billing privileges will be revoked. A revocation will bar you from re-enrolling in Medicare for at least one year after the date of revocation.
Suppliers who do not plan to stay enrolled in Medicare are strongly encouraged to notify their beneficiaries as soon as possible so the beneficiary can find another supplier.
For additional information regarding DMEPOS accreditation or the provisions associated with a surety bond, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the surety bond requirement can be found on the NSC’s FAQ page at http://www.palmettogba.com/nsc.
# # # # #
Take Action Now to Prepare for the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics,
and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program!
A Special Edition MLN Matters education article identifying steps suppliers should take in preparation for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program to ensure successful bidder registration is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0915.pdf.
The article highlights specific sections of the CMS-855S, Medicare Enrollment Application, where the accuracy of the Authorized Official information and correspondence mailing address are critical for successful bidder registration. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urges suppliers planning to bid in the 2009 bidding cycle to read this article and make sure their most recent CMS-855S submission is still current and accurate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend
The CMS registration system for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program will be unavailable due to routine maintenance from Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time until Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) toll-free help desk will close for the Labor Day holiday on Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The CBIC website, www.DMECompetitiveBid.com, and the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit will be available for registration and bidding information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. MEDICARE Provider Enrollment Reminder For Suppliers Of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics And Supplies
With the implementation of the surety bond requirements for certain suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) in October 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds DMEPOS suppliers that each practice location of a DMEPOS supplier must be enrolled in the Medicare program. Each practice location of a DMEPOS supplier is required by Medicare regulations to be uniquely identified; as a result, each practice location must have its own unique National Provider Identifier (NPI) and its own Medicare-assigned Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN). With the exception described below in the IMPORTANT NOTE, there should be a 1-to-1 relationship between a DMEPOS supplier’s NPI and its PTAN. The PTAN is assigned to a DMEPOS supplier by the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) upon its enrollment in the Medicare program. (The PTAN has previously been referred to as the NSC Number.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: DMEPOS suppliers who are sole proprietorship business structures with more than one practice location must ensure that each location is enrolled in Medicare. Each practice location would be assigned a PTAN upon its enrollment. However, as a sole proprietorship, the business is legally one and the same as the person who is the sole proprietor and, therefore, like any individual, is eligible for only a single NPI.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation Deadline Coming In October 2009!
Medicare suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS), unless exempt, must be accredited and secure a surety bond by October 1, 2009 and October 2, 2009, respectively.
What you need to do if you have already obtained DMEPOS accreditation from an approved accrediting organization
If you have already been notified by an approved accrediting organization that each of your practice locations have been accredited, you do not need to take any additional actions to notify the National Supplier Clearinghouse that your DMEPOS supplier practice locations have been accredited..
What you need to do if you are in the process of being accredited
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages all DMEPOS suppliers currently in the midst of the accreditation process to correct all outstanding deficiencies on your accreditation report so that a site visit or accreditation decision can be rendered by the October 1, 2009 deadline. Moreover, DMEPOS suppliers who obtain accreditation after September 1, 2009 but before October 1, 2009, should submit proof of accreditation to NSC via submission of an amendment to their CMS-855S (Medicare Enrollment Application). This form is available on our website. Sections 1, 2 and 15 or 16 should be completed. In particular section 2G should provide the accreditation information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6. Encore Available for the Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20, 2009
Did you miss the Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20? You can still listen to the exchange using the Encore feature – Dial 800-642-1687, conference identification is H1N1. Also – you can continue to send questions and comment to H1N1.listening@hhs.gov .
While questions cannot be answered individually, these questions will help shape the content and subject matter of the next call, scheduled for September 14.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. CMS Updates Ambulatory Surgery Center Payment Information for Value-Driven Health Care
To support the delivery of high-quality, efficient health care and enable consumers to make more informed health care decisions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making cost and quality data available to all Americans. As part of this initiative, Medicare posted information in 2007 and 2008 about the payments it made during the previous year for common and elective procedures and services provided by Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), Hospital Outpatient Departments, and Physicians.
The Hospital information is posted on the Hospital Compare Website where it can be viewed along with hospital quality information. The Hospital compare website may be found at www.medicare.gov.
On August 28, 2009, Medicare posted an update to the Ambulatory Surgery Center data. Hospital Outpatient Department and Physician payment data will be updated later this year. The information is being displayed in the same format as in previous years, updated with calendar year (CY) 2008 data. The posting updates may be found at: www.cms.hhs.gov/HealthCareConInit/.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8. MEDICARE Provider Enrollment Reminder For Physicians, Non-Physician Practitioners and Group Practices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reminds physicians and non-physician practitioners, and group practices that they are required to notify their designated Medicare contractor regarding (a) a change in ownership, (2) a change in practice location, including a change in reassignment of benefits, or (3) any final adverse action (e.g., license suspension/revocation or felony conviction) within 30 days of the reportable event. By reporting changes as soon as possible, but within 30 days of the reportable event, physicians, non-physician practitioners, and group practices will help to ensure that their claims are processed correctly.
Physicians, non-physician practitioners, and group practices are also encouraged to update their Medicare enrollment information on file with the Medicare contractor if the physician, non-physician practitioner, or group practice has not done so since November 2003.
Physicians, non-physicians practitioners, and group practices can use CMS’ electronic enrollment process, known as Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), to enroll or make a change in an existing enrollment record.
Information regarding physician, non-physician practitioner, and group practice reporting responsibility and other informational material regarding provider enrollment can be found on the Medicare Provider/Supplier Enrollment web site, www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll, and in the documents available for downloading in the Downloads section of each web page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9. THIRD National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
Third National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
Conference call details:
Date: September 9, 2009
Conference Title: Third National Medicare FFS Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will present the third in a series of National Education Conference Calls focused on Medicare’s Fee-for-Service (FFS) implementation of HIPAA Version 5010. The presentation will cover Medicare FFS error handling transactions (TA1, 999, and 277CA), planned use of each transaction and applicable rules and exceptions for the Medicare FFS program. The presentation is geared to billing software programmers or developers that reside within provider organizations. A Question & Answer (Q&A) session will follow the presentation that will give participants an opportunity to ask questions of CMS’ subject matter experts.
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation.
Registration will close at 2:00 p.m. ET on September 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
1. To register for the call participants need to go to:
http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/090909
2. Fill in all required data.
3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
4. Click "Register".
5. You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
6. A few days prior to the call (not before September 6th), check the Educational Resources page on CMS’ 5010 web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Versions5010andD0/40_Educational_Resources.asp to obtain a copy of the presentation that will be used during the call.
Learn more about 5010, visit CMS’ dedicated page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Versions5010andD0/ on the web.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10. Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency Preparedness Questions and Answers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency Preparedness Questions and Answers (Qs & As). The Emergency Qs & As are posted in a document at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Emergency/10_PandemicFlu.asp. These Qs & As include a section applicable to the H1N1 flu virus.
The document is dated to reflect the posting date. As additions and changes are made to the document, the download name will change to reflect the date. Please take note that these Qs & As do not address a Section 1135 waiver situation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11. Analysis of 2006-2007 Home Health Case-Mix Change" Final Report
CMS is posting Abt Associates' "Analysis of 2006-2007 Home Health Case-Mix Change" final report. This report describes updates to the home health case-mix change analysis since the CY 2008 HH PPS Final Rule, up to and through the recently published CY 2010 proposed rule (CMS-1560-P).
For additional information on Home Health Agency (HHA), visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/hha.asp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12. Calendar Year (CY) 2009 Home Health PPS (HH PPS) Personal Computer (PC) Pricer Update
The CY 2009 Home Health PPS (HH PPS) PC Pricer requires a revised release level. The HH PPS PC Pricer has been updated as of August 27, 2009. If you use the HH PPS PC Pricer, go to the web page, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/05_HH.asp, under the "Downloads" section and download the latest version of the PC Pricer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
13. Important Update on Status of the Revised HHABN, Form CMS-R-296
The Home Health Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (HHABN), Form CMS-R-296 is currently undergoing the final stages of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). OMB issued an extension of the expiration date on the current HHABN pending approval of the revised form.
Home Health Agencies should continue using the existing HHABN until the revised HHABN receives final OMB approval at which time it will be posted on the CMS website along with the revised instructions and the date for its mandatory use at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/BNI/03_HHABN.asp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
14. Request for Resubmission of Comments on Two Medicare Program Rules (CMS-1413-P and CMS-1414-P)
Electronic Public Comment Transmission Error for Two Medicare Program Rules (CMS-1413-P and CMS-1414-P) -- ACTION
The following is a notice that appeared in the Federal Register requesting resubmission of comments on the CY 2010 Physician Fee Schedule or CY 2010 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed rule before the close of the comment period for these rules (that is, August 31, 2009) if comments were originally submitted via www.regulations.gov during the period from July 26, 2009 through July 30, 2009.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
42 CFR Parts 410, 411, 414, 415, 485, and 489
[CMS-9061-N]
Electronic Public Comment Transmission Error for Two Medicare Program Rules
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Request for resubmission of comments.
SUMMARY: This document requests that the public resubmit their comments on the CY 2010 Physician Fee Schedule or CY 2010 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed rule before the close of the comment period for these rules (that is, August 31, 2009) if their comments were originally submitted via www.regulations.gov during the period from July 26, 2009 through July 30, 2009.
DATES: To be assured consideration, comments on the CY 2010 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule published July 13, 2009 (74 FR 33520) and the CY 2010 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed rule published July 20, 2009, (74 FR 35232) must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on August 31, 2009.
ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code--
· CMS-1413-P (for the CY 2010 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule); or
· CMS-1414-P (for the CY 2010 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System/Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed rule).
Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.
You may submit comments in one of four ways (please choose only one of the ways listed):
1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on either of these proposed rules via http://www.regulations.gov. Enter one of the following docket identification numbers in the keyword search field:
a. CMS-2009-0058, for the CY 2010 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule.
b. CMS‑2009‑0060, for the CY 2010 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed rule.
2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address ONLY:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services,
Attention: CMS-1413-P or CMS-1414-P
P.O. Box 8013,
Baltimore, MD 21244-8013.
Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail. You may send written comments to the following address ONLY:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services,
Attention: CMS-1413-P or CMS-1414-P,
Mail Stop C4-26-05,
7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
4. By hand or courier. If you prefer, you may deliver (by hand or courier) your written comments before the close of the comment period to either of the following addresses:
a. For delivery in Washington, DC--
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services,
Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building,
200 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20201
(Because access to the interior of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not readily available to persons without Federal government identification, commenters are encouraged to leave their comments in the CMS drop slots located in the main lobby of the building. A stamp-in clock is available for persons wishing to retain a proof of filing by stamping in and retaining an extra copy of the comments being filed.)
b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD--
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services,
7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
If you intend to deliver your comments to the Baltimore address, please call telephone number (410) 786‑9994 in advance to schedule your arrival with one of our staff members.
Comments mailed to the addresses indicated as appropriate for hand or courier delivery may be delayed and received after the comment period.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shawn Braxton, (410) 786-7292.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In January 2003, the interagency eRulemaking Program launched www.regulations.gov to provide citizens with an online portal to learn about proposed regulations and to have their comments shape the rulemaking process. For the first time ever, American citizens could access and comment on all proposed Federal regulations from a single web site.
A minor software problem resulted in the nontransmittal of some public comments from July 26, 2009 through July 30, 2009. The software error affected only a few Federal agencies, one of which was the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. We were informed that this error affected the receipt of public comments on the following proposed rules (1) Medicare Program; Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2010 (regulations.gov docket identification (ID) number (CMS‑2009‑0058)); and (2) Medicare Program; Proposed Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates; Proposed Changes to the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates (regulations.gov docket ID number (CMS‑2009‑0060).) (These proposed rules were published in the July 13, 2009 (74 FR 33520) and the July 20, 2009 (74 FR 35232 Federal Register respectively) Therefore, we are requesting that persons who transmitted comments on either of the aforementioned proposed rules during the period from July 26, 2009 through July 30, 2009 resubmit their comments before the close of the comment period for the proposed rules which is August 31, 2009. Persons wishing to resubmit comments may do so electronically, via mail, hand delivery, or courier as specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
We note that the software problem has been corrected and safeguards are now in place to ensure this error will not occur for future rulemaking documents.
The above notice was published in the proposed rule section of the Federal Register on August 26, 2009.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
15. New from the Medicare Learning Network
The revised publication titled ICD-10-CM/PCS: An Introduction Fact Sheet (August 2009), which was previously titled ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System Fact Sheet, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ICD-10factsheet2009.pdf . This fact sheet provides general information about the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including benefits of adopting the new coding system, structural differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS, and implementation planning recommendations.
The revised ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark (August 2009), which provides information about the ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including the benefits of adopting the coding system, recommended steps to be taken in order to plan and prepare for implementation of the coding system, and where additional information about the coding system can be found, is now available in print format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
Do You Know Someone Who Is Having Trouble Paying For Prescription Drugs?
Medicare Can Help!
If an individual has limited income and resources, they may qualify for extra help from Medicare. It could be worth over $3,300 in savings on prescription drug costs per year.
Encourage people with Medicare to file for Extra Help online: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply over the phone.
State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) offices can assist with the application. Find contact information for a local SHIP Counselor at http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp or by calling
1-800-MEDICARE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucretia James
Division for Medicare Health Plans Operations
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Region VIII
1600 Broadway, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 844-1568
lucretia.james@cms.hhs.gov
Professor Emeritus -- Dr. Tom Seymour from West Fargo, North Dakota -- Professor, Minot State University, MSU Faculty Regents Award (2015) -- PAST Peer Reviewer (Higher Learning Commission - Chicago); - Author and Presenter Board of Directors, SRT Communications, Inc and Minot City Alderman - Ward 5 (2010-June, 2016) PAST - Editor-in-Chief (North Dakota State Senator (2002-2010) 2017-Cass County Electric Cooperative- Board of Directors
No comments:
Post a Comment