Medicare Update

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. Update on Claims Processing for Ordering/Referring Providers



2. CMS Will Not Enforce Supervision Requirements for Outpatient Therapeutic Services in Critical Access Hospitals for CY 2010



3. REMINDER: Unavailability of Internet-Based PECOS Monday, March 29 through Monday, April 5



4. REMINDER – The Basic Introduction to ICD-10-CM National Provider Conference Call will be conducted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).



5. Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - Webinar Available



6. Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS)



7. Correction: Medicare Fee-For-Service Outreach Efforts



8. 2010 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Educational Products are Now Available!



9. 2010 Electronic Prescribing Incentive (eRx) Educational Products are Now Available!



10. New from the Medicare Learning Network



11. March 23rd is Diabetes Alert Day!



12. A new "twist" in the law makes it easier to save on your prescription drug costs.











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1. Update on Claims Processing for Ordering/Referring Providers



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will delay until January 3, 2011, the implementation of Phase 2 of Change Request (CR) 6417 (Expansion of the Current Scope of Editing for Ordering/Referring Providers for Claims Processed by Medicare Carriers and Part B Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)) and CR 6421 (Expansion of the Current Scope of Editing for Ordering/Referring Providers for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Supplier Claims Processed by Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs)).



This delay will give physicians and non-physician practitioners who order items or services for Medicare beneficiaries or who refer Medicare beneficiaries to other Medicare providers or suppliers sufficient time to enroll in Medicare or take the action necessary to establish a current enrollment record in Medicare prior to Phase 2 implementation.



Although enrolled in Medicare, many physicians and non-physician practitioners who are eligible to order items or services or refer Medicare beneficiaries to other Medicare providers or suppliers for services do not have current enrollment records in Medicare. A current enrollment record is one that is in the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) and contains the National Provider Identifier (NPI). Under Phase 2 of the above referenced CRs, a physician or non-physician practitioner who orders or refers and who does not have a current enrollment record that contains the NPI will cause the claim submitted by the Part B provider/supplier who furnished the ordered or referred item or service to be rejected.



CMS continues to urge physicians and non-physician practitioners who are enrolled in Medicare but who have not updated their Medicare enrollment record since November 2003 to update their enrollment record now. If these physicians and non-physician practitioners have no changes to their enrollment data, they need to submit an initial enrollment application which will establish a current enrollment record in PECOS.

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2. CMS Will Not Enforce Supervision Requirements for Outpatient Therapeutic Services in Critical Access Hospitals for CY 2010



Release Date: Monday, March 15, 2010

Release: CMS Will Not Enforce Supervision Requirements for Outpatient Therapeutic Services in Critical Access Hospitals for CY 2010

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will instruct all of its Medicare contractors not to evaluate or enforce the supervision requirements for therapeutic services provided to outpatients in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. CMS plans to revisit the issue of supervision for therapeutic services provided to hospital outpatients in CAHs through the annual rulemaking cycle for calendar year (CY) 2011. CMS continues to expect CAHs to fulfill all other Medicare program requirements when providing services to Medicare beneficiaries and when billing Medicare for those services. While CMS is instructing contractors not to enforce the supervision requirements in CAHs for CY 2010, we continue to emphasize quality and safety for services provided to all patients in CAHs.



This announcement can be found at on the link with the above title on the CMS Critical Access Hospital website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/cah.asp

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3. REMINDER: Unavailability of Internet-Based PECOS Monday, March 29 through Monday, April 5



Due to scheduled maintenance, Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) will be unavailable from Monday, March 29, 2010 through Monday, April 5, 2010. Internet-based PECOS allows physicians, non-physician practitioners, providers, and other suppliers (except suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies [DMEPOS]) to enroll or make a change to their existing Medicare enrollment information over the Internet.



If you would like to enroll or make a change to your existing Medicare enrollment record, you can do either of the following:



· Use Internet-based PECOS prior to March 29, 2010 or after April 5, 2010.



For more information about Internet-based PECOS, see the appropriate “Getting Started” guide available in the Downloads section at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/04_InternetbasedPECOS.asp#TopOfPage. There is a “Getting Started” guide for physicians and non-physician practitioners and one for provider and supplier organizations.



· Complete and submit the paper Medicare provider enrollment applications(s) (CMS-855) along with any required supporting documentation and mail the application(s) to the appropriate Medicare carrier, fiscal intermediary, or A/B MAC. The CMS-855 forms are downloadable from the CMS forms page: www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms.



If you need assistance or have questions, contact the Medicare fee-for-service contractor serving your State.

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4. REMINDER – The Basic Introduction to ICD-10-CM National Provider Conference Call will be conducted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).



Registration will close at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 22, 2010 or when available space has been filled.



This conference call will provide an overview of ICD-10-CM/PCS requirements and a basic introduction to ICD-10-CM. The following topics will be discussed:

· Requirement to report ICD-10-CM/PCS codes for services provided on or after October 1, 2013.

· ICD-9-CM codes will not be accepted after October 1, 2013 (there will not be a grace period).

· Benefits of ICD-10-CM.

· Key similarities and differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.

· General structure and characteristics of ICD-10-CM.

· New features in ICD-10-CM.

· Setting the record straight about common ICD-10-CM myths and misperceptions.

· Impact of ICD-10-CM on medical record documentation.



Registration information and discussion materials for this conference call can be accessed at

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD10/07_CMS_Sponsored_Calls.asp .

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5. Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - Webinar Available



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has called a public meeting of the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. The Committee generally provides advice and recommendations concerning the adequacy of scientific evidence needed to determine whether certain medical items and services can be covered under the Medicare statute. This meeting will examine currently available evidence on the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) to manage anemia in patients who have chronic kidney disease. This meeting is open to the public in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)).

CMS is hosting a webinar for this meeting. CMS is piloting webinar technology for use in broadcasting future MEDCAC meetings. Webinar participants will be able to view presentations and will be connected to live audio. However, live video will not be streamed. Attendance is limited and requires registration. Registration will be closed at 5pm eastern time on March 22, 2010. Participants should be advised that the webinar is a listening only session; that is, no questions or interactions will be permitted and all lines will be muted.

Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Time: 7:45am -8:00am, Eastern (Webinar Login)
8:00am-4:30pm, Eastern (Live MEDCAC Meeting)

Please register by going to this link (there is no cost to register): https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/medcacesa/event/registration.html?preview=false . You will be required to develop a password. Passwords must be 8-32 characters, and contain at least one capital letter and one number.

Thank you,
The MEDCAC Team

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6. Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS)



Attention Fee-for-Service Providers and Suppliers -- Have You Responded?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to hear from you about your satisfaction with the services provided by the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) contractor that processes and pays your Medicare claims.

CMS is now conducting the fifth national administration of the Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS). The results of this annual survey are used by CMS to monitor trends, improve contractor oversight, and increase efficiency of the Medicare program. The MCPSS provides contractors with more insight into their provider communities and allows them to make process improvements based on provider feedback.

In January, CMS notified approximately 30,000 Medicare FFS providers and suppliers that they were randomly selected to participate in the 2010 study. CMS urges all selected health care providers and suppliers to take a few minutes to complete and return this important survey.

CMS recognizes that each provider and supplier’s time is limited; therefore, if you have been notified that you were selected to participate in this study and have not yet done so, we welcome you to designate a proxy who you believe to be the most knowledgeable person in your practice to answer the survey questions on your behalf. This person may be your management or billing personnel or other knowledgeable designee. You can designate a proxy to respond on your behalf by emailing the designated proxy’s name, telephone number, mailing and email addresses to SciMetrika (mcpss@scimetrika.com), the public health consulting firm, contracted by CMS to administer the MCPSS study. SciMetrika will then send survey instructions to the designee to facilitate a quick completion of the survey without interrupting your day-to-day operations.



If you prefer to personally respond to the survey questions yourself and no longer have your online survey tool access information or need help accessing the survey tool, please call the MCPSS Provider Helpline at 1-800-835-7012 or send an email to mcpss@scimetrika.com. Someone on the MCPSS team will be happy to assist you.



The views of every health care professional asked to participate in the 2010 study are very important to the success of this study, as each one of you represents many other organizations that are similar in size, practice type, and geographical location. Please complete and return your survey today. CMS is waiting to hear from you!

Please Note: Only providers and suppliers already notified that they have been randomly selected to take part in the 2010 MCPSS may participate in this study. A new random sample of providers and suppliers is selected annually to participate in the MCPSS study.

For more information about the MCPSS, please visit the CMS MCPSS website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcpss, or read the CMS MLN Matters Special Edition article at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1005.pdf featuring the survey.

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7. Correction: Medicare Fee-For-Service Outreach Efforts



Please see revised information below on how to access CMS accounts on Twitter.



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to break new ground to enhance our Medicare Fee-For-Service outreach efforts. CMS is now using the following social media outlets to get information out to our audience as fast as possible.





· LinkedIn: Join the CMS group at www.LinkedIn.com/in/CMSGov



· YouTube: Log on to the official CMS YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/CMSHHSGov to view several videos currently available and more to come in the upcoming months.



Clarification on How to Access CMS Accounts on Twitter



· Twitter: Follow CMS’ two accounts to get the latest updates on information you need know about CMS (including Medicare Learning Network updates) and Insure Kids Now.



1. For CMS & Medicare Learning Network updates, visit www.twitter.com/CMSGov

(Twitter handle = @CMSGov)



2. For Insure Kids Now updates, visit www.twitter.com/IKNGov

(Twitter handle = @IKNGov)

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8. 2010 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Educational Products are Now Available!



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the following updated 2010 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) educational products to the PQRI webpage at www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI on the CMS website.

2010 PQRI – Educational Resource Documents - Several new educational resource documents for 2010 PQRI are now available on the "Educational Resources" link of the PQRI website and include the following:

· 2010 PQRI Electronic Health Record (EHR) Reporting Made Simple

· 2010 PQRI Tip Sheet: Satisfactorily Reporting 2010 PQRI Measures

· 2010 PQRI Program Tip Sheet: PQRI Made Simple – Reporting the Preventive Care Measures Group

· 2010 PQRI Fact Sheet: What's New for the 2010 PQRI



2010 EHR-Based Reporting Documents - Several documents related to EHR-based reporting for 2010 PQRI have been updated and are now available on the "Alternative Reporting Mechanisms" page of the PQRI website, which include the following:

· 2010 EHR Measure Specifications

· Updated 2010 EHR Measure Specification Release Notes

· Updated 2010 EHR Downloadable Resource Table

· Updated EHR Data Submission Specifications Utilizing QRDA Release Notes

· Updated EHR Data Submission Specifications Utilizing QRDA Header Errors and Edits

· Updated EHR Data Submission Specifications Utilizing QRDA Body Errors and Edits



2010 PQRI Measures Documents - Several documents related to reporting PQRI measures for 2010 have been updated and are now available on the "Measures Codes" page of the PQRI website, which include the following:

· 2010 Getting Started with Reporting of PQRI Measures Groups

· 2010 PQRI Implementation Guide

· 2010 PQRI QDC Categories

· 2010 PQRI Single Source Master Code Table

· 2010 PQRI Measures Specifications – Release Notes

Qualified Registries for 2010 PQRI and eRx Reporting - An updated list of registries that have become "qualified" to submit quality data to CMS on behalf of their eligible professionals for 2010 PQRI and eRx reporting is now available on the "Alternative Reporting Mechanisms" page of the PQRI website.

Qualified Electronic Health Record (EHR) Vendors for the 2010 PQRI and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Programs - An updated list of EHR vendors and their programs that have been "qualified" to submit quality data to CMS by eligible professionals for 2010 PQRI reporting is now available on the "Alternative Reporting Mechanisms" page of the PQRI website.

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9. 2010 Electronic Prescribing Incentive (eRx) Educational Products are Now Available!



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the following updated 2010 Electronic Prescribing Incentive (eRx) Program educational products to the eRx webpage at www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive on the CMS website.

2010 eRx – Educational Resource Documents - Several new educational resource documents for 2010 eRx are now available on the “Educational Resources” link of the eRx website and include the following:

· 2010 eRx Incentive Program Fact Sheet: What’s New for the 2010 eRx Incentive Program

· 2010 eRx Incentive Program Made Simple Fact Sheet



2010 EHR-Based Reporting Documents - Several documents related to EHR-based reporting for 2010 eRx have been updated and are now available on the "Alternative Reporting Mechanism" page of the eRx website, which include the following:

· 2010 EHR Downloadable Resource

· Qualified Registries for 2010 PQRI and eRx Reporting

Qualified Electronic Health Record (EHR) Vendors for the 2010 PQRI and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Programs

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10. New from the Medicare Learning Network



The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Marketing Brochure is now available in print format!



Do you want to be “in the know” when it comes to the Medicare Learning Network? Would you like to let your colleagues and employees in on a valuable secret that can help them with their Medicare fee-for-service business transactions? Then make sure to have plenty of print copies of the MLN Marketing Brochure on hand! This brochure details the various products and services offered by the MLN and is now available in print format. To place your order free of charge, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.” You can also view the Marketing Brochure online.



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Attention: Facilitators, Trainers, Educators, and Physicians!



The revised Medicare Resident, Practicing Physician, and Other Health Care Professional Training Facilitator's Kit (October 2009), which includes all the information and instructions necessary to prepare for and present a Medicare Resident, Practicing Physician, and Other Health Care Professional Training Program including instructions for facilitators, customization guide, a PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes, pre- and post-assessments, master assessment answer keys, and a course evaluation tool, is now available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network.



This kit contains the following materials: Medicare Physician Guide: A Resource for Residents, Practicing Physicians, and Other Health Care Professionals (CD-Rom format), Facilitator's Guide (CD-Rom format), and Medicare Resident, Practicing Physician, and Other Health Care Professional Training: An Introduction video (DVD format). To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”

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Revised Guided Pathways booklets now available for 1stt Quarter 2010!

The revised, Guided Pathways to Medicare Resources (1st Quarter 2010), are now available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare Learning Network. Guided Pathways leads Medicare Fee-For-Service providers through a variety of resources organized by topic. Quickly explore these 3 easy-to-navigate online guides to learn important Medicare policy and requirements. Guided Pathways information is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNEdWebGuide/30_Guided_Pathways.asp on the CMS website.



· Guided Pathways Basic Booklet January 2010 [PDF, 831KB] Includes updated information on Medicare resources that provide a fundamental overview of the Medicare program.

For all Medicare providers



· Guided Pathways Intermediate Part A Booklet January 2010 [PDF, 898KB] Includes updated information on Medicare Institutional Requirements, Reimbursement and Coverage, Medicare Services such as; clinical trials, health care cost report information, MedPAC, Medicare approved facilities, demonstrations, enrollment reports, Fee-For-Service statistics, the Medicare-Medicaid relationship, program rates and statistics, sustainable growth rates & conversion factors and telehealth.

For Medicare FFS Health Care Providers who enroll in Medicare using the 855 A form



· Guided Pathways Intermediate Part B Booklet January 2010 [PDF, 1MB] Includes updated information on Medicare Professional/Practitioner/Supplier Requirements, Coverage and Reimbursement (General Intermediate Level), Coverage and Reimbursement (By Practitioner Type), Coverage and Reimbursement (By Type of Service), Services by Other Practitioners, Services by Suppliers, Coding, Billing and Reimbursement, DMEPOS (Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility), Quality, including; Medicare approved facilities, Medicare health support, PQRI, QIO and quality initiatives.

For Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Health Care Professionals and Suppliers who enroll in Medicare using the 855 B, I or S forms

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The NEW Medicaid Coverage of Medicare Beneficiaries (Dual Eligibles) At a Glance Fact Sheet (February 2010) is now available in downloadable and hard copy formats from the Medicare Learning Network. This fact sheet provides general information and education for providers on how to bill when a beneficiary has both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The downloadable version can be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Medicare_Beneficiaries_Dual_Eligibles_At_a_Glance.pdf on the CMS website. To order a hard copy, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”

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The revised Medicare Fraud & Abuse fact sheet (FEB 2010), directs you to a number of sources of information pertaining to Medicare fraud and abuse and helps you understand what to do if you suspect or become aware of incidents of potential Medicare fraud or abuse. It can be downloaded at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Fraud_and_Abuse.pdf from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare Learning Network.



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The revised Long Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Fact Sheet Series (March 2010), which help Medicare Part A providers better understand the various aspects of the LTCH Prospective Payment System, are now available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Medicare Learning Network.



· The LTCH PPS: Interrupted Stay Fact Sheet, which includes updated information on the LTCH interrupted stay policy, is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/LTCH-IntStay.pdf on the CMS website.



· The LTCH PPS: News Fact Sheet, which includes an overview of the LTCH Rate Year (RY) 2010 Final Rule, is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/LTCH-News.pdf on the CMS website.



· The LTCH PPS: Payment Adjustment Policy Fact Sheet, which includes updates to the LTCH 25-Percent Threshold Rule, is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/LTCHPaymentAdjustPolicy.pdf on the CMS website.



· The LTCH PPS: Short-Stay Outliers Fact Sheet, which includes updates to the LTCH short-stay outlier (SSO) payment adjustment policy, is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/LTCH-ShortStay.pdf on the CMS website.



· The LTCH PPS: High Cost Outliers Fact Sheet, which includes updates to the LTCH high-cost outlier payment policy, is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/LTCH-HighCost.pdf on the CMS website.



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The following revised publications from our Payment Systems Fact Sheet Series are now available in print format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network:



· The Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (January 2010), which provides general information about the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System, ambulatory payment classifications, and how payment rates are set;

· The Home Health Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (January 2010), which provides information about coverage of home health services and elements of the Home Health Prospective Payment System;

· The Outpatient Maintenance Dialysis - End-Stage Renal Disease Fact Sheet (January 2010), which provides information about the bundled End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System for Medicare outpatient ESRD facilities that will replace the current basic case-mix adjusted composite payment system beginning January 1, 2011, the basic case-mix adjusted composite payment rate system, and separately billable items and services; and

· The Ambulatory Surgical Center Fee Schedule Fact Sheet (January 2010), which provides general information about the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Fee Schedule, ASC payments, and how ASC payment amounts are determined.

To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”

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11. March 23rd is Diabetes Alert Day!



March 23rd is Diabetes Alert Day ~ Please join with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in promoting increased awareness of the diabetes-related preventive services covered by Medicare.

Medicare Coverage of Diabetes-Related Preventive Services

Medicare provides coverage of the following diabetes-related services for qualified Medicare beneficiaries:

· Diabetes screening tests,

· Diabetes self-management training (DSMT),

· Medical nutrition therapy (MNT),

· Glaucoma screening (e.g. dilated eye exam with an intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement), and

· Diabetes supplies (e.g. glucose monitoring equipment and therapeutic shoes) and other services (e.g. foot care).

What Can You Do?

As a trusted source of health care information, your patients rely on your recommendations. CMS requests your help to ensure that all of your eligible patients take advantage of diabetes-related preventive services covered by Medicare.



For More Information

The Medicare Learning Network® (MLN) has developed several educational products related to diabetes-related preventive services covered by Medicare:



o The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Physicians, Providers, Suppliers, and Other Health Care Professionals ~ this comprehensive resource provides coverage and coding information on the array of preventive services and screenings that Medicare covers, including diabetes-related services. www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/mps_guide_web-061305.pdf

o The MLN Preventive Services Educational Products Web Page ~ This website provides descriptions and ordering information for MLN preventive services educational products and resources, including diabetes-related services. www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp

o Quick Reference Information: Medicare Preventive Services ~ this chart provides coverage and coding information on Medicare-covered preventive services, including diabetes-related services. www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MPS_QuickReferenceChart_1.pdf

o Diabetes-Related Services Brochure ~ This brochure provides an overview of Medicare's coverage of diabetes screening tests, diabetes self-management training, medical nutrition therapy, and supplies and other services for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/DiabetesSvcs.pdf

o Glaucoma Screening Brochure ~ This brochure provides an overview of Medicare’s coverage of glaucoma screening tests, including the dilated eye exam with an IOP measurement. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/glaucoma.pdf



To order hardcopies of available Medicare Preventive Services products, including the brochures mentioned above, click on “MLN Product Ordering” in the “Related Links Inside CMS” section of the MLN Preventive Services Educational Products Web Page listed above.



Additional Resources

· National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) ~ http://ndep.nih.gov/index.aspx This website offers numerous resources to help your patients delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, as well as resources to help your patients manage diabetes to prevent serious complications. Check out “Your GAME PLAN to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Information for Patients,” a 3-page booklet to help people assess their risk for developing diabetes and take steps to prevent diabetes. http://ndep.nih.gov/publications/PublicationDetail.aspx?PubId=71. For patients with diabetes, “The Power to Control Diabetes is in Your Hands”, contains information about diabetes and related Medicare benefits, which is available at the following link: http://ndep.nih.gov/publications/OnlineVersion.aspx?NdepId=NDEP-38

· DiabetesAtWork.org ~ http://www.diabetesatwork.org This website contains information for employers to help them reduce health care costs and improve productivity by keeping employees healthy

· American Diabetes Association ~ http://www.diabetes.org This website contains a wealth of information about diabetes, treatment, and prevention.



Thank you for your support in helping CMS spread the word about the benefits diabetes-related preventive services covered by Medicare.

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12. A new "twist" in the law makes it easier to save on your prescription drug costs.



http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/



Under a new law, more Medicare beneficiaries could qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs because some things no longer count as income and resources. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth an average of $3,900 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be on Medicare, have limited income and resources, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.

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