Dear Tom Seymour, Ph.D.,
It is with pleasure that we announce the ‘Inaugural of International Conference on Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing’. The conference is scheduled for July 2010, in Singapore and for more details, please visit www.bizintelligence.org.
International Conference on Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing 2010 raises a platform for academics, researchers, experienced professionals and business people to realize, recognize, and reveal the various aspects and importance of Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing in today’s world where the economic downturn has impacted the world of IT in dramatic way.
The event is supported by Academic experts from Bond University, Australia, University of Tennessee, USA, Poznan University of Technology, Poland, University of Adelaide, Australia, Anna University, India, Univerity of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia, University of Wisconsin-Stout, USA, Laval University, Canada, University of Sunderland, UK, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Europe, Isra Private University, Jordan, to name a few. The following faculty members from the listed universities have agreed to preside on the Conference technical program committee.
CONFERENCE CHAIR
Professor the Hon. Stephen Martin
Former Deputy-Vice Chancellor International of Curtin University of Technology and
Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Victoria University
Australia
Brief Bio
EDITOR - IN - CHIEF
Prof.Kuldeep Kumar
Professor and Head Department of Economics and
StatisticsFaculty of Business, Technology and Sustainable Development
Bond University ,Australia
Brief Bio
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE CHAIR
Prof. Thierry Badard
CTO of Spatialytics,Department of geomatic sciences
Laval University in Quebec City, Canada
Brief Bio
Prof. Zbigniew Michalewicz
Professor,School of Computer Science,University of Adelaide,Australia
Brief Bio
Dr Valentina Plekhanova
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology, University of Sunderland, UK
Brief Bio
Dr. Yeoh Ging Sun (William Yeoh)
Deputy Dean (R&D and postgraduate programs) in Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Malaysia
Brief Bio
Dr. Jaro Berce
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences,Centre for Methodology and Informatics,Ljubljana, Slovenia, Europe
Brief Bio
Dr. Bimal K. Bose
Condra Chair of Excellence/Emeritus in Power Electronics 505-A Ferris Hall Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN,USA
Brief Bio
Dr.Wan Bae
Assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, USA
Brief Bio
Dr.Robert Wrembel
Deputy Dean, Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of Technology, Poland
Brief Bio
Dr.Shadi Aljawarneh
Software Engineering Lecturer (Assistant professor) and Researcher at Isra Private University
Brief Bio
Dr.R.Baksaran
Assistant Professor,Department of computer Science and Engineering Anna University Chennai,India
Brief Bio
In view of School of Business and Technology - University’s commitment to Information Technology and management and your personal contribution these fields, we seek your interest in constituting the Conference Technical Committee. In consenting to be a part of the Technical Committee, we would require a brief profile of yours to be forwarded to us along with a photograph, for inclusion on the Conference website.
We also seek your support as a partner University for the conference. This would be promoted on the Conference Website and all allied Conference marketing collaterals Viz. Brochure, Call for Papers and First Announcement etc. In view of your consenting to be “Partner University”, we would require the University Logo along with the website link, for inclusion on the Conference website and other Conference marketing collaterals.
Kindly communicate your interest for the above. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks and regards,
Varna Truman
International Conference Secretariat
DID: +65 6327 0166
#14-04, International Plaza,
10 Anson Road
Singapore- 079903
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
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Senator Tom Seymour Awarded Alumni Award from Mayville State University in North Dakota
Dr. Tom Seymour to Receive the 2009 Mayville State University Distinguished Alumni Award at a Luncheon Saturday, October 10, at the MSU Campus Center in Mayville, ND
Thomas Seymour, Minot, N.D., is known for service to his community and state. Seymour graduated from Mayville State in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree, earning a major in business and minor in French. He holds a master’s degree in business education from the University of North Dakota (1972), and Ph.D. in vocational management from Colorado State University (1975). Dr. Seymour is currently the chair of the Business Information Technology Department at Minot State University
where he teaches technology classes in the classroom and via the Internet. He has published more than 80 articles in refereed journals and edited proceedings and college textbooks. He has given numerous presentations in 41 states and 10 foreign countries. A North Dakota State Senator from District 5, Tom was elected to his first term in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006. Senator Seymour has served on the Appropriations, Agriculture, Education, and Finance and Tax Committees during the regular sessions and on the Education, Technology, and Transportation committees in the interim. Tom and his wife Anita are the parents of two adult children, Dan Seymour and Jenny Seymour Huschka.
Tom also serves as a director on the SRT Communications Inc. Board of Directors.
Thomas Seymour, Minot, N.D., is known for service to his community and state. Seymour graduated from Mayville State in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree, earning a major in business and minor in French. He holds a master’s degree in business education from the University of North Dakota (1972), and Ph.D. in vocational management from Colorado State University (1975). Dr. Seymour is currently the chair of the Business Information Technology Department at Minot State University
where he teaches technology classes in the classroom and via the Internet. He has published more than 80 articles in refereed journals and edited proceedings and college textbooks. He has given numerous presentations in 41 states and 10 foreign countries. A North Dakota State Senator from District 5, Tom was elected to his first term in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006. Senator Seymour has served on the Appropriations, Agriculture, Education, and Finance and Tax Committees during the regular sessions and on the Education, Technology, and Transportation committees in the interim. Tom and his wife Anita are the parents of two adult children, Dan Seymour and Jenny Seymour Huschka.
Tom also serves as a director on the SRT Communications Inc. Board of Directors.
Senator Krebsbach and Governor Hoeven are Awarded Minot State University Golden Awards in North Dakota
Sept. 21, 2009 Campus Announcements
Events
Trump’s first apprentice to appear at Minot State tonight
This evening (Sept. 21) at 6:30 p.m., Bill Rancic, the first winner in Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” television show, will speak in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. A bonfire in the Dome’s north parking lot will follow Rancic’s speech at approximately 8 p.m. (In case of inclement weather, a pep rally will be held in the Dome.) The Rancic presentation and bonfire are open for all in the community to attend.
--Kristi Berg, assistant professor of business information technology
Office of Public Information
The following text is from an Office of Public Information news release sent to media earlier today:
For Immediate Release: Date: Sept. 21, 2009
GOLDEN AWARD TO BE BESTOWED ON FIVE
Four Minot State University alumni and one friend of the university will be the recipients of the MSU Alumni Association’s Golden Award Thursday (Sept. 24) in the MSU Conference Center, 6 p.m. Recipients are Vonnie Brown, a dance ethnologist and a teacher of folk and ethnic dances; Blaine DesLauriers, west region president of First International Bank; Vencile “Vence” Elgie, Minot State University professor emeritus; John Hoeven III, governor of North Dakota; and Karen Krebsbach, North Dakota state senator.
The highest award bestowed by the MSU Alumni Association, the Golden Award selections are based on outstanding service to the university or alumni association and distinguished leadership in the recipient’s career or community.
Brown credits her Norwegian-American family with her love and appreciation of cultural tradition. A native of Columbus, she received a bachelor’s degree from Minot State Teachers College and a master’s degree from Utah State University, Logan. She taught at Minot State University, Utah State University, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, and in secondary schools in California and North Dakota. She has also taught in Japan, Germany and the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Brown has been professionally active in the dance field. She has taught at major folk-dance camps and events across the nation and has served as the featured teacher at numerous state and national educational conferences. She published numerous articles in professional journals and established the publication “Folk Dance Scene – Baton Rouge.” She has received national and international awards for her work in the preservation and dissemination of folk dance and culture.
Beginning in 1972, Brown was instrumental in bringing international folk dancing to Louisiana. That year she founded the Karpaty Folk Ensemble of Baton Rouge and served as its artistic director and choreographer until 2009.
Brown began traveling abroad to study and research traditional folk dances in 1976. Most of her study has been concentrated in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Slovak and Czech Republics. She was the first American to study and research dance in the former Czechoslovakia, and she is considered as North America’s foremost authority in these dance forms.
DesLauriers, a Sherwood native, completed a bachelor’s degree from Minot State in 1979. Since 1990, he has been employed with First International Bank and Trust in Minot. He currently is the west region president for eight banks located in western North Dakota, oversight of the trust department and a member of the bank’s board of directors.
DesLauriers is a member and past chair of the MSU Board of Regents and is a member and past chair of the Beaver Boosters. He also co-chaired the capital fund drive for the MSU Dome Improvement Fund.
DesLauriers’ community activities include being past chair of the Minot Recreation Commission and the Minot Family YMCA and the Minot MAGIC Fund boards of directors. He is vice chair for the Minot Vocational Adjustment Workshop and a board member for Trinity Health and the Minot Catholic Schools’ Corporate Board. Previously, he served on the Minot Area Development Corporation board. He belongs to the Minot Rotary Club, Minot Y’s Men Club, Our Lady of Grace Parish, the Knights of Columbus and the Minot Football Officials Association, where he has 30 years of service.
Elgie served Minot State University for 33 years before his retirement in 1985. He began his tenure at MSU in 1956 as an assistant football coach and freshmen basketball coach. In 1957, he was named head football coach, and his 1962 team was conference champion. In 1967, he became the athletic director and chair of the Department of Physical Education. He resigned as athletic director in 1975 but remained chair of the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation until his retirement. In 1988, he was inducted into the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Elgie, a Kenmare native, enrolled at Minot State in the fall of 1942, but his schooling was interrupted by World War II. He entered the United States Army in 1943 and served honorably for 18 months in the European Theater. He returned to MSU in the fall of 1946. He participated in football and was a member of the 1946 and 1948 championship teams. In 1949, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, history and social studies.
Upon graduation, Elgie taught and coached at Stanley High and Minot Model schools. In 1953, his undefeated basketball team won the State Class B title and was named “Team of the Year” by the North Dakota Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. In 1955, he received his master’s degree in physical education from the University of Oregon, Eugene.
Elgie is involved in many professional and community organizations. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Beaver Boosters. He remains an avid supporter of sports and MSU.
Hoeven, who was born in Bismarck and raised in Minot, earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. Prior to becoming North Dakota’s 31st governor in December 2000, he served as president and chief executive officer of the Bank of North Dakota. After assuming office, Hoeven began working to build the state’s future by focusing on six pillars of growth: education, economic development, agriculture, energy, technology and quality of life.
Under Hoeven’s leadership, North Dakota has expanded and diversified its economy, adding thousands of new jobs and growing its targeted industry sectors, including value-added agriculture, advanced manufacturing, energy development, technology-based business and tourism. He has advanced new incentives for economic development, renewable energy, and research and development, as well as additional investments in education. He has expanded funding for Centers of Excellence, an initiative that combines education and economic development to create higher-paying jobs and new business opportunities for North Dakotans.
Protecting the state’s citizens and communities has been another focus of Hoeven’s administration with the introduction of new laws to strengthen the state’s violent and sexual-offender statutes. North Dakota has also expanded its efforts to combat substance abuse while helping young people involved with drugs through rehabilitative programs.
Hoeven chairs the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition and serves on the Executive Committee of the National Governors Association. He previously chaired the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Midwestern Governors Association, and the National Governors Association’s Health and Human Services Committee and Natural Resources Committee.
Krebsbach was born in Rugby, attended grade school in Silva and graduated from high school in Velva. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Minot State University. While at MSU, she served as president of the Delta Epsilon Phi Sorority and as secretary of her senior class.
For 35 years, Krebsbach worked at Krebsbach’s Inc., the family-owned business. Krebsbach’s Inc. was the International Harvester farm equipment and motor-truck dealership in Velva and Minot.
In 1988, Krebsbach was elected to the North Dakota State Senate, and she has served on the following committees: education, agriculture, industry, business and labor, government and veterans affairs and appropriations. Krebsbach was chair of the Government and Veteran Affairs Committee
from 1995 to 2005. In 2001, she served as president pro tempore of the senate.
Krebsbach is currently the chair of the Minot Area Development Corporation and is president of the First Lutheran Church Council. Other boards she currently serves on are Trinity
Health, the Norsk Høstfest Association and the Minot State University Board of Regents. Past involvement includes the State Chamber of Commerce, the Souris Valley United Way, the Minot Credit Association, the Minot Job Service Committee and chair of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce.
The MSU Alumni Association began presenting its award in 1967, and the first recipient was D. Archie Peterson. Last year’s recipients were Jill Fuller, Charles and Jan Repnow and Gary Stenehjem.
-end-
MSU in the News
(To inform the MSU community of Minot State items in the media, the Office of Public Information will provide links to items.)
Tawnya Bernsdorf, director of alumni relations and annual giving, and Teresa Loftesnes, director of marketing, were on the Noon Show to talk about MSU’s Homecoming activities. http://www.kxmc.com/video.asp?ArticleId=438390&VideoId=30812
Nathan Anderson, accreditation technology coordinator for the College of Education and Health Sciences, has written a book, and his projects were featured on KMOT’s Main Street Minute.
http://www.kmot.com/News_video.asp?news=34024
KXMC covered the statewide general education meeting, which was held at Minot State University http://www.kxmc.com/video.asp?ArticleId=439149&VideoId=30856
Reminder: Check the campus calendar on the MSU home page for additional events at http://www.minotstateu.edu/.
-------------------------------
Public Information Campus Announcements Archives:
http://www.minotstateu.edu/newsletter/archive.php
-------------------------------
7e469985dddf63f41336d9510a252cbf
Events
Trump’s first apprentice to appear at Minot State tonight
This evening (Sept. 21) at 6:30 p.m., Bill Rancic, the first winner in Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” television show, will speak in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. A bonfire in the Dome’s north parking lot will follow Rancic’s speech at approximately 8 p.m. (In case of inclement weather, a pep rally will be held in the Dome.) The Rancic presentation and bonfire are open for all in the community to attend.
--Kristi Berg, assistant professor of business information technology
Office of Public Information
The following text is from an Office of Public Information news release sent to media earlier today:
For Immediate Release: Date: Sept. 21, 2009
GOLDEN AWARD TO BE BESTOWED ON FIVE
Four Minot State University alumni and one friend of the university will be the recipients of the MSU Alumni Association’s Golden Award Thursday (Sept. 24) in the MSU Conference Center, 6 p.m. Recipients are Vonnie Brown, a dance ethnologist and a teacher of folk and ethnic dances; Blaine DesLauriers, west region president of First International Bank; Vencile “Vence” Elgie, Minot State University professor emeritus; John Hoeven III, governor of North Dakota; and Karen Krebsbach, North Dakota state senator.
The highest award bestowed by the MSU Alumni Association, the Golden Award selections are based on outstanding service to the university or alumni association and distinguished leadership in the recipient’s career or community.
Brown credits her Norwegian-American family with her love and appreciation of cultural tradition. A native of Columbus, she received a bachelor’s degree from Minot State Teachers College and a master’s degree from Utah State University, Logan. She taught at Minot State University, Utah State University, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, and in secondary schools in California and North Dakota. She has also taught in Japan, Germany and the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Brown has been professionally active in the dance field. She has taught at major folk-dance camps and events across the nation and has served as the featured teacher at numerous state and national educational conferences. She published numerous articles in professional journals and established the publication “Folk Dance Scene – Baton Rouge.” She has received national and international awards for her work in the preservation and dissemination of folk dance and culture.
Beginning in 1972, Brown was instrumental in bringing international folk dancing to Louisiana. That year she founded the Karpaty Folk Ensemble of Baton Rouge and served as its artistic director and choreographer until 2009.
Brown began traveling abroad to study and research traditional folk dances in 1976. Most of her study has been concentrated in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Slovak and Czech Republics. She was the first American to study and research dance in the former Czechoslovakia, and she is considered as North America’s foremost authority in these dance forms.
DesLauriers, a Sherwood native, completed a bachelor’s degree from Minot State in 1979. Since 1990, he has been employed with First International Bank and Trust in Minot. He currently is the west region president for eight banks located in western North Dakota, oversight of the trust department and a member of the bank’s board of directors.
DesLauriers is a member and past chair of the MSU Board of Regents and is a member and past chair of the Beaver Boosters. He also co-chaired the capital fund drive for the MSU Dome Improvement Fund.
DesLauriers’ community activities include being past chair of the Minot Recreation Commission and the Minot Family YMCA and the Minot MAGIC Fund boards of directors. He is vice chair for the Minot Vocational Adjustment Workshop and a board member for Trinity Health and the Minot Catholic Schools’ Corporate Board. Previously, he served on the Minot Area Development Corporation board. He belongs to the Minot Rotary Club, Minot Y’s Men Club, Our Lady of Grace Parish, the Knights of Columbus and the Minot Football Officials Association, where he has 30 years of service.
Elgie served Minot State University for 33 years before his retirement in 1985. He began his tenure at MSU in 1956 as an assistant football coach and freshmen basketball coach. In 1957, he was named head football coach, and his 1962 team was conference champion. In 1967, he became the athletic director and chair of the Department of Physical Education. He resigned as athletic director in 1975 but remained chair of the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation until his retirement. In 1988, he was inducted into the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Elgie, a Kenmare native, enrolled at Minot State in the fall of 1942, but his schooling was interrupted by World War II. He entered the United States Army in 1943 and served honorably for 18 months in the European Theater. He returned to MSU in the fall of 1946. He participated in football and was a member of the 1946 and 1948 championship teams. In 1949, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, history and social studies.
Upon graduation, Elgie taught and coached at Stanley High and Minot Model schools. In 1953, his undefeated basketball team won the State Class B title and was named “Team of the Year” by the North Dakota Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. In 1955, he received his master’s degree in physical education from the University of Oregon, Eugene.
Elgie is involved in many professional and community organizations. He is a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Beaver Boosters. He remains an avid supporter of sports and MSU.
Hoeven, who was born in Bismarck and raised in Minot, earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. Prior to becoming North Dakota’s 31st governor in December 2000, he served as president and chief executive officer of the Bank of North Dakota. After assuming office, Hoeven began working to build the state’s future by focusing on six pillars of growth: education, economic development, agriculture, energy, technology and quality of life.
Under Hoeven’s leadership, North Dakota has expanded and diversified its economy, adding thousands of new jobs and growing its targeted industry sectors, including value-added agriculture, advanced manufacturing, energy development, technology-based business and tourism. He has advanced new incentives for economic development, renewable energy, and research and development, as well as additional investments in education. He has expanded funding for Centers of Excellence, an initiative that combines education and economic development to create higher-paying jobs and new business opportunities for North Dakotans.
Protecting the state’s citizens and communities has been another focus of Hoeven’s administration with the introduction of new laws to strengthen the state’s violent and sexual-offender statutes. North Dakota has also expanded its efforts to combat substance abuse while helping young people involved with drugs through rehabilitative programs.
Hoeven chairs the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition and serves on the Executive Committee of the National Governors Association. He previously chaired the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Midwestern Governors Association, and the National Governors Association’s Health and Human Services Committee and Natural Resources Committee.
Krebsbach was born in Rugby, attended grade school in Silva and graduated from high school in Velva. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Minot State University. While at MSU, she served as president of the Delta Epsilon Phi Sorority and as secretary of her senior class.
For 35 years, Krebsbach worked at Krebsbach’s Inc., the family-owned business. Krebsbach’s Inc. was the International Harvester farm equipment and motor-truck dealership in Velva and Minot.
In 1988, Krebsbach was elected to the North Dakota State Senate, and she has served on the following committees: education, agriculture, industry, business and labor, government and veterans affairs and appropriations. Krebsbach was chair of the Government and Veteran Affairs Committee
from 1995 to 2005. In 2001, she served as president pro tempore of the senate.
Krebsbach is currently the chair of the Minot Area Development Corporation and is president of the First Lutheran Church Council. Other boards she currently serves on are Trinity
Health, the Norsk Høstfest Association and the Minot State University Board of Regents. Past involvement includes the State Chamber of Commerce, the Souris Valley United Way, the Minot Credit Association, the Minot Job Service Committee and chair of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce.
The MSU Alumni Association began presenting its award in 1967, and the first recipient was D. Archie Peterson. Last year’s recipients were Jill Fuller, Charles and Jan Repnow and Gary Stenehjem.
-end-
MSU in the News
(To inform the MSU community of Minot State items in the media, the Office of Public Information will provide links to items.)
Tawnya Bernsdorf, director of alumni relations and annual giving, and Teresa Loftesnes, director of marketing, were on the Noon Show to talk about MSU’s Homecoming activities. http://www.kxmc.com/video.asp?ArticleId=438390&VideoId=30812
Nathan Anderson, accreditation technology coordinator for the College of Education and Health Sciences, has written a book, and his projects were featured on KMOT’s Main Street Minute.
http://www.kmot.com/News_video.asp?news=34024
KXMC covered the statewide general education meeting, which was held at Minot State University http://www.kxmc.com/video.asp?ArticleId=439149&VideoId=30856
Reminder: Check the campus calendar on the MSU home page for additional events at http://www.minotstateu.edu/.
-------------------------------
Public Information Campus Announcements Archives:
http://www.minotstateu.edu/newsletter/archive.php
-------------------------------
7e469985dddf63f41336d9510a252cbf
Taube Museum of Art in Minot, North Dakota
2 N. Main St. - Minot, ND 58703 - 701-838-4445 – taube@srt.com - www.taubemuseum.org
News Release For immediate release
September 19, 2009
Amazing Art!
Artfest at Minot Municipal Auditorium
(MINOT, ND) Vincent Van Gogh is our inspiration artist for Artfest 2009. The Taube Museum of Art invites people of all ages to come and join the fun! Artfest will be held on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 at the Minot Municipal Auditorium. Our featured artist this year is Fargo glassblower, Jon Offutt, a nationally recognized artist, who creates amazing glassworks.
Other artist’s include Andrew Knutson, Judy Bell, Linda Olson, 62 Doors Art Gallery and Studios, John Bartunek, Earth Elements, Stillpoint Photography, Obsessed Photographers Group, Jane Kalmbach, Marianne Wyatt, Margaret Lee, Nancy Brown, Paul Horn, Pat Van Hal, Doug Pfliger Pfine & Pfunky cArt, and so many more!
Premiere Night will be held on Friday, October 16th from 7 pm -10 pm. (Must be 21 to attend). This promises to be a fantastic time with art from over 40 regional artists, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary champagne cocktails, and live music by Java Jive Jazz. There will also be a Silent Auction throughout the event. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non members, and $35 at the door, which are available at the Taube Museum of Art, Artistry, and Artmain.
On Saturday, October 17th the hours are 9am to 6pm. Admission is $2 with 12 and under free! There is something for everyone. The children will have a great time creating their art inspired by Van Gogh. Adults can watch artist demonstrations, browse for that special artwork, and bid on the silent auction.
This Fundraiser is brought to you by the Taube Museum of Art. Come and Celebrate the Arts at Artfest 2009!
If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Brown, Executive Director, at the Taube Museum of Art, 838-4445.
-END-
Nancy F. Brown
Executive Director, Taube Museum of Art
2 N. Main St., Minot, ND 58703
701-838-4445
Fax: 701-838-6471
www.taubemuseum.org
News Release For immediate release
September 19, 2009
Amazing Art!
Artfest at Minot Municipal Auditorium
(MINOT, ND) Vincent Van Gogh is our inspiration artist for Artfest 2009. The Taube Museum of Art invites people of all ages to come and join the fun! Artfest will be held on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 at the Minot Municipal Auditorium. Our featured artist this year is Fargo glassblower, Jon Offutt, a nationally recognized artist, who creates amazing glassworks.
Other artist’s include Andrew Knutson, Judy Bell, Linda Olson, 62 Doors Art Gallery and Studios, John Bartunek, Earth Elements, Stillpoint Photography, Obsessed Photographers Group, Jane Kalmbach, Marianne Wyatt, Margaret Lee, Nancy Brown, Paul Horn, Pat Van Hal, Doug Pfliger Pfine & Pfunky cArt, and so many more!
Premiere Night will be held on Friday, October 16th from 7 pm -10 pm. (Must be 21 to attend). This promises to be a fantastic time with art from over 40 regional artists, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary champagne cocktails, and live music by Java Jive Jazz. There will also be a Silent Auction throughout the event. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non members, and $35 at the door, which are available at the Taube Museum of Art, Artistry, and Artmain.
On Saturday, October 17th the hours are 9am to 6pm. Admission is $2 with 12 and under free! There is something for everyone. The children will have a great time creating their art inspired by Van Gogh. Adults can watch artist demonstrations, browse for that special artwork, and bid on the silent auction.
This Fundraiser is brought to you by the Taube Museum of Art. Come and Celebrate the Arts at Artfest 2009!
If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Brown, Executive Director, at the Taube Museum of Art, 838-4445.
-END-
Nancy F. Brown
Executive Director, Taube Museum of Art
2 N. Main St., Minot, ND 58703
701-838-4445
Fax: 701-838-6471
www.taubemuseum.org
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Medicare
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. New from the Medicare Learning Network
2. Time is Running Out for Authorized Officials to Register for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding
3. DMEPOS Competitive Bidding – Deadline and Important Reminders
4. DMEPOS Special Open Door Forum
5. What’s New with 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs
6. 2009 Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) Results Available
7. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – September News
8. Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coding for the 2009-2010 Flu Season
9. CMS Proposes New Prospective Payment System for Renal Dialysis Facilities
10. October 2009 Average Sales Price (ASP) Files Are Now Available
11. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. New from the Medicare Learning Network
A Special Edition MLN Matters article regarding Billing for the Administration of the Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine is now available. This article explains Medicare coverage and reimbursement rules for the H1N1 vaccine and also addresses seasonal flu coverage and reimbursement.
Note that Medicare will pay for seasonal flu vaccinations even if the vaccinations are rendered earlier in the year than normal. We understand that such preparations are critical for the upcoming flu season, especially in planning for the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.
Though Medicare typically pays for one vaccination per year, if more than one vaccination per year is medically necessary (i.e., the number of doses of a vaccine and/or type of influenza vaccine), then Medicare will pay for those additional vaccinations. Our Medicare claims processing contractors have been notified to expect and prepare for earlier-than-usual seasonal flu claims and there should not be a problem in getting those claims paid. Furthermore, in the event that it is necessary for Medicare beneficiaries to receive both a seasonal flu vaccination and an influenza A (H1N1) vaccination, then Medicare will pay for both.
Please be advised that if either vaccine is provided free of charge to the health care provider, then Medicare will only pay for the vaccine’s administration (not for the vaccine itself).
All providers administering flu vaccine should review this article and be sure that their billing staffs are aware of this information. For more information, please read the article located at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0920.pdf
# # # # #
The revised Acute Care Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (September 2009), which provides general information about the Acute Care Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) including information about the basis for IPPS payment, IPPS payment rates, and how IPPS payment rates are set, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/AcutePaymtSysfctsht.pdf .
# # # # #
The revised quick reference chart, Steps to Accessing CMS Enterprise Applications for Provider Organizations (August 2009), is now available for download. This chart for provider organizations outlines how to access CMS Enterprise Applications. CMS enterprise applications are those hosted and managed by CMS and do not include Fiscal Intermediary (FI)/carrier/Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) internet applications. You can access this product at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/IACSChart.pdf on the CMS website.
# # # # #
The Medicare Learning Network is pleased to announce the availability of the 2009 PQRI and E-Prescribing Program Web-based Training Course! Please see the announcement under “What’s New with 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs” for additional details.
# # # # #
The revised Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (August 2009), which provides the elements of the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System, 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.”
The revised Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (August 2009), which provides information about Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System rates, classification criterion, and reasonable and necessary criteria, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/InpatRehabPaymtfctsht09-508.pdf . If you are unable to access the hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser.
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2. Time is Running Out for Authorized Officials to Register for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding
The target deadline for Authorized Officials (AOs) to register for the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program was September 14, 2009. All suppliers interested in bidding must designate one AO from those listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form to act as their AO for registration purposes. If you are a supplier interested in bidding and your designated AO has not yet registered, he or she should register now. Suppliers whose AOs do not register will not be able to bid when bidding opens. AOs who do not register now may not have time to designate other employees to assist with bidding.
Remember, the AO must be listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form. Once the AO registers, then the AO’s user ID and password will be sent by mail and should be delivered within 10 days after successful registration. After an AO successfully registers, the AO may designate other employees to serve as Backup Authorized Officials (BAOs) and/or End Users (EUs). BAOs and EUs must also register in order to be able to use the on-line bidding system. The legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) of the AO and BAOs must match exactly with what is on file with the National Supplier Clearinghouse in order to register successfully. Legal names, dates of birth, and SSNs of all users must match what is on file with the Social Security Administration.
We recommend that BAOs register no later than October 9, 2009 so that they will be able to assist AOs with approving EU registration. Registration will close on November 4, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. EST – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes.
To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com. Please review the IACS Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions on registration. The CBIC web site also has the following useful tools: a registration checklist; Quick Step guides; and frequently asked questions. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for E-mail Updates on the home page of the CBIC website. If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact the CBIC Customer Service Center at 1-877-577-5331.
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3. DMEPOS Competitive Bidding – Deadline and Important Reminders
We would like to remind all suppliers interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program that registration for user IDs and passwords is open. If you are interested in bidding you must designate one Authorized Official (AO) from those listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form to act as your AO for registration purposes, and that AO must register. We strongly urge all AOs to register no later than September 14, 2009 to ensure that AOs have time to designate other supplier employees to use the on-line bidding system. Suppliers that do not register will not be able to bid when bidding opens.
AOs who successfully register should receive their user IDs and passwords in the mail within 10 days after successful registration. After an AO successfully registers and receives his or her user ID and password, the AO may designate other supplier employees to serve as Backup Authorized Officials (BAO) and/or End Users (EU). BAOs and EUs must also register in order to be able to use the on-line bidding system. The legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) of the AO and BAOs must match what is on file with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) in order to register successfully.
Registering now allows the AO and/or BAO time to correct the supplier’s NSC records if their name, date of birth, and SSN does not match what is on file with NSC. We recommend that BAOs register no later than October 9, 2009, so that they will be able to assist AOs with approving EU registration. Registration will close on November 4, 2009, at 9:00 p.m. EST – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes. To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) web site: www.dmecompetitivebid.com.
We have three additional competitive bidding reminders for suppliers interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid:
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: Medicare DMEPOS suppliers, unless exempt, must be accredited by October 1, 2009. Suppliers must be accredited for a product category in order to submit a bid for that product category. CMS will not accept bids from and will not contract with suppliers that are not accredited by a CMS-approved accreditation organization for the applicable product categories.
If you have already been notified by an approved accrediting organization that each of your practice locations has been accredited, the accreditation organization will notify the NSC that your DMEPOS supplier practice locations have been accredited. However, DMEPOS suppliers that obtain accreditation after September 1, 2009 but before October 1, 2009, should submit proof of accreditation to the NSC via submission of an amendment to their CMS-855S.
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 web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/01_Overview.asp .
GET BONDED: Medicare DMEPOS suppliers, unless exempt, must obtain and submit a surety bond by October 2, 2009. Suppliers subject to the bonding requirement must be bonded in order to bid in the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. A list of surety companies 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. When submitting your DMEPOS surety bond to the NSC, you are required to submit sections 1, 2A1, 12, and either 15 (if you are the AO) or 16 (if you are the delegated official) of the CMS-855S. By submitting the required sections of the CMS-855S, you will help to ensure that NSC is able to correctly associate your DMEPOS surety bond to your enrollment record.
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4. DMEPOS Special Open Door Forum
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum:
Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Bidders’ Conference:
Financial Documentation Plus Small Supplier Considerations
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern Time
Conference Call Only
Please join us for the fourth 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 required financial documentation that must be submitted for each type of business structure and how bidders should report their capacity to serve beneficiaries. In addition, we will discuss special provisions for small suppliers and networks.
Reminder: Registration for user IDs and passwords is open. The target deadline for Authorized Officials interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid to register was September 14, 2009. If you are an Authorized Official who has not yet registered – do it TODAY! Visit www.dmecompetitivebid.com to register.
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: 23045166
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 Thursday, October 1, 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.
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5. What’s New with 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs
New Medicare Learning Network Education Product
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Learning Network (MLN) is pleased to announce that the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (E-Prescribing) Web-based Training Course is now available.
The course provides information to physicians, health care professionals, and medical administrative staff on the completion, submission and maintenance of the documentation required to successfully participate in Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescription Incentive (E-Prescribing) programs. The course offers continuing education credits; please see the course description page for the details.
The course can be accessed by going to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo on the CMS website and scrolling down to the “Related Links Inside CMS” section and selecting Web Based Training (WBT) Modules. Once on the web-based training module page, select the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program WBT from the list provided.
New and Revised MLN Articles on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
~New-MM6514- Coding and Reporting Principles for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and the Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mlnmattersarticles/downloads/MM6514.pdf
~Revised-SE0830- Steps for Individual Eligible Professionals to Access Their 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Feedback Reports Personally
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0830.pdf
~Revised-SE0831- Steps for Organizations to Access Their 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Feedback Reports
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0831.pdf
These new and revised articles are intended to assist eligible professionals and group practices who report PQRI quality measures data to Medicare.
Three Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Help Desk Resources Now Available for Eligible Professionals
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce three PQRI Help Desk Resources to assist eligible professionals with their questions on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative.
Provider Call Center Directory
Remittance Advice Notices
Incentive payment distribution status
Adjustments made to incentive payment due to sanctions/overpayments
For contact information, see the “Provider Center Toll-free Numbers Directory” by clicking the link under the “Related Links Inside CMS” section below and scrolling down to the “Downloads” section.
External User Services (EUS) – 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST
Registering/creating an IACS account
Accessing an IACS account
Changing an IACS account
Approving users into an organization
Phone: 1-866-484-8049
TTY: 1-866-523-4759
QualityNet Help Desk – 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM CST
General CMS PQRI & ERX Information
PQRI Portal Password Issues
PQRI feedback report availability and access
Phone: 1-866-288-8912
All publicly available information on the CMS Physician Quality Reporting Initiative can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI, on the CMS website.
All publicly available information on the CMS Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive on the CMS website.
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6. 2009 Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) Results Available
The results of the 2009 Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) are now available.
The MCPSS enables CMS to gauge provider satisfaction with key services performed by the Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) contractors that process and pay the more than $300 billion in Medicare claims each year. Respondents rated their FFS contractors between 4 and 6 on a 6-point scale, with “1” representing “not at all satisfied” and “6” representing “completely satisfied.” The 2009 MCPSS marked the fourth annual administration of the survey.
The national average has remained relatively stable through each MCPSS administration. The 2009 national average was 4.54, compared to last year’s national average of 4.51. The MCPSS was sent early this year to more than 32,000 randomly selected providers, including physicians, suppliers, health care practitioners and institutional facilities that serve Medicare beneficiaries across the country.
As in 2008, Provider Inquiries was cited as the top indicator of satisfaction. For the fourth consecutive year this business function was cited as one of the key predictors of provider satisfaction. Claims Processing remained a strong predictor of provider satisfaction as in the past three years.
The public reporting of the results over the last four years has increased awareness about the MCPSS. CMS has used the MCPSS to establish a uniform measure of provider satisfaction with FFS contractor performance. Each FFS contractor receives an individual report of findings specific to their organization, which can be used to implement process improvement initiatives.
The results of the 2009 survey are available through the CMS and MCPSS web pages at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MCPSS/ and https://www.mcpsstudy.org/ .
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7. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – September News
1. The Five-Star provider preview reports are available beginning today, Friday September 11, 2009. Providers can access the report from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) State Welcome pages available at the State servers for submission of Minimum Data Set data.
Provider Preview access information:
· Visit the MDS State Welcome page available on the State servers where you submit MDS data to review your results.
· To access these reports, select the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) Reporting link located at the bottom of the login page.
· Once in the CASPER Reporting system,
i. Click on the 'Folders' button and access the Five-Star Report in your 'st LTC facid' folder,
ii. Where st is the 2-digit postal code of the state in which your facility is located, and
iii. Facid is the state assigned facid of your facility.
2. For questions and concerns about the September data, providers can write to BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov. The helpline will reopen in October.
3. Nursing Home Compare will update with September’s Five-Star data on Thursday, September 24, 2009.
4. Please visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CertificationandComplianc/13_FSQRS.asp for the latest Five-Star Quality Rating system information.
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8. Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coding for the 2009-2010 Flu Season
For the purposes of coding the MDS during the upcoming flu season, Nursing Facilities should only code for the "Seasonal Influenza Vaccine." You should not code the MDS for the "H1N1 Influenza Vaccine." Nursing Facilities should follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for specific guidance for H1N1 Influenza. For the most up to date and accurate information it is recommended that you frequently check the CDC Influenza Website (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/). Any additional questions can be directed to mds30comments@cms.hhs.gov.
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9. CMS Proposes New Prospective Payment System for Renal Dialysis Facilities
PROGRAM WOULD REWARD EFFICIENT, HIGH QUALITY CARE
FOR PEOPLE WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a new prospective payment system (PPS) for facilities that provide dialysis services to Medicare beneficiaries who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
The proposed PPS would provide a single bundled payment to dialysis facilities that would cover the items and services used in providing outpatient such services, including the dialysis treatment, prescription drugs, and clinical laboratory tests.
The new payment system, which was required by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), is designed to improve the efficiency of care, while promoting high quality services. Today’s notice proposes three quality measures that CMS plans to use for its quality incentive program (QIP) and lays out a conceptual model for public comment.
“Combining a fully bundled prospective payment system with required performance standards would encourage facilities to operate more efficiently and ensure that beneficiaries receive high quality care, while saving dollars for both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” said Jonathan Blum, director of the CMS Center for Medicare Management.
ESRD is the only category for Medicare eligibility that is based on a specific diagnosis, without regard to the age of the patient. Patients diagnosed with ESRD must rely on dialysis or receive a kidney transplant for survival. In 2007, there were about 591 hospital-based and 4,330 freestanding ESRD facilities furnishing outpatient dialysis services to nearly 330,000 Medicare patients. This total cost of this service was $9.2 billion including the dialysis service and other ESRD-related items such as drugs.
ESRD services are furnished on an outpatient basis in independent or hospital-based dialysis facilities. Currently, Medicare pays for certain dialysis services under a partial bundled rate, referred to as the composite rate. Payments for these composite rate services represent about 60 percent of total Medicare payments to ESRD facilities. The remainder of Medicare spending for dialysis services is for separately billed items such as drugs, but may also include laboratory services, supplies and blood products.
Under the proposed rule, CMS would establish a base bundled payment rate of $198.64 for all of the services related to a dialysis session, including the services in the current composite rate as well as items, including oral drugs that are billed separately. The proposed base rate was derived from 2007 claims data for both composite rate and separately billable services and updated to reflect projected 2011 prices. It would also be adjusted for case mix factors such as the patient’s age, gender, body size, and time on dialysis. A special case-mix adjustment would apply to pediatric patients. Additional adjustments to the payment rate would be made for specific conditions, or co-morbidities that have a significant impact on a course of treatment. By accounting for more characteristics of patients, the new PPS would target payments more appropriately, paying higher rates to those facilities with the most costly patients.
The base rate would also be adjusted to reflect geographic differences in labor costs. In addition, CMS is proposing to provide an adjustment for low-volume facilities, as well as an outlier policy that would make an adjustment for particularly expensive cases.
CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule through November 16, 2009, and will respond to them in a final rule to be issued in 2010. The new payment system would apply to dialysis services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2011.
For more information, please see: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ESRDPayment/ .
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10. October 2009 Average Sales Price (ASP) Files Are Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the October 2009 ASP pricing files and crosswalks, which are available for download at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/McrPartBDrugAvgSalesPrice/01a1_2009aspfiles.asp .
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11. 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.
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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
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. New from the Medicare Learning Network
2. Time is Running Out for Authorized Officials to Register for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding
3. DMEPOS Competitive Bidding – Deadline and Important Reminders
4. DMEPOS Special Open Door Forum
5. What’s New with 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs
6. 2009 Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) Results Available
7. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – September News
8. Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coding for the 2009-2010 Flu Season
9. CMS Proposes New Prospective Payment System for Renal Dialysis Facilities
10. October 2009 Average Sales Price (ASP) Files Are Now Available
11. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
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1. New from the Medicare Learning Network
A Special Edition MLN Matters article regarding Billing for the Administration of the Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine is now available. This article explains Medicare coverage and reimbursement rules for the H1N1 vaccine and also addresses seasonal flu coverage and reimbursement.
Note that Medicare will pay for seasonal flu vaccinations even if the vaccinations are rendered earlier in the year than normal. We understand that such preparations are critical for the upcoming flu season, especially in planning for the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.
Though Medicare typically pays for one vaccination per year, if more than one vaccination per year is medically necessary (i.e., the number of doses of a vaccine and/or type of influenza vaccine), then Medicare will pay for those additional vaccinations. Our Medicare claims processing contractors have been notified to expect and prepare for earlier-than-usual seasonal flu claims and there should not be a problem in getting those claims paid. Furthermore, in the event that it is necessary for Medicare beneficiaries to receive both a seasonal flu vaccination and an influenza A (H1N1) vaccination, then Medicare will pay for both.
Please be advised that if either vaccine is provided free of charge to the health care provider, then Medicare will only pay for the vaccine’s administration (not for the vaccine itself).
All providers administering flu vaccine should review this article and be sure that their billing staffs are aware of this information. For more information, please read the article located at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0920.pdf
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The revised Acute Care Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (September 2009), which provides general information about the Acute Care Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) including information about the basis for IPPS payment, IPPS payment rates, and how IPPS payment rates are set, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/AcutePaymtSysfctsht.pdf .
# # # # #
The revised quick reference chart, Steps to Accessing CMS Enterprise Applications for Provider Organizations (August 2009), is now available for download. This chart for provider organizations outlines how to access CMS Enterprise Applications. CMS enterprise applications are those hosted and managed by CMS and do not include Fiscal Intermediary (FI)/carrier/Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) internet applications. You can access this product at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/IACSChart.pdf on the CMS website.
# # # # #
The Medicare Learning Network is pleased to announce the availability of the 2009 PQRI and E-Prescribing Program Web-based Training Course! Please see the announcement under “What’s New with 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs” for additional details.
# # # # #
The revised Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (August 2009), which provides the elements of the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System, 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.”
The revised Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (August 2009), which provides information about Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System rates, classification criterion, and reasonable and necessary criteria, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/InpatRehabPaymtfctsht09-508.pdf . If you are unable to access the hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser.
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2. Time is Running Out for Authorized Officials to Register for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding
The target deadline for Authorized Officials (AOs) to register for the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program was September 14, 2009. All suppliers interested in bidding must designate one AO from those listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form to act as their AO for registration purposes. If you are a supplier interested in bidding and your designated AO has not yet registered, he or she should register now. Suppliers whose AOs do not register will not be able to bid when bidding opens. AOs who do not register now may not have time to designate other employees to assist with bidding.
Remember, the AO must be listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form. Once the AO registers, then the AO’s user ID and password will be sent by mail and should be delivered within 10 days after successful registration. After an AO successfully registers, the AO may designate other employees to serve as Backup Authorized Officials (BAOs) and/or End Users (EUs). BAOs and EUs must also register in order to be able to use the on-line bidding system. The legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) of the AO and BAOs must match exactly with what is on file with the National Supplier Clearinghouse in order to register successfully. Legal names, dates of birth, and SSNs of all users must match what is on file with the Social Security Administration.
We recommend that BAOs register no later than October 9, 2009 so that they will be able to assist AOs with approving EU registration. Registration will close on November 4, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. EST – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes.
To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com. Please review the IACS Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions on registration. The CBIC web site also has the following useful tools: a registration checklist; Quick Step guides; and frequently asked questions. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for E-mail Updates on the home page of the CBIC website. If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact the CBIC Customer Service Center at 1-877-577-5331.
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3. DMEPOS Competitive Bidding – Deadline and Important Reminders
We would like to remind all suppliers interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program that registration for user IDs and passwords is open. If you are interested in bidding you must designate one Authorized Official (AO) from those listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form to act as your AO for registration purposes, and that AO must register. We strongly urge all AOs to register no later than September 14, 2009 to ensure that AOs have time to designate other supplier employees to use the on-line bidding system. Suppliers that do not register will not be able to bid when bidding opens.
AOs who successfully register should receive their user IDs and passwords in the mail within 10 days after successful registration. After an AO successfully registers and receives his or her user ID and password, the AO may designate other supplier employees to serve as Backup Authorized Officials (BAO) and/or End Users (EU). BAOs and EUs must also register in order to be able to use the on-line bidding system. The legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) of the AO and BAOs must match what is on file with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) in order to register successfully.
Registering now allows the AO and/or BAO time to correct the supplier’s NSC records if their name, date of birth, and SSN does not match what is on file with NSC. We recommend that BAOs register no later than October 9, 2009, so that they will be able to assist AOs with approving EU registration. Registration will close on November 4, 2009, at 9:00 p.m. EST – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes. To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) web site: www.dmecompetitivebid.com.
We have three additional competitive bidding reminders for suppliers interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid:
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: Medicare DMEPOS suppliers, unless exempt, must be accredited by October 1, 2009. Suppliers must be accredited for a product category in order to submit a bid for that product category. CMS will not accept bids from and will not contract with suppliers that are not accredited by a CMS-approved accreditation organization for the applicable product categories.
If you have already been notified by an approved accrediting organization that each of your practice locations has been accredited, the accreditation organization will notify the NSC that your DMEPOS supplier practice locations have been accredited. However, DMEPOS suppliers that obtain accreditation after September 1, 2009 but before October 1, 2009, should submit proof of accreditation to the NSC via submission of an amendment to their CMS-855S.
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 web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/01_Overview.asp .
GET BONDED: Medicare DMEPOS suppliers, unless exempt, must obtain and submit a surety bond by October 2, 2009. Suppliers subject to the bonding requirement must be bonded in order to bid in the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. A list of surety companies 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. When submitting your DMEPOS surety bond to the NSC, you are required to submit sections 1, 2A1, 12, and either 15 (if you are the AO) or 16 (if you are the delegated official) of the CMS-855S. By submitting the required sections of the CMS-855S, you will help to ensure that NSC is able to correctly associate your DMEPOS surety bond to your enrollment record.
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4. DMEPOS Special Open Door Forum
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum:
Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Bidders’ Conference:
Financial Documentation Plus Small Supplier Considerations
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern Time
Conference Call Only
Please join us for the fourth 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 required financial documentation that must be submitted for each type of business structure and how bidders should report their capacity to serve beneficiaries. In addition, we will discuss special provisions for small suppliers and networks.
Reminder: Registration for user IDs and passwords is open. The target deadline for Authorized Officials interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid to register was September 14, 2009. If you are an Authorized Official who has not yet registered – do it TODAY! Visit www.dmecompetitivebid.com to register.
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: 23045166
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 Thursday, October 1, 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.
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5. What’s New with 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs
New Medicare Learning Network Education Product
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Learning Network (MLN) is pleased to announce that the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (E-Prescribing) Web-based Training Course is now available.
The course provides information to physicians, health care professionals, and medical administrative staff on the completion, submission and maintenance of the documentation required to successfully participate in Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescription Incentive (E-Prescribing) programs. The course offers continuing education credits; please see the course description page for the details.
The course can be accessed by going to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo on the CMS website and scrolling down to the “Related Links Inside CMS” section and selecting Web Based Training (WBT) Modules. Once on the web-based training module page, select the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program WBT from the list provided.
New and Revised MLN Articles on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
~New-MM6514- Coding and Reporting Principles for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and the Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mlnmattersarticles/downloads/MM6514.pdf
~Revised-SE0830- Steps for Individual Eligible Professionals to Access Their 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Feedback Reports Personally
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0830.pdf
~Revised-SE0831- Steps for Organizations to Access Their 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Feedback Reports
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0831.pdf
These new and revised articles are intended to assist eligible professionals and group practices who report PQRI quality measures data to Medicare.
Three Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Help Desk Resources Now Available for Eligible Professionals
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce three PQRI Help Desk Resources to assist eligible professionals with their questions on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative.
Provider Call Center Directory
Remittance Advice Notices
Incentive payment distribution status
Adjustments made to incentive payment due to sanctions/overpayments
For contact information, see the “Provider Center Toll-free Numbers Directory” by clicking the link under the “Related Links Inside CMS” section below and scrolling down to the “Downloads” section.
External User Services (EUS) – 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST
Registering/creating an IACS account
Accessing an IACS account
Changing an IACS account
Approving users into an organization
Phone: 1-866-484-8049
TTY: 1-866-523-4759
QualityNet Help Desk – 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM CST
General CMS PQRI & ERX Information
PQRI Portal Password Issues
PQRI feedback report availability and access
Phone: 1-866-288-8912
All publicly available information on the CMS Physician Quality Reporting Initiative can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI, on the CMS website.
All publicly available information on the CMS Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive on the CMS website.
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6. 2009 Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) Results Available
The results of the 2009 Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) are now available.
The MCPSS enables CMS to gauge provider satisfaction with key services performed by the Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) contractors that process and pay the more than $300 billion in Medicare claims each year. Respondents rated their FFS contractors between 4 and 6 on a 6-point scale, with “1” representing “not at all satisfied” and “6” representing “completely satisfied.” The 2009 MCPSS marked the fourth annual administration of the survey.
The national average has remained relatively stable through each MCPSS administration. The 2009 national average was 4.54, compared to last year’s national average of 4.51. The MCPSS was sent early this year to more than 32,000 randomly selected providers, including physicians, suppliers, health care practitioners and institutional facilities that serve Medicare beneficiaries across the country.
As in 2008, Provider Inquiries was cited as the top indicator of satisfaction. For the fourth consecutive year this business function was cited as one of the key predictors of provider satisfaction. Claims Processing remained a strong predictor of provider satisfaction as in the past three years.
The public reporting of the results over the last four years has increased awareness about the MCPSS. CMS has used the MCPSS to establish a uniform measure of provider satisfaction with FFS contractor performance. Each FFS contractor receives an individual report of findings specific to their organization, which can be used to implement process improvement initiatives.
The results of the 2009 survey are available through the CMS and MCPSS web pages at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MCPSS/ and https://www.mcpsstudy.org/ .
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7. Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System – September News
1. The Five-Star provider preview reports are available beginning today, Friday September 11, 2009. Providers can access the report from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) State Welcome pages available at the State servers for submission of Minimum Data Set data.
Provider Preview access information:
· Visit the MDS State Welcome page available on the State servers where you submit MDS data to review your results.
· To access these reports, select the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) Reporting link located at the bottom of the login page.
· Once in the CASPER Reporting system,
i. Click on the 'Folders' button and access the Five-Star Report in your 'st LTC facid' folder,
ii. Where st is the 2-digit postal code of the state in which your facility is located, and
iii. Facid is the state assigned facid of your facility.
2. For questions and concerns about the September data, providers can write to BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov. The helpline will reopen in October.
3. Nursing Home Compare will update with September’s Five-Star data on Thursday, September 24, 2009.
4. Please visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CertificationandComplianc/13_FSQRS.asp for the latest Five-Star Quality Rating system information.
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8. Minimum Data Set (MDS) Coding for the 2009-2010 Flu Season
For the purposes of coding the MDS during the upcoming flu season, Nursing Facilities should only code for the "Seasonal Influenza Vaccine." You should not code the MDS for the "H1N1 Influenza Vaccine." Nursing Facilities should follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for specific guidance for H1N1 Influenza. For the most up to date and accurate information it is recommended that you frequently check the CDC Influenza Website (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/). Any additional questions can be directed to mds30comments@cms.hhs.gov.
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9. CMS Proposes New Prospective Payment System for Renal Dialysis Facilities
PROGRAM WOULD REWARD EFFICIENT, HIGH QUALITY CARE
FOR PEOPLE WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a new prospective payment system (PPS) for facilities that provide dialysis services to Medicare beneficiaries who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
The proposed PPS would provide a single bundled payment to dialysis facilities that would cover the items and services used in providing outpatient such services, including the dialysis treatment, prescription drugs, and clinical laboratory tests.
The new payment system, which was required by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), is designed to improve the efficiency of care, while promoting high quality services. Today’s notice proposes three quality measures that CMS plans to use for its quality incentive program (QIP) and lays out a conceptual model for public comment.
“Combining a fully bundled prospective payment system with required performance standards would encourage facilities to operate more efficiently and ensure that beneficiaries receive high quality care, while saving dollars for both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” said Jonathan Blum, director of the CMS Center for Medicare Management.
ESRD is the only category for Medicare eligibility that is based on a specific diagnosis, without regard to the age of the patient. Patients diagnosed with ESRD must rely on dialysis or receive a kidney transplant for survival. In 2007, there were about 591 hospital-based and 4,330 freestanding ESRD facilities furnishing outpatient dialysis services to nearly 330,000 Medicare patients. This total cost of this service was $9.2 billion including the dialysis service and other ESRD-related items such as drugs.
ESRD services are furnished on an outpatient basis in independent or hospital-based dialysis facilities. Currently, Medicare pays for certain dialysis services under a partial bundled rate, referred to as the composite rate. Payments for these composite rate services represent about 60 percent of total Medicare payments to ESRD facilities. The remainder of Medicare spending for dialysis services is for separately billed items such as drugs, but may also include laboratory services, supplies and blood products.
Under the proposed rule, CMS would establish a base bundled payment rate of $198.64 for all of the services related to a dialysis session, including the services in the current composite rate as well as items, including oral drugs that are billed separately. The proposed base rate was derived from 2007 claims data for both composite rate and separately billable services and updated to reflect projected 2011 prices. It would also be adjusted for case mix factors such as the patient’s age, gender, body size, and time on dialysis. A special case-mix adjustment would apply to pediatric patients. Additional adjustments to the payment rate would be made for specific conditions, or co-morbidities that have a significant impact on a course of treatment. By accounting for more characteristics of patients, the new PPS would target payments more appropriately, paying higher rates to those facilities with the most costly patients.
The base rate would also be adjusted to reflect geographic differences in labor costs. In addition, CMS is proposing to provide an adjustment for low-volume facilities, as well as an outlier policy that would make an adjustment for particularly expensive cases.
CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule through November 16, 2009, and will respond to them in a final rule to be issued in 2010. The new payment system would apply to dialysis services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2011.
For more information, please see: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ESRDPayment/ .
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10. October 2009 Average Sales Price (ASP) Files Are Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the October 2009 ASP pricing files and crosswalks, which are available for download at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/McrPartBDrugAvgSalesPrice/01a1_2009aspfiles.asp .
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11. 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.
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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
Saturday, September 19, 2009
US Education Review
ED REVIEW
September 18, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: HIGHER EDUCATION
Last week, Secretary Duncan joined Vice President Joe Biden at Syracuse University for a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, focused on college affordability. Members of the task force reported on some of the work they have been doing, including simplifying the federal loan application process (http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/FAFSA_Report.pdf), implementing the new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan (http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/IBRPlan.jsp), and studying ways to improve Section 529 college savings plans (http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/docs/529.pdf). Also, the task force released a staff report (http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/mctf_staff_report_barriers_to_college_final.pdf) on barriers that still block the pathway to higher education. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/saving-and-paying-for-college-back-to-school/.
This week, the Secretary participated in a press conference and the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/sap_111/saphr3221r_20090915.pdf) in support of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. The bill -- which was just approved by the House -- eliminates subsidies for financial institutions under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program (converting all new federal student lending to the Direct Loan program) and redirects those savings to increasing Pell Grants and funding other early learning, K-12, and postsecondary education programs, including the Early Learning Challenge Fund (http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/earlylearning/elcf-factsheet.html), the American Graduation Initiative (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/investing-in-education-the-american-graduation-initiative/), the College Access and Completion Innovation Fund, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The bill also makes it easier for students and families to apply for federal financial aid by simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (http://www.ed.gov/finaid/info/apply/simplification.html). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/09/09172009a.html.
Meanwhile, the Department announced that the Fiscal Year 2007 national student cohort default rate increased to 6.7%, up from the FY 2006 rate of 5.2%. This default rate is a snapshot in time, representing the cohort of borrowers whose loan repayments came due between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007, and who defaulted before September 30, 2008. Some 3.3 million borrowers entered repayment during this time, and 225,300 borrowers went into default. They attended 5,776 participating institutions. As a historical comparison, in FY 1990, nearly one in four borrowers defaulted on their federal loans when rates set an all-time high of 22.4%. The rate dropped to a record low of 4.5% in FY 2003. Schools with excessive default rates (of at least 40% in a single year or 25% or greater for three consecutive years) may lose eligibility from one or more federal student aid programs. This year, two sites are subject to sanctions. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/defaultmanagement/cdr.html. (The public can search for individual school default rates at http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/COHORT/search_cohort.cfm.)
Note: The Department recently published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees (Team I – program integrity; Team II – foreign schools) to prepare proposed regulations under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The same notice solicits nominations for negotiators. The deadline for nominations is next Friday (September 25). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/negreg-summerfall.html.
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PRACTICE GUIDE
A new practice guide from the What Works Clearinghouse, titled “Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do,” recommends steps that educators, administrators, and policymakers can take, beginning in the ninth-grade, to increase access to higher education. Recognizing that simply providing students with information is insufficient, the guide recommends that high schools offer hands-on assistance and guidance in preparing students for college. The guide also acknowledges implementation challenges and suggests solutions for circumventing roadblocks. What Works is an initiative of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/#hed_pg.
Note: The next Scientific Evidence in Education (SEE) forum, scheduled for September 29 (12:00-1:30 p.m. ET) at the Sumner School (1201 17th Street, N.W.) in Washington, D.C., will discuss the latest research on the topic of pathways to college. These forums are free, but space is limited, so please register in advance online. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.seeforums.org/.
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RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
On September 15, at Highland Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland, Secretary Duncan named 314 schools as “2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools.” This program recognizes high performing schools (whose students, regardless of background, perform in the top 10% on their state assessments [public] or nationally normed assessments [private]) and dramatically improving schools (whose students, at least 40% of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, dramatically improved on tests to score in at least the top 40% statewide). Chief State School Officers nominate public schools. The Council for American Private Education nominates private schools. Of the schools nominated by each state, at least one-third must have 40% or more of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and public schools must meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements, as defined by their states. All schools will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., November 2-3. The principal and a teacher from each school will receive a flag and plaque signifying their Blue Ribbon status. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html.
A day later (September 16), the Secretary joined philanthropist Eli Broad to announce Aldine Independent School District as the winner of the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education -- the largest education prize in America awarded to the most improved urban district. Aldine, located outside of Houston, TX, where four of five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, bested four finalists: Broward County (FL), Gwinnett County (GA), Long Beach (CA), and Socorro (TX). (Aldine had been a three-time finalist. Long Beach won the 2003 prize and is also a three-time finalist. Broward County is a two-time finalist, while this is Gwinnett County’s and Socorro’s first year on the list.) The $2 million prize goes to graduating high school seniors for college scholarships. Aldine receives $1 million, while the other finalists receive $250,000 each. Scholarships are granted to students who demonstrate significant financial need and have a record of academic improvement. Recipients who enroll in four-year colleges receive up to $20,000 ($5,000 per year). Recipients who enroll in two-year colleges receive up to $5,000 ($2,500 per year). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.broadprize.org/.
Also this week, the Intel Corporation named Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) of Aurora as the “Star Innovator” among six winners of the 2009 Intel Schools of Distinction Awards. Intel sponsors the awards to honor schools for implementing innovative math and science programs and serving as models for other schools. The Intel Foundation and sponsoring companies will distribute to this year’s winning schools more than $1.3 million in cash, products, and services. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction/.
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ARRA RECIPIENT REPORTING
The Department has developed new guidance for recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) financial assistance that clarifies and elaborates on the Office of Management and Budget’s Section 1512 reporting guidance. The first document addresses reporting requirements as they apply to the Department’s direct grantees. And, it addresses the requirements for reporting the grants and contracts that the Department’s direct grantees make to other agencies and companies, or subgrantees. The second document tackles job creation and retention estimates by recipients. As the guidance notes, direct grantees and subgrantees must have current DUNS numbers and register in the Central Contract Registration (CCR) database. Direct grantees and subgrantees that will be submitting reports directly into FederalReporting.gov must also register as users at http://www.federalreporting.gov/. Reporting starts October 1. Reports will be made public October 30. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/section-1512.html.
Note: The Department is conducting a web conference on Department-specific guidance on Monday, September 21, at 2:00 p.m. ET. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/web-conferences.html.
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PROJECTIONS TO 2018
The National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) “Projections of Education Statistics to 2018” projects key statistics, including student enrollment, graduates, teachers, and expenditures for elementary and secondary schools and degree-granting institutions. For example: K-12 student enrollment rose 12% between 1993 and 2006 and is projected to increase an additional 8% between 2006 and 2018; postsecondary enrollment rose 28% between 1993 and 2007 and is projected to increase an additional 13% by 2018; and K-12 expenditures (in constant 2006-07 dollars) rose 43% between 1993-94 and 2005-06 and is projected to increase an additional 36% by 2018-19. NCES is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009062.
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ODDS AND ENDS
· In a recent article in American School Board Journal, Secretary Duncan examines the challenges facing urban school districts and calls for school board members to seek active partnerships with city leaders. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.asbj.com/mainmenucategory/archive/2009/september/education-secretary-arne-duncan-the-importance-of-board-and-mayor-partnerships.aspx.
· On September 11, the Department awarded $12.4 million in Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grants, aimed at promoting the instruction of foreign languages critical to national security, to state and local school systems in 24 states and the District of Columbia. The funds will be used in elementary and secondary schools to establish or expand programs of study in one or more “critical foreign languages,” such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, and languages in the Indic, Iranian, and Turkic language families. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/09/09112009.html.
· The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Programs Office is now accepting applications for the “We the People” Bookshelf Project. This year’s theme, “A More Perfect Union,” invites reflection on the idea of the U.S. as a “union,” as “one” as well as “many,” and will complement library programs observing the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. To stimulate programming, the Bookshelf features a DVD edition of “The Civil War,” the award-winning documentary by Ken Burns. Public and K-12 school libraries are invited to apply online through January 29, 2010. In spring 2010, NEH and ALA will select 4,000 libraries to receive the 17 books for young readers, as well as bonus materials for readers of all ages, and the option to receive three titles in Spanish transition. Since 2003, NEH has awarded some 13,000 bookshelves. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/.
· Yesterday (September 17) was Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. In support of students and teachers in their studies, online resources are available from the Department’s Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) web site, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National History Education Clearinghouse. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/constitutionday.html.
· The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s “Education at a Glance 2009” enables the 30 member countries to compare performance using a range of indicators. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO www.oecd.org/edu/eag2009/.
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QUOTE TO NOTE
“I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And, I’ve talked about responsibility a lot. I’ve talked about teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you and pushing you to learn. I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and you don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox. I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working -- where students aren’t getting the opportunities that they deserve. But, at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world, and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter, unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. That’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.”
-- President Barack Obama (9/8/09), from his national address to America’s schoolchildren
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UPCOMING EVENTS
On a weekly basis, the Secretary's public schedule is posted online at http://www.ed.gov/news/events/calendars/secschedule.html.
With $150,000 in new grant funding designated for projects that integrate green-related topics and experiences into the classroom, the National Education Association (NEA) Foundation is growing its Learning and Leadership and Student Achievement grants program for individuals and teams of educators. Public school teachers are eligible to apply for individual grants worth up to $5,000 for development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches for teaching green concepts. The first application deadline is October 15, and the first grants are slated to be awarded in January 2010. The NEA Foundation will award two more rounds of green grants in 2010, with deadlines for applications falling on February 1 and June 1. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/nea-foundation-green-grants/.
On October 22, Lights On Afterschool!, a coast-to-coast rally organized by the Afterschool Alliance, will illuminate the nation by celebrating afterschool programs and the need they meet in keeping students safe, helping working families, and improving academic achievement. This year, 7,500 afterschool programs, including many of the Department's 21st Century Community Learning Centers, will host activities. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm.
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Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs -- Stacey Jordan, (202) 401-0026, mailto:Stacey.Jordan@ed.gov
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
September 18, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: HIGHER EDUCATION
Last week, Secretary Duncan joined Vice President Joe Biden at Syracuse University for a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, focused on college affordability. Members of the task force reported on some of the work they have been doing, including simplifying the federal loan application process (http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/FAFSA_Report.pdf), implementing the new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan (http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/IBRPlan.jsp), and studying ways to improve Section 529 college savings plans (http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/docs/529.pdf). Also, the task force released a staff report (http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/mctf_staff_report_barriers_to_college_final.pdf) on barriers that still block the pathway to higher education. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/saving-and-paying-for-college-back-to-school/.
This week, the Secretary participated in a press conference and the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/sap_111/saphr3221r_20090915.pdf) in support of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. The bill -- which was just approved by the House -- eliminates subsidies for financial institutions under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program (converting all new federal student lending to the Direct Loan program) and redirects those savings to increasing Pell Grants and funding other early learning, K-12, and postsecondary education programs, including the Early Learning Challenge Fund (http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/earlylearning/elcf-factsheet.html), the American Graduation Initiative (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/investing-in-education-the-american-graduation-initiative/), the College Access and Completion Innovation Fund, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The bill also makes it easier for students and families to apply for federal financial aid by simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (http://www.ed.gov/finaid/info/apply/simplification.html). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/09/09172009a.html.
Meanwhile, the Department announced that the Fiscal Year 2007 national student cohort default rate increased to 6.7%, up from the FY 2006 rate of 5.2%. This default rate is a snapshot in time, representing the cohort of borrowers whose loan repayments came due between October 1, 2006, and September 30, 2007, and who defaulted before September 30, 2008. Some 3.3 million borrowers entered repayment during this time, and 225,300 borrowers went into default. They attended 5,776 participating institutions. As a historical comparison, in FY 1990, nearly one in four borrowers defaulted on their federal loans when rates set an all-time high of 22.4%. The rate dropped to a record low of 4.5% in FY 2003. Schools with excessive default rates (of at least 40% in a single year or 25% or greater for three consecutive years) may lose eligibility from one or more federal student aid programs. This year, two sites are subject to sanctions. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/defaultmanagement/cdr.html. (The public can search for individual school default rates at http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/COHORT/search_cohort.cfm.)
Note: The Department recently published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees (Team I – program integrity; Team II – foreign schools) to prepare proposed regulations under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The same notice solicits nominations for negotiators. The deadline for nominations is next Friday (September 25). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/negreg-summerfall.html.
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PRACTICE GUIDE
A new practice guide from the What Works Clearinghouse, titled “Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do,” recommends steps that educators, administrators, and policymakers can take, beginning in the ninth-grade, to increase access to higher education. Recognizing that simply providing students with information is insufficient, the guide recommends that high schools offer hands-on assistance and guidance in preparing students for college. The guide also acknowledges implementation challenges and suggests solutions for circumventing roadblocks. What Works is an initiative of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/#hed_pg.
Note: The next Scientific Evidence in Education (SEE) forum, scheduled for September 29 (12:00-1:30 p.m. ET) at the Sumner School (1201 17th Street, N.W.) in Washington, D.C., will discuss the latest research on the topic of pathways to college. These forums are free, but space is limited, so please register in advance online. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.seeforums.org/.
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RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
On September 15, at Highland Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland, Secretary Duncan named 314 schools as “2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools.” This program recognizes high performing schools (whose students, regardless of background, perform in the top 10% on their state assessments [public] or nationally normed assessments [private]) and dramatically improving schools (whose students, at least 40% of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, dramatically improved on tests to score in at least the top 40% statewide). Chief State School Officers nominate public schools. The Council for American Private Education nominates private schools. Of the schools nominated by each state, at least one-third must have 40% or more of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and public schools must meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements, as defined by their states. All schools will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., November 2-3. The principal and a teacher from each school will receive a flag and plaque signifying their Blue Ribbon status. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html.
A day later (September 16), the Secretary joined philanthropist Eli Broad to announce Aldine Independent School District as the winner of the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education -- the largest education prize in America awarded to the most improved urban district. Aldine, located outside of Houston, TX, where four of five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, bested four finalists: Broward County (FL), Gwinnett County (GA), Long Beach (CA), and Socorro (TX). (Aldine had been a three-time finalist. Long Beach won the 2003 prize and is also a three-time finalist. Broward County is a two-time finalist, while this is Gwinnett County’s and Socorro’s first year on the list.) The $2 million prize goes to graduating high school seniors for college scholarships. Aldine receives $1 million, while the other finalists receive $250,000 each. Scholarships are granted to students who demonstrate significant financial need and have a record of academic improvement. Recipients who enroll in four-year colleges receive up to $20,000 ($5,000 per year). Recipients who enroll in two-year colleges receive up to $5,000 ($2,500 per year). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.broadprize.org/.
Also this week, the Intel Corporation named Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) of Aurora as the “Star Innovator” among six winners of the 2009 Intel Schools of Distinction Awards. Intel sponsors the awards to honor schools for implementing innovative math and science programs and serving as models for other schools. The Intel Foundation and sponsoring companies will distribute to this year’s winning schools more than $1.3 million in cash, products, and services. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction/.
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ARRA RECIPIENT REPORTING
The Department has developed new guidance for recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) financial assistance that clarifies and elaborates on the Office of Management and Budget’s Section 1512 reporting guidance. The first document addresses reporting requirements as they apply to the Department’s direct grantees. And, it addresses the requirements for reporting the grants and contracts that the Department’s direct grantees make to other agencies and companies, or subgrantees. The second document tackles job creation and retention estimates by recipients. As the guidance notes, direct grantees and subgrantees must have current DUNS numbers and register in the Central Contract Registration (CCR) database. Direct grantees and subgrantees that will be submitting reports directly into FederalReporting.gov must also register as users at http://www.federalreporting.gov/. Reporting starts October 1. Reports will be made public October 30. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/section-1512.html.
Note: The Department is conducting a web conference on Department-specific guidance on Monday, September 21, at 2:00 p.m. ET. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/web-conferences.html.
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PROJECTIONS TO 2018
The National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) “Projections of Education Statistics to 2018” projects key statistics, including student enrollment, graduates, teachers, and expenditures for elementary and secondary schools and degree-granting institutions. For example: K-12 student enrollment rose 12% between 1993 and 2006 and is projected to increase an additional 8% between 2006 and 2018; postsecondary enrollment rose 28% between 1993 and 2007 and is projected to increase an additional 13% by 2018; and K-12 expenditures (in constant 2006-07 dollars) rose 43% between 1993-94 and 2005-06 and is projected to increase an additional 36% by 2018-19. NCES is a part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009062.
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ODDS AND ENDS
· In a recent article in American School Board Journal, Secretary Duncan examines the challenges facing urban school districts and calls for school board members to seek active partnerships with city leaders. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.asbj.com/mainmenucategory/archive/2009/september/education-secretary-arne-duncan-the-importance-of-board-and-mayor-partnerships.aspx.
· On September 11, the Department awarded $12.4 million in Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grants, aimed at promoting the instruction of foreign languages critical to national security, to state and local school systems in 24 states and the District of Columbia. The funds will be used in elementary and secondary schools to establish or expand programs of study in one or more “critical foreign languages,” such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, and languages in the Indic, Iranian, and Turkic language families. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/09/09112009.html.
· The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Programs Office is now accepting applications for the “We the People” Bookshelf Project. This year’s theme, “A More Perfect Union,” invites reflection on the idea of the U.S. as a “union,” as “one” as well as “many,” and will complement library programs observing the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. To stimulate programming, the Bookshelf features a DVD edition of “The Civil War,” the award-winning documentary by Ken Burns. Public and K-12 school libraries are invited to apply online through January 29, 2010. In spring 2010, NEH and ALA will select 4,000 libraries to receive the 17 books for young readers, as well as bonus materials for readers of all ages, and the option to receive three titles in Spanish transition. Since 2003, NEH has awarded some 13,000 bookshelves. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/.
· Yesterday (September 17) was Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. In support of students and teachers in their studies, online resources are available from the Department’s Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) web site, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National History Education Clearinghouse. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/constitutionday.html.
· The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s “Education at a Glance 2009” enables the 30 member countries to compare performance using a range of indicators. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO www.oecd.org/edu/eag2009/.
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QUOTE TO NOTE
“I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And, I’ve talked about responsibility a lot. I’ve talked about teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you and pushing you to learn. I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and you don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox. I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working -- where students aren’t getting the opportunities that they deserve. But, at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world, and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter, unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. That’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.”
-- President Barack Obama (9/8/09), from his national address to America’s schoolchildren
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UPCOMING EVENTS
On a weekly basis, the Secretary's public schedule is posted online at http://www.ed.gov/news/events/calendars/secschedule.html.
With $150,000 in new grant funding designated for projects that integrate green-related topics and experiences into the classroom, the National Education Association (NEA) Foundation is growing its Learning and Leadership and Student Achievement grants program for individuals and teams of educators. Public school teachers are eligible to apply for individual grants worth up to $5,000 for development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches for teaching green concepts. The first application deadline is October 15, and the first grants are slated to be awarded in January 2010. The NEA Foundation will award two more rounds of green grants in 2010, with deadlines for applications falling on February 1 and June 1. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/nea-foundation-green-grants/.
On October 22, Lights On Afterschool!, a coast-to-coast rally organized by the Afterschool Alliance, will illuminate the nation by celebrating afterschool programs and the need they meet in keeping students safe, helping working families, and improving academic achievement. This year, 7,500 afterschool programs, including many of the Department's 21st Century Community Learning Centers, will host activities. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm.
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Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs -- Stacey Jordan, (202) 401-0026, mailto:Stacey.Jordan@ed.gov
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
Friday, September 18, 2009
CMS and Medicare
“A quarterly regional publication for health care professionals” Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Denver Regional Office The Pulse of CMS
Grants totaling $564 million to States and Qualified State Designated Entities (SDEs) to support the development of mechanisms for information sharing within an emerging nationwide system of networks.
The Extension Center grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, with the first awards being issued in fiscal year 2010. Grants to States will be made in fiscal year 2010. Those interested in applying for these grants may visit http://HealthIT.HHS.gov for more information. The Department of Health and Human Services will also provide additional assistance to health care providers through the Health Information Technology Research Center (HITRC). The HITRC will gather relevant information on effective practices from a wide variety of sources across the country and help the Regional Extension Centers collaborate with one another and with relevant stakeholders to identify and share best practices in EHR adoption, effective use, and provider support. Inside this Issue... Part D Extra Help Website Available ................... 2 Prepping for Round One DMEPOS Bidding ...... 2 How Shingles Vaccine Is Paid. ............................ 2 DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation ......................... 2 RAC Outreach Schedule ...................................... 3 HHS Website for Health Reform .......................... 3 Proposed Changes to Fee Schedule .................. 3 Proper Use of Provider Call Centers ................... 3 Fraud and Abuse Strike Force ............................. 4 Demos Show Quality Pays ................................... 4
CMS Details Plans for H1N1 Prep
Vice President Joe Biden has announced the availability of grants worth nearly $1.2 billion to help hospitals and health care providers implement and use electronic health records. The grants will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and will help health care providers qualify for new incentives that will be made available in 2010 to doctors and hospitals that meaningfully use electronic health records. The grants made available include: Grants totaling $598 million to establish approximately 70 Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers, which will provide hospitals and clinicians with hands-on technical assistance in the selection, acquisition, implementation, and meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems.
VP Biden Announces $1.2 Billion in Grants for Electronic Health Records
SUMMER 2009
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization confirmed that a global outbreak of H1N1 has occurred and raised the Pandemic Level to the highest Level of 6. For the health care community, this means preparation for community outbreak at the local level. For updated information on Pandemic Preparedness and other emergency events, you can sign up for e-mail alerts from the CDC Physician registry. The site has a new link for physician offices to prepare for Pandemic including a medical officer checklist.
CMS issued information on Medicare fee-for-service policies and procedures in an H1N1 flu pandemic. The 22-page document addresses issues related to H1N1 vaccination, flexibilities available in an emergency or disaster, waivers of certain Medicare requirements in a declared emergency or disaster, and payment polices and billing procedures for various types of health care services and providers. CMS will issue further information that informs the public and contractors concerning payment policy for the H1N1 vaccine and its administration under Medicare fee-for-service. The information presently available to CMS is that the H1N1 vaccine will be made available without charge to hospitals, physicians, and other entities that immunize patients. If the vaccine is made available to providers free of charge, then Medicare will not pay for the vaccine itself. However, Medicare will pay for the administration of the vaccine. For providers, CMS said the payment amount for the H1N1 vaccine's administration will be the same as the payment for administration of seasonal flu vaccine.
Additionally, CMS has established a Preparedness website.
CMS wants to remind all providers that the Internet-based PECOS system is up and running for your Medicare enrollment needs. To view the “Getting Started Guide for Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners,” go to the CMS website. For all information related to PECOS, visit the PECOS page of the website.
The Pulse of CMS Page 2
Website Available for Part D Extra Help
HHS wants to remind providers that extra help is available to their patients. Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources could take advantage of a program where they would pay no more than $2.40 for generic drugs and $6 for brand name drugs. For those who qualify, this program helps pay for prescription copayments, as well as monthly premiums and annual deductibles. Individuals who make less than $16,245 and married couples who make less than $21,855 may qualify. Resources must be limited to $12,510 for individuals and $25,010 for married couples.
To help your patients find out more, please direct them to the Social Security Administration website, or have them call 1-800-772-1213. They should ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. Medicare beneficiaries may also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Attention Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers: The Time is Now to Prepare for Round One Bidding
The Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program Round 1 Rebid is beginning in the fall of 2009. If you are a supplier interested in bidding, prepare now – don’t wait!
UPDATE YOUR NSC FILES: All suppliers must 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. Information and instructions on how to submit a change of information may be found on the NSC Web site and by following this path: Supplier Enrollment/Change of Information/Change of Information Guide.
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.
GET ACCREDITED: Time is running out to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having your Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements along with a list of the accreditation organizations may be found at the CMS website . GET BONDED: 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. See the article below.
Visit the CMS website for the latest information on the DMEPOS competitive bidding program.
DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming in October
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 the CMS website. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the surety bond requirement can be found on the NSC’s FAQ page.
CMS wants to reiterate the policy for coverage of the shingles vaccination. As of January 1, 2008, Medicare pays for the vaccine and the administration of the vaccine for shingles under Part D. Beneficiaries can receive the vaccination in one of two ways:
1) At a network pharmacy (except for the state of Maine), which would bill the beneficiary’s Part D plan directly; or
2) At the beneficiary’s doctor’s office.
If the beneficiary opts to receive the vaccination at a doctor’s office (outside of the Part D plan’s network), the physician would administer the vaccine and then bill the beneficiary for the entire charge, including both components (vaccine and administration). The beneficiary should submit a paper claim to the Part D sponsor for reimbursement of plan-allowable costs for both the vaccine cost and the administration fee.
See the attached MLN Matters article for more information.
Shingles Vaccine Update: How Is It Paid?
The Pulse of CMS Page 3
HHS Website Available for Health Insurance Reform
Provider Outreach Staff:
The Department of Health & Human Services has a comprehensive website for information relating to the Administration’s health insurance reform. Located at HealthReform.gov, the website includes news from the DHHS Secretary, links to information offered by the White House, and an up-to-date listing of events relating to health insurance reform. This multi-media-intensive website should be consulted for all official information and statements relating to the Administration’s efforts at reform. As a reminder, CMS will not comment on pending legislation and will refer those with questions to this website.
Ceilly Robl Phone: (303) 844-4861 E-mail your questions and comments to us at:
PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
Reminder about Contractor Provider Call Centers
Medicare Provider Call Centers across the nation have been receiving an increasing number of calls each month from beneficiaries referred by the provider community. CMS would like to remind providers that provider call centers are not equipped to serve the beneficiary community and will have to refer them to 1-800-MEDICARE. Please remember to refer Medicare beneficiaries to 1-800-MEDICARE, or to the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov.
CMS has announced proposed changes to policies and payment rates for services to be furnished during calendar year (CY) 2010 by over 1 million physicians and non-physician practitioners who are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). CMS is making several proposals to refine Medicare payments to physicians, which are expected to increase payment rates for primary care services. The proposals include an update to the practice expense component of physician fees. For 2010, CMS is proposing to include data about physicians’ practice costs from a new survey, the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS), designed and conducted by the American Medical Association. As part of health care reform, the Administration supports comprehensive, but fiscally responsible, reforms to the physician payment formula. Consistent with this goal, the Administration announced in the FY 2010 President’s Budget that it would explore the breadth of options available under current authority to facilitate such reforms, including an assessment of whether the cost of physician-administered drugs should continue to be included in the payment formula. CMS is proposing to remove physician-administered drugs from the definition of “physician services” for purposes of computing the physician update formula in anticipation of enactment of legislation to provide fundamental reforms to Medicare physician payments. CMS is also proposing to stop making payment for consultation codes, which are typically billed by specialists and are paid at a higher rate than equivalent evaluation and management (E/M) services. Practitioners will use existing E/M service codes when providing these services instead. Resulting savings would be redistributed to increase payments for the existing E/M services.
CMS is proposing to increase the payment rates for the Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE), also called the “Welcome to Medicare” visit to be more in line with payment rates for higher complexity services. Subsequently, Congress extended the time period for the IPPE benefit to within one year of the beneficiary’s enrollment in Part B. The proposed rule contains a number of provisions to promote improvement in quality of care and patient outcomes through revisions to the Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (e-Prescribing Program) and the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). Eligible professionals or group practices that meet the requirements of each program in CY 2010 will be eligible for incentive payments. CMS is proposing to simplify the reporting requirements for the electronic prescribing measure and to provide eligible professionals with more reporting options. CMS will respond to all comments received in a final rule to be issued by November 1, 2009. Unless otherwise specified, the new payment rates and policies will apply to services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2010. For more information on the proposed rule, please see:
www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx#special or
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/public-inspection/index.html
CMS Announces Proposed Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Resources for Medicare Caregivers
State Health Insurance Program Offices
The Pulse of CMS Page 4
Information Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is intended only to be general summary information to the Region VIII provider community. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Links to Other Resources: Our newsletter may link to other federal agencies. You are subject to those sites’ privacy policies. Reference in this newsletter to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, HHS or CMS. HHS or CMS is not responsible for the contents of any “off-site” resource identified.
Turning Up the “H.E.A.T.” on Fraud & Abuse
Demonstrations being conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continue to provide strong evidence that offering financial incentives for improving or delivering high quality care increases quality and can reduce the growth in Medicare expenditures. CMS has announced new results from three of these demonstrations, one for large physician practices, one for small and solo physician practices, and one for hospitals. CMS has also announced the start of three additional value based purchasing demonstrations. The CMS value-based purchasing (VBP) initiative is designed to tie Medicare payments to performance on quality and efficiency and is part of CMS’ effort to transform Medicare from a passive payer to an active purchaser of higher quality, more efficient health care. Entering its fifth year, the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) shows continued quality improvement among participating hospitals. In addition, physician practices participating in the Physician Group Practice (PGP) Demonstration continue to improve quality for patients with chronic illnesses or requiring preventive care. And more than 560 small and solo physician practices participating in the Medicare Care Management Performance (MCMP) Demonstration are being rewarded for providing high quality care in the delivery of preventive care and care for patients with chronic illnesses.
New demonstration programs include the Nursing Home Value-Based Purchasing Demonstration,
the Medicare Hospital Gainsharing Demonstration, and the Physician Hospital Collaboration Demonstration. The nursing home demonstration program will reward facilities that can improve or deliver high quality care in four specific areas: staffing, resident outcomes, avoidable hospitalizations and reductions in deficiency citations. The gainsharing and physician hospital collaboration programs will evaluate whether gainsharing leads to improvements in quality and efficiency. The demonstrations provide a promising opportunity for hospitals and physicians to join forces to improve quality and efficiency of care, establish effective means to govern use of inpatient resources, reduce costs, and share the rewards. Overall, demonstrations give CMS the opportunity to work closely with providers to improve quality and efficiency and serve as a vehicle to test various VBP methodologies.
To view the full press release, go to the CMS Media Center on the website. For additional information on value based purchasing demonstrations, visit the demonstrations webpage.
Medicare Demonstrations Show Paying for Quality Health Care Pays Off
Fifty-three people have been indicted for schemes to submit more than $50 million in false Medicare claims in the continuing operation of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Detroit. The Strike Force in Detroit is the third phase of a targeted criminal, civil and administrative effort against individuals and health care companies that fraudulently bill the Medicare program. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force is a multi-agency team of federal, state and local investigators designed to combat Medicare fraud through the use of Medicare data analysis techniques and an increased focus on community policing. The Strike Force operations in Detroit are part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), a renewed effort announced in May 2009 between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their joint efforts to prevent fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. The HEAT taskforce is made up of top-level law enforcement agents, prosecutors and staff from both Departments and their operating divisions. The Strike Force operations in Detroit have identified two primary areas – infusion therapy and physical/occupational therapy providers – in which schemes were allegedly orchestrated to defraud the Medicare program. According to the indictments, the defendants charged participated in schemes to submit claims to Medicare for treatments that were in fact medically unnecessary and oftentimes, never provided. In many cases, indictments allege that beneficiaries accepted cash kickbacks in return for allowing providers to submit forms saying they had received the unnecessary and not provided treatments. Collectively, the physicians, medical assistants, patients, company owners and executives charged in the indictments are accused of conspiring to submit more than $50 million in false claims to the Medicare program. Since its inception in March 2007 with phase one in South Florida and expansion to phase two in Los Angeles in May 2008, the Strike Force has obtained indictments of more than 250 individuals and organizations that collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $600 million.
To learn more about the HEAT team, go to: www.hhs.gov/stopmedicarefraud
1600 Broadway Suite 700 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: 303-844-2111 Fax: 303-844-3753
Email: PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
Denver Regional Office:
Grants totaling $564 million to States and Qualified State Designated Entities (SDEs) to support the development of mechanisms for information sharing within an emerging nationwide system of networks.
The Extension Center grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, with the first awards being issued in fiscal year 2010. Grants to States will be made in fiscal year 2010. Those interested in applying for these grants may visit http://HealthIT.HHS.gov for more information. The Department of Health and Human Services will also provide additional assistance to health care providers through the Health Information Technology Research Center (HITRC). The HITRC will gather relevant information on effective practices from a wide variety of sources across the country and help the Regional Extension Centers collaborate with one another and with relevant stakeholders to identify and share best practices in EHR adoption, effective use, and provider support. Inside this Issue... Part D Extra Help Website Available ................... 2 Prepping for Round One DMEPOS Bidding ...... 2 How Shingles Vaccine Is Paid. ............................ 2 DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation ......................... 2 RAC Outreach Schedule ...................................... 3 HHS Website for Health Reform .......................... 3 Proposed Changes to Fee Schedule .................. 3 Proper Use of Provider Call Centers ................... 3 Fraud and Abuse Strike Force ............................. 4 Demos Show Quality Pays ................................... 4
CMS Details Plans for H1N1 Prep
Vice President Joe Biden has announced the availability of grants worth nearly $1.2 billion to help hospitals and health care providers implement and use electronic health records. The grants will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and will help health care providers qualify for new incentives that will be made available in 2010 to doctors and hospitals that meaningfully use electronic health records. The grants made available include: Grants totaling $598 million to establish approximately 70 Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers, which will provide hospitals and clinicians with hands-on technical assistance in the selection, acquisition, implementation, and meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems.
VP Biden Announces $1.2 Billion in Grants for Electronic Health Records
SUMMER 2009
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization confirmed that a global outbreak of H1N1 has occurred and raised the Pandemic Level to the highest Level of 6. For the health care community, this means preparation for community outbreak at the local level. For updated information on Pandemic Preparedness and other emergency events, you can sign up for e-mail alerts from the CDC Physician registry. The site has a new link for physician offices to prepare for Pandemic including a medical officer checklist.
CMS issued information on Medicare fee-for-service policies and procedures in an H1N1 flu pandemic. The 22-page document addresses issues related to H1N1 vaccination, flexibilities available in an emergency or disaster, waivers of certain Medicare requirements in a declared emergency or disaster, and payment polices and billing procedures for various types of health care services and providers. CMS will issue further information that informs the public and contractors concerning payment policy for the H1N1 vaccine and its administration under Medicare fee-for-service. The information presently available to CMS is that the H1N1 vaccine will be made available without charge to hospitals, physicians, and other entities that immunize patients. If the vaccine is made available to providers free of charge, then Medicare will not pay for the vaccine itself. However, Medicare will pay for the administration of the vaccine. For providers, CMS said the payment amount for the H1N1 vaccine's administration will be the same as the payment for administration of seasonal flu vaccine.
Additionally, CMS has established a Preparedness website.
CMS wants to remind all providers that the Internet-based PECOS system is up and running for your Medicare enrollment needs. To view the “Getting Started Guide for Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners,” go to the CMS website. For all information related to PECOS, visit the PECOS page of the website.
The Pulse of CMS Page 2
Website Available for Part D Extra Help
HHS wants to remind providers that extra help is available to their patients. Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources could take advantage of a program where they would pay no more than $2.40 for generic drugs and $6 for brand name drugs. For those who qualify, this program helps pay for prescription copayments, as well as monthly premiums and annual deductibles. Individuals who make less than $16,245 and married couples who make less than $21,855 may qualify. Resources must be limited to $12,510 for individuals and $25,010 for married couples.
To help your patients find out more, please direct them to the Social Security Administration website, or have them call 1-800-772-1213. They should ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. Medicare beneficiaries may also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Attention Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers: The Time is Now to Prepare for Round One Bidding
The Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program Round 1 Rebid is beginning in the fall of 2009. If you are a supplier interested in bidding, prepare now – don’t wait!
UPDATE YOUR NSC FILES: All suppliers must 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. Information and instructions on how to submit a change of information may be found on the NSC Web site and by following this path: Supplier Enrollment/Change of Information/Change of Information Guide.
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.
GET ACCREDITED: Time is running out to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having your Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements along with a list of the accreditation organizations may be found at the CMS website . GET BONDED: 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. See the article below.
Visit the CMS website for the latest information on the DMEPOS competitive bidding program.
DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming in October
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 the CMS website. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the surety bond requirement can be found on the NSC’s FAQ page.
CMS wants to reiterate the policy for coverage of the shingles vaccination. As of January 1, 2008, Medicare pays for the vaccine and the administration of the vaccine for shingles under Part D. Beneficiaries can receive the vaccination in one of two ways:
1) At a network pharmacy (except for the state of Maine), which would bill the beneficiary’s Part D plan directly; or
2) At the beneficiary’s doctor’s office.
If the beneficiary opts to receive the vaccination at a doctor’s office (outside of the Part D plan’s network), the physician would administer the vaccine and then bill the beneficiary for the entire charge, including both components (vaccine and administration). The beneficiary should submit a paper claim to the Part D sponsor for reimbursement of plan-allowable costs for both the vaccine cost and the administration fee.
See the attached MLN Matters article for more information.
Shingles Vaccine Update: How Is It Paid?
The Pulse of CMS Page 3
HHS Website Available for Health Insurance Reform
Provider Outreach Staff:
The Department of Health & Human Services has a comprehensive website for information relating to the Administration’s health insurance reform. Located at HealthReform.gov, the website includes news from the DHHS Secretary, links to information offered by the White House, and an up-to-date listing of events relating to health insurance reform. This multi-media-intensive website should be consulted for all official information and statements relating to the Administration’s efforts at reform. As a reminder, CMS will not comment on pending legislation and will refer those with questions to this website.
Ceilly Robl Phone: (303) 844-4861 E-mail your questions and comments to us at:
PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
Reminder about Contractor Provider Call Centers
Medicare Provider Call Centers across the nation have been receiving an increasing number of calls each month from beneficiaries referred by the provider community. CMS would like to remind providers that provider call centers are not equipped to serve the beneficiary community and will have to refer them to 1-800-MEDICARE. Please remember to refer Medicare beneficiaries to 1-800-MEDICARE, or to the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov.
CMS has announced proposed changes to policies and payment rates for services to be furnished during calendar year (CY) 2010 by over 1 million physicians and non-physician practitioners who are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). CMS is making several proposals to refine Medicare payments to physicians, which are expected to increase payment rates for primary care services. The proposals include an update to the practice expense component of physician fees. For 2010, CMS is proposing to include data about physicians’ practice costs from a new survey, the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS), designed and conducted by the American Medical Association. As part of health care reform, the Administration supports comprehensive, but fiscally responsible, reforms to the physician payment formula. Consistent with this goal, the Administration announced in the FY 2010 President’s Budget that it would explore the breadth of options available under current authority to facilitate such reforms, including an assessment of whether the cost of physician-administered drugs should continue to be included in the payment formula. CMS is proposing to remove physician-administered drugs from the definition of “physician services” for purposes of computing the physician update formula in anticipation of enactment of legislation to provide fundamental reforms to Medicare physician payments. CMS is also proposing to stop making payment for consultation codes, which are typically billed by specialists and are paid at a higher rate than equivalent evaluation and management (E/M) services. Practitioners will use existing E/M service codes when providing these services instead. Resulting savings would be redistributed to increase payments for the existing E/M services.
CMS is proposing to increase the payment rates for the Initial Preventive Physical Exam (IPPE), also called the “Welcome to Medicare” visit to be more in line with payment rates for higher complexity services. Subsequently, Congress extended the time period for the IPPE benefit to within one year of the beneficiary’s enrollment in Part B. The proposed rule contains a number of provisions to promote improvement in quality of care and patient outcomes through revisions to the Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (e-Prescribing Program) and the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). Eligible professionals or group practices that meet the requirements of each program in CY 2010 will be eligible for incentive payments. CMS is proposing to simplify the reporting requirements for the electronic prescribing measure and to provide eligible professionals with more reporting options. CMS will respond to all comments received in a final rule to be issued by November 1, 2009. Unless otherwise specified, the new payment rates and policies will apply to services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2010. For more information on the proposed rule, please see:
www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx#special or
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/public-inspection/index.html
CMS Announces Proposed Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Resources for Medicare Caregivers
State Health Insurance Program Offices
The Pulse of CMS Page 4
Information Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is intended only to be general summary information to the Region VIII provider community. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Links to Other Resources: Our newsletter may link to other federal agencies. You are subject to those sites’ privacy policies. Reference in this newsletter to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, HHS or CMS. HHS or CMS is not responsible for the contents of any “off-site” resource identified.
Turning Up the “H.E.A.T.” on Fraud & Abuse
Demonstrations being conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continue to provide strong evidence that offering financial incentives for improving or delivering high quality care increases quality and can reduce the growth in Medicare expenditures. CMS has announced new results from three of these demonstrations, one for large physician practices, one for small and solo physician practices, and one for hospitals. CMS has also announced the start of three additional value based purchasing demonstrations. The CMS value-based purchasing (VBP) initiative is designed to tie Medicare payments to performance on quality and efficiency and is part of CMS’ effort to transform Medicare from a passive payer to an active purchaser of higher quality, more efficient health care. Entering its fifth year, the Hospital Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) shows continued quality improvement among participating hospitals. In addition, physician practices participating in the Physician Group Practice (PGP) Demonstration continue to improve quality for patients with chronic illnesses or requiring preventive care. And more than 560 small and solo physician practices participating in the Medicare Care Management Performance (MCMP) Demonstration are being rewarded for providing high quality care in the delivery of preventive care and care for patients with chronic illnesses.
New demonstration programs include the Nursing Home Value-Based Purchasing Demonstration,
the Medicare Hospital Gainsharing Demonstration, and the Physician Hospital Collaboration Demonstration. The nursing home demonstration program will reward facilities that can improve or deliver high quality care in four specific areas: staffing, resident outcomes, avoidable hospitalizations and reductions in deficiency citations. The gainsharing and physician hospital collaboration programs will evaluate whether gainsharing leads to improvements in quality and efficiency. The demonstrations provide a promising opportunity for hospitals and physicians to join forces to improve quality and efficiency of care, establish effective means to govern use of inpatient resources, reduce costs, and share the rewards. Overall, demonstrations give CMS the opportunity to work closely with providers to improve quality and efficiency and serve as a vehicle to test various VBP methodologies.
To view the full press release, go to the CMS Media Center on the website. For additional information on value based purchasing demonstrations, visit the demonstrations webpage.
Medicare Demonstrations Show Paying for Quality Health Care Pays Off
Fifty-three people have been indicted for schemes to submit more than $50 million in false Medicare claims in the continuing operation of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Detroit. The Strike Force in Detroit is the third phase of a targeted criminal, civil and administrative effort against individuals and health care companies that fraudulently bill the Medicare program. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force is a multi-agency team of federal, state and local investigators designed to combat Medicare fraud through the use of Medicare data analysis techniques and an increased focus on community policing. The Strike Force operations in Detroit are part of the Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), a renewed effort announced in May 2009 between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their joint efforts to prevent fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. The HEAT taskforce is made up of top-level law enforcement agents, prosecutors and staff from both Departments and their operating divisions. The Strike Force operations in Detroit have identified two primary areas – infusion therapy and physical/occupational therapy providers – in which schemes were allegedly orchestrated to defraud the Medicare program. According to the indictments, the defendants charged participated in schemes to submit claims to Medicare for treatments that were in fact medically unnecessary and oftentimes, never provided. In many cases, indictments allege that beneficiaries accepted cash kickbacks in return for allowing providers to submit forms saying they had received the unnecessary and not provided treatments. Collectively, the physicians, medical assistants, patients, company owners and executives charged in the indictments are accused of conspiring to submit more than $50 million in false claims to the Medicare program. Since its inception in March 2007 with phase one in South Florida and expansion to phase two in Los Angeles in May 2008, the Strike Force has obtained indictments of more than 250 individuals and organizations that collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $600 million.
To learn more about the HEAT team, go to: www.hhs.gov/stopmedicarefraud
1600 Broadway Suite 700 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: 303-844-2111 Fax: 303-844-3753
Email: PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
Denver Regional Office:
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