CMS & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
Physicians and Other Health Professionals Value-Based Purchasing Issues Paper Posted
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the Issues Paper that is part of the development of a Plan to transition to a Medicare Value-Based Purchasing Program for physician and other professional services, as required by Section 131(d) of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). The Issues Paper is posted on the CMS Website Physician Center Spotlights at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/physician.asp.

This Issues Paper will be the basis of a Listening Session to be held at the CMS Central Facility on December 9, 2008, from 10 AM EST to 4 PM EST. The notice for this meeting was published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2008. Physicians and other professionals, their associations, health care purchasers, consumers, and all other interested parties are invited to participate, in person or by calling in to the teleconference. The issues identified and discussed during this meeting will assist CMS in developing options for the Plan. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to space and teleconference lines available.

Interested parties are reminded that to participate, either in person or by teleconference, on‑line registration is required via the CMS website at: http://registration.intercall.com/go/cms2. Registration will close at 5 PM EST on Tuesday, December 2, 2008.

Written comments or statements on the Issues Paper are welcome and may be sent via email toPhysicianVBP@cms.hhs.gov; faxed to 410-786-8005; or sent via regular mail to: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, Mail Stop C5-15-02, Attn: Physician VBP Comments. All persons planning to make a statement in person at the Listening Session are urged to submit statements in writing during the Listening Session and should subsequently submit the information electronically. The deadline for receipt of comments is 5 PM EST on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.

For further information regarding the December 9, 2008 Listening Session, contact Robin Phillips, at 410-786-3010 in the Provider Communications Group. Inquiries may also be sent via e‑mail to mpf@cms.hhs.gov

Listening Session Format
The Listening Session will consider the key design issues raised in the Issues Paper. The session will begin at 10 AM EST with an overview of the objectives for the session and a brief summary of the approach to developing the Plan. Beginning at approximately 10:30 AM EST, the remainder of the meeting will be devoted to presenting and receiving comments on key design and policy issues for each of the major components for the Plan: (1) measures, (2) incentive structure, (3) data strategy and infrastructure, and (4) public reporting. The agenda will provide opportunities for brief 2-minute comments on each of the key issues from on-site session attendees. As time allows, telephone participants will also have the opportunity to provide brief 2-minute comments. A lunch break will occur from approximately 12:15 to 1 PM EST. The meeting will conclude by 4 PM EST with brief comments on next steps.

The final Agenda and copies of the PowerPoint slides to be used in the Listening Session will be posted by 5 PM EST Friday, December 5, 2008, on the CMS Website Physician Center Spotlights at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/physician.asp.


MM6229 – Remittance Advice Remark Code (RARC) and Claim Adjustment Reason Code (CARC) Update
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6229.pdf

SE0831 – Steps for IACS Defined “Organizations” to Access Their Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Feedback Reports
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0831.pdf

SE0830 – Steps for Eligible Professionals to Access Their Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Feedback Reports
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0830.pdf


Medicare Part B Drug Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP): Feedback about the CAP – A Special Open Door Forum (ODF) Teleconference on the 2009 CAP Postponement and How to Submit E-mail Comments
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is soliciting public feedback about the CAP. CMS is interested in hearing about a range of issues, including, but not limited to:
§ the categories of drugs provided under the CAP
§ the distribution of areas that are served by the CAP
§ procedural changes that may increase the program's flexibility and appeal to potential vendors and physicians.

On December 3, 2008, CMS will host a Special ODF Teleconference to obtain feedback about the program. This teleconference will be a listening session and is intended for current and former participating CAP physicians, potential Approved CAP Vendors, and any other interested parties. CMS will assess the information that it receives as it considers implementing changes to the CAP.

Call Details:

Date and Time: December 3, 2008 from 2:00-3:30PM EST
Toll Free Call Number: (800) 837-1935
Conference ID: 66307647

Interested parties can also submit comments to the CAP e-mailbox at MMA303DDrugBid@cms.hhs.gov


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
December 2008 J1 A/B MAC Medicare Advisory
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20A~Publications~Medicare%20Advisory~December%202008%20J1%20AB%20MAC%20Medicare%20Advisory?opendocument

The December 2008 J1 A/B MAC Medicare Advisory is now available to be
viewed on the Palmetto GBA Web site.


Medicare's Practical Guide to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program is now
available online!
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Current%20News~Medicares%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20the%20E-Prescribing%20Incentive%20Program%20is%20now%20available%20online!?opendocument

The guide explains the e-prescribing incentive program, how eligible
professionals can participate, and how to choose a qualified e-prescribing
system. By adopting e-prescribing through Medicare's program, eligible
professionals can save time, enhance office and pharmacy productivity, and
improve patient safety and quality of care while earning incentives from
Medicare.


Medicare Part B Drug Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP): Feedback about
the CAP - A Special Open Door Forum (ODF) Teleconference on the 2009 CAP
Postponement and How to Submit E-mail Comments
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Current%20News~Medicare%20Part%20B%20Drug%20Competitive%20Acquisition%20Program%20(CAP):%20Feedback%20about%20the%20CAP%20-%20A%20Special%20Open%20Door%20Forum%20(ODF)%20Teleconference%20on%20the%202009%20CAP%20Postponement%20and%20How%20to%20Submit%20E-mail%20Comments?opendocument

On December 3, 2008, CMS will host a Special ODF Teleconference to obtain
feedback about the program. This teleconference will be a listening session
and is intended for current and former participating CAP physicians,
potential Approved CAP Vendors, and any other interested parties. CMS will
assess the information that it receives as it considers implementing
changes to the CAP.


Part B LCD Update
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20B~Part%20B%20LCD%20Update?opendocument

There are four J1 Part B LCD updates.


Physicians and Other Health Professionals Value-Based Purchasing Issues
Paper Posted
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Current%20News~Physicians%20and%20Other%20Health%20Professionals%20Value-Based%20Purchasing%20Issues%20Paper%20Posted%20?opendocument

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the Issues
Paper that is part of the development of a Plan to transition to a Medicare
Value-Based Purchasing Program for physician and other professional
services, as required by Section 131(d) of the Medicare Improvements for
Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). This Issues Paper will be the
basis of a Listening Session to be held at the CMS Central Facility on
December 9, 2008, from 10 AM EST to 4 PM EST.