CMS & US Oncology Physician Services News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that the specifications for the E-Prescribing measure, which will be used to determine whether an eligible professional is a successful E-Prescriber and may qualify for a 2% incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period, has been posted to the CMS website. The measure specifications may be found in the “Downloads” section of the E-Prescribing Incentive Program webpage at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/03_EPrescribingIncentiveProgram.asp#TopOfPage on the CMS website.

An eligible professional does not have to enroll in order to participate in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. Furthermore, an eligible professional does not need to participate in PQRI in order to participate in this incentive program.

Beginning January 1, 2009, eligible professionals may participate in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program by submitting information required by the E-Prescribing measure on their Medicare Part B claims.

Detailed information on the implementation of the E-Prescribing Incentive Program for 2009 may be found in the final 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule with comment period that was published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2008. A copy of the final rule with comment period is on display at the Federal Register and can be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/physician.asp on the CMS website.


The revised Facilitator's Guide - Companion to Medicare Physician Guide: A Resource for Residents, Practicing Physicians, and Other Health Care Professionals (October 2008) is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. This publication, which includes all the information and instructions necessary to prepare for and present a Medicare Resident, Practicing Physician, and Other Health Care Professional Training Program including instructions for facilitators, customization guide, a PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes, pre- and post-assessments, master assessment answer keys, and evaluation tools, may be accessed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/MPUB/list.asp.


The ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System Fact Sheet, which provides general information about the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including benefits of adopting the new coding system, structural differences between ICD-9 CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS, and implementation planning recommendations, 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/MLNProducts/01_Overview.asp, scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”


****US Oncology Physician Services news****
US Oncology Physician Services is an ANCO Corporate Member. US Oncology Physician Services is hosting a webcast entitled Legislative, Regulatory, and Community Action Update on Thursday, December 11th, at 12PM. This interactive webcast will discuss the impact of the new administration on healthcare and oncology; provide an update on policy, laws, and regulations; and, highlight changes to expect in 2009. Visit www.opspharmacist.com/opes for more information and to register.