ACCC, ASH, CMS, & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****ACCC NEWS****
The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) ACCConnect was published and is available online at http://www.accc-cancer.org/mediaroom/newsletters/2009/media_ACCConnect_8-26-2009.html. ANCO is an Institutional Member of ACCC. This edition features:

$1.2B in Grants Available for Hospitals and Other Providers for EHR

PQRI Payment Coming in October

Genetic Counseling: Heard on ACCC's Listserve

ICD-10-CMs Are Coming. Are You Ready?

ACCC Seeks Nominations for Two 2010 Prestigious Awards

ESAs and Iron Supplementation


Community Perspective on Multiple Myeloma Management Strategies
The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) and Medscape Oncology have launched a new online educational initiative that offers a community-provider perspective about emerging data and treatment strategies presented at scientific meetings, such as those of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

While much of the data coming out of large national meetings is important and relevant to cancer patients and providers, sometimes it is not clear how this information translates into practice in the community setting. With this in mind, ACCC and Medscape have teamed up to provide community-based oncologists, nurses, pharmacists, and others with perspectives from their colleagues in the field.

The first program explores multiple myeloma and looks at data presented at ASCO and the European Hematology Association meetings.

Visit https://profreg.medscape.com/px/getlogin.do;meddomainjsession=3xKYKdhXFFJ16GGTffgCvQbQFq3PrQBtw2XrG8JqnYLRyH0WPRK0!421957684?urlCache=aHR0cDovL2NtZS5tZWRzY2FwZS5jb20vdmlld2NvbGxlY3Rpb24vMzA0MTc/c3JjPWNtZV9leHRfcHJvbW8=
to view the online program. If you are not registered with Medscape, you will need to sign up.

CMEs for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists are available.


****ASH NEWS****
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) Practice Update was published and is available online at http://www.hematology.org/Practice/Practice-Updates/4174.aspx. This edition features:

White House Reaffirms Commitment to Medicare Physician Payment Fix

ASH Comments on Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Changes

ASH Comments on Proposed HOPPS

FDA Publishes Two New Rules Related to Investigational Drugs

Medicare Average Sales Price Updates Available

ARRA Grants Available for Electronic Health Records

Planning for a Successful Implementation of ICD-10

Only Two Days Left to Register for the 2009 ASH State-of-the-Art Symposium


****CMS NEWS****
The revised publication titled ICD-10-CM/PCS: An Introduction Fact Sheet (August 2009), which was previously titled ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System Fact Sheet, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ICD-10factsheet2009.pdf . This fact sheet provides general information about the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including benefits of adopting the new coding system, structural differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS, and implementation planning recommendations.


MM6570 – New Waived Tests
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6570.pdf


The revised ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark (August 2009), which provides information about the ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including the benefits of adopting the coding system, recommended steps to be taken in order to plan and prepare for implementation of the coding system, and where additional information about the coding system can be found, is now available in print format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”


SE0916 – Medicare Parts A and B Coverage and Prior Authorization
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0916.pdf


MM6617 – October Update to the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6617.pdf


MM6594 – Addition/Deletion of HCPCS Codes – October 2009 Quarterly Update
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6594.pdf


MM6568 – Medicare Part A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Pricer Update FY 2010
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6568.pdf


MM6609 – Claim Status Category Code and Claim Status Code Update
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6609.pdf


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
Appropriate Use of Modifier 50 and Add-On Current Procedural Terminology
Codes (CPT) for Facet Joint Injection Services (Corrected)
Note: This article was revised on August 10, 2009, to reflect a revision made to CR6518. The transmittal number (see above) and the Web address for accessing CR6518 have been changed. All other information remains the same. The article clarifies the appropriate use of modifier 50 and add-on codes for facet joint injection services. Physicians should ensure that billing staffs are aware of this clarification.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7V8KYR7501?opendocument


Taking EDI to the Next Level: 3rd Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will present the third in a series of National Education Conference Calls focused on Medicare's Fee-for-Service (FFS) implementation of HIPAA Version 5010 on September 9, 2009, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. The presentation is geared to billing software programmers or developers that reside within provider organizations.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7V8L526043?opendocument


The ABCs of the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Program and How toRespond to CERT Requests (Revised August 2009)
Revised August 2009 - Learn the ABCs of the Comprehensive Error RateTesting (CERT) Program and how to Respond to CERT Requests!
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7V5JR71776?opendocument


Rescheduled Webinar: Part B Top 10 Billing Errors from August 26 to September 9
Please note the Palmetto GBA J1 Part B free Webinar on Top 10 Billing Errors has been rescheduled from August 26 to Wednesday, September 9. If you have registered for the Webinar, no action from you is required. Your registration information will be transferred automatically to the new date.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7UKT6J1472?opendocument


Vice President Biden Announces Availability of Nearly $1.2 Billion in Grants to Help Hospitals and Doctors Use Electronic Health Records
Vice President Joe Biden announced on August 20, 2009, 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.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7V8FEX6038?opendocument


J1 Part B LCD Update
Several J1 Part B LCDs have been updated. Please review and alert your staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VAQ7Q4648?opendocument


Provider Web portal of Health Data Insights (HDI) Is Live
The provider Web portal of Health Data Insights (HDI) has been approved by CMS and is currently available for providers at
http://racinfo.healthdatainsights.com or www.racinfo.com.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7V3LHH7763?opendocument


Medicare Secondary Payer Changes: Paper Claims
This article explains the changes that apply to Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) paper claims and become effective for claims processed on and after September 1, 2009.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7V9KMN5341?opendocument


September J1 A/B MAC Medicare Advisory
The September J1 Medicare Advisory is now available.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VAT9G7233?opendocument


Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Codes (HPTC): October 1, 2009 Update
CMS has released the summary of changes reflected in the Health Care Provider Taxonomy Code (HPTC) list. Medicare carriers and DME MACs will update their HPTC tables with this new version effective on October 1, 2009. Please review the information and stay current on all HIPAA requirements to assure timely processing of your claims.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VBKAL6460?opendocument


Advance Notice To Those Billing Lab Services
The Medicare Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) contractor’s review of services billed to Medicare for lab services has identified a high claims payment error rate for the claims. As a result Palmetto GBA will soon be doing medical review of these claims and it’s likely that some of your claims will be selected. Please review and share with your staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VGK2J5788?opendocument