ACCC, ASH, & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****ACCC NEWS****
The Association of Community Cancer Center's (ACCC) Connect was published and is available online at http://www.accc-cancer.org/mediaroom/newsletters/2009/media_ACCConnect_9-9-2009.html. ANCO is an Institutional Member of ACCC. This edition features:

A Push for Consensus in Healthcare Reform

Three ACCC Educational Projects with Your Needs in Mind

New Toolkit Helps Expedite Clinical Trial Contract Negotiations

NCI Plans to Expand Outreach through Community-based Research Programs

New Patient Brochure on Palliative Care Offers Answers, Highlights Benefits

FDA Approves Zevalin Expanded Label as Part of First-Line Therapy in Treatment of Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Virtual Tumor Board: Early Breast Cance


****ASH NEWS****
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) Practice Update was published and is available online at http://www.hematology.org/Practice/Practice-Updates/4241.aspx. This edition features:

President Obama’s Speech to Congress Reignites Efforts to Pass a Bill this Year

PQRI National Provider Call With Q&A – Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 2:30-4:30 EDT

New Medicare Guidance – Coverage and Reimbursement Rules for the H1N1 Vaccine

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Recommends that CMS Should Explore Finding Savings When Multiple Non-Imaging and Non-Surgical Procedures Performed on the Same Day – Impact for Hematology


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
J1 Provider Outreach and Education Event Calendar
Palmetto GBA J1 Learning and Education Event Calendar for September 2009 is now available on our Web site.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7TAL2C7131?opendocument


2010 Annual Update of HCPCS Codes for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Consolidated Billing (CB) for the Common Working File (CWF), A/B MACs,
Medicare Carriers and Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs)
This article is based on Change Request (CR) 6619 which provides the 2010
annual update of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes
for Skilled Nursing Facility Consolidated Billing (SNF CB) that will be
used in Medicare claims processing systems. Be sure billing staff are aware
of these updates.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VQRS70106?opendocument


October Update to the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database
(MPFSDB) Revised
This article was revised on September 2, 2009, to reflect the revised CR
6617 that was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on
September 1, 2009. The article contains a revised CR release date,
transmittal number, and Web address for accessing CR 6617. The article also
now shows an effective date of September 1, 2009 for codes G9141 and G9142.
All other information remains the same.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VJK3F3251?opendocument


Screening Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) for Colorectal Cancer
This article is based on Change Request (CR) 6578 which instructs that the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has determined that current
evidence is inadequate to conclude that Computed Tomography Colonography
(CTC) is an appropriate colorectal cancer screening test under section
1861(pp)(1) of the Social Security Act (the Act). Therefore, effective May
12, 2009, CTC for colorectal cancer screening, also known as virtual
colonoscopy, remains nationally non-covered by Medicare. Medicare
contractors will continue to process claims for CTC for colorectal cancer
screening without change.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VQL9T2144?opendocument


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