CMS & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
MM6578 – Screening Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) for Colorectal Cancer
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6578.pdf

MM6619 – 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)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6619.pdf

MM6595 – Implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Version 5010 Only in Jurisdiction 10 and Jurisdiction 14 Parts A and B (A/B) Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6595.pdf

SE0924 – Announcing the Release of the Revised CMS-855 Medicare Enrollment Applications
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0924.pdf


Enhancements/Updates to NPPES effective on/after September 13, 2009
On September 13, 2009, the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) will undergo system maintenance. As such, neither NPPES nor the National Provider Identifier (NPI) Registry will be available on September 13, 2009.

The following security enhancements will be incorporated into NPPES:
· NPPES web users will be required to select five secret questions and answers. Upon implementation of this enhancement and upon successful login, NPPES web users will be prompted to select five secret questions and provide answers to those questions. These five secret questions and answers will be saved and used for verification in order to allow NPPES web users to reset their own passwords.
· NPPES web users will be prevented from changing their passwords more than once within 24 hours from the last password update. Upon implementation of this enhancement, NPPES web users will be required to wait 24 hours before attempting to change their passwords once they have already successfully reset their passwords.
Electronic File Interchange (EFI)
In addition, the EFI User Manual and Technical Companion Guide have been revised. The upcoming changes will not impact the EFI XML Schema.

Additional Information

Health care providers can apply for an NPI online at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov . Health care providers needing assistance with applying for an NPI or updating their data in NPPES records may contact the NPI Enumerator at 1-800-465-3203 or email the request to the NPI Enumerator at CustomerService@NPIEnumerator.com.

Not sure if you have already obtained an NPI or cannot remember your NPI, you can visit the NPI Registry at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/NPIRegistryHome.do to search for the information. The NPI Registry enables you to search for a provider’s NPPES information, which includes the NPI. All information displayed in the NPI Registry is done so in accordance with the NPPES Data Dissemination Notice. Information in the NPI Registry is updated daily. You may run simple queries to retrieve this read-only data. For example, users may search for a provider by the NPI or Legal Name/Legal Business Name. There is no charge to use the NPI Registry.

Visit CMS' dedicated NPI web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand for additional NPI education and information.


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
The J1 Medicare educational symposia and networking
program has been fully planned and will take place in beautiful Las Vegas, NV
on October 28-30. We have two full days packed with multiple breakout sessions
conducted by subject matter experts with full expertise and knowledge in each
of their respective areas. Attendees will also have an opportunity to hear
directly from other Medicare Partner organizations such as the PSCs; QIOs and
the RAC. Each will be on hand and conducting educational sessions.
Visit http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20B~Registration%20is%20Open%20for%20J1%20MACtoberfest%20October%2029-30?open&cat=events for more information and to register.


ACT Minutes: Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) - August 25, 2009
(PDF, 58 KB)
The meeting minutes of the J1 Part B Ask the Contractor Teleconference
(ACT): CERT on August 25, 2009, are now available on our Web site.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VSPY78724?opendocument


California Contractor Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
The minutes for the California Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting
on July 22, 2009, are now available on our Web site.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7SWQGW2011?opendocument


CPT Code 93228 - Provider Types/Specialities
Due to an incorrect system update to CPT code 93228, a processing error
occurred with claims in Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and Northern
Marianna Islands. The error excluded this procedure code from being payable
to several provider types that would normally be permitted to bill the
service. Claims have been denied in error since April 15, 2009. A mass
adjustment will be performed once the system is updated.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VRP3S1071?opendocument


CPT Code 95920 - Provider Types/Specialties
Due to an incorrect system update to CPT code 95920, previously allowed
provider types and specialties might have been denied. This error affected
claims processed July 1, 2009, through August 19, 2009. A mass adjustment
has been requested to reprocess affected claims.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VRPBZ8335?opendocument


September 15, 2009: POE-AG Agenda
The agenda of the J1 Part B Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group
meeting on September 15, 2009, is now available on our Web site.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7VSMNN5150?opendocument


The ANCO Online ListServ has moved and is now sent directly from the ANCO office computer. Please contact ListServ@anco-online.org if you wish to update or unsubscribe your e-mail address. Thanks!