CMS & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
More than 85,000 physicians and other eligible professionals who successfully reported quality-related data to Medicare under the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) received incentive payments totaling more than $92 million, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today, well above the $36 million paid in 2007.

The number of eligible professionals who earned an incentive payment increased by one-third from 2007, when 56,700 eligible professionals earned an incentive payment. In 2007, eligible professionals could only participate in the program during a 6-month reporting period. In 2008, the program expanded to allow reporting for either a 6-month or a 12-month period.

“We are very pleased with the results for 2008,” said Charlene Frizerra, Acting CMS Administrator. “More health professionals have successfully reported data, and the substantial growth in the national total for PQRI incentive payments demonstrates that Medicare can align payment with quality incentives.


To read the entire CMS Press release issued today (11/13) click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp

To read the entire CMS Fact Sheet issued today (11/13) click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/fact_sheets.asp

CMS recently announced its plan for the 2010 PQRI Program as part of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. A fact sheet on the 2010 PQRI Program is available online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/factsheet.asp?Counter=3541&intNumPerPage=10&checkDate=&checkKey=&srchType=1&numDays=3500&srchOpt=0&srchData=&keywordType=All&chkNewsType=6&intPage=&showAll=&pYear=&year=&desc=&cboOrder=date.


More information about the PQRI program, including participation guidance and the criteria to qualify for an incentive payment is available at www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
Radiopharmaceutical Drugs that Require An Invoice for Pricing
The list of HCPCS codes for radiopharmaceutical drugs that require an
invoice for pricing has been updated. An invoice is required with each
claim in order for the service to be priced for radiopharmaceuticals that
Palmetto GBA does not have pricing available for.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7RAQMD6147?opendocument


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