CMA, CMS & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMA NEWS****
The California Medical Association's (CMA) Alert was published and is available online at http://www.calphys.org/html/news.asp. This edition features:

• Physicians: Are You Compliant with Recent HIPAA Changes?

• CMA Publishes Timely Access Guide for Physicians

• Court Upholds Governor's Furloughs of Medical Board Staff and Shifting of Agency's FUnds to Other State Programs

• Congress Stops SGR Cuts through March 31; CMA Fighting for Permanent Repeal

• Health Reform Update

• CMA's Council of Legislation Convenes to Set Legislative Priorities for 2010

• Reminder: Blue Cross Health Families Continuity of Care Plan Ends 3/31

• Tomorrow is Early Bird Deadline for CMA's 13th Annual Health Care Leadership Academy

• Registration Now Open for CMA's Legislative Leadership Conference

• Patient Cough and Cold Kits Now Available from the CMA Foundation


****CMS NEWS****
As part of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act in 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive programs under Medicare and Medicaid. CMS prepared a proposed rule on the EHR incentive programs for public comment. This proposed rule includes the definition of meaningful use and other requirements to qualify for incentive payments. The comment period for this proposed rule closes on March 15, 2010. CMS welcomes your comments which may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. For additional information on the proposed rule, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Recovery/11_HealthIT.asp on the web. Here you will find fact sheets, presentation materials summarizing the proposed rule, and links to the proposed rule itself.


The Basic Introduction to ICD-10-CM National Provider Conference Call will be conducted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 from
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. This conference call will provide an overview of ICD-10-CM/PCS requirements and a basic introduction to ICD-10-CM. The following topics will be discussed:
· Requirement to report ICD-10-CM/PCS codes for services provided on or after October 1, 2013.
· ICD-9-CM codes will not be accepted after October 1, 2013 (there will not be a grace period).
· Benefits of ICD-10-CM.
· Key similarities and differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
· General structure and characteristics of ICD-10-CM.
· New features in ICD-10-CM.
· Setting the record straight about common ICD-10-CM myths and misperceptions.
· Impact of ICD-10-CM on medical record documentation.

Registration information and discussion materials for this conference call can be accessed at
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD10/07_CMS_Sponsored_Calls.asp .


The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Fact Sheet (March 2010) has been revised to include information about the two month zero percent (0%) update to the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) effective for dates of service January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010. This fact sheet, which also provides information about MPFS payment rates and the MPFS payment rates formula, is available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedcrePhysFeeSchedfctsht.pdf


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
Questions and Answers on Reporting Physician Consultation Services
This J1 Special Edition article (SE1010) alerts providers that effective
January 1, 2010, various CPT consultation codes are no longer recognized
for Medicare Part B payment. Effective for services furnished on or after
January 1, 2010, providers should report each E/M service, including visits
that could be described by CPT consultation codes, with an E/M code payable
under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) that represents where the
visit occurs and that identifies the complexity of the visit performed.
Providers are encouraged to review the information and to share with their
staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/837MM68711?opendocument


Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Authorization Agreement Processing
This article announces that Medicare contractors shall not process more
than one Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) request for a provider or
supplier within a three-month period, unless there is an unusual and
compelling reason to do so. Medicare contractors shall apply this policy
immediately for providers and suppliers who have submitted more than one
EFT change request within the preceding three months. Please be sure to
share with your staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/839NHG2671?opendocument


Basic Introduction to ICD-10-CM National Provider Conference Call
CMS will conduct the 'Basic Introduction to ICD-10-CM National Provider
Conference Call' on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT.
This conference call will provide an overview of ICD-10-CM/PCS requirements
and a basic introduction to ICD-10-CM.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/83DNM36051?opendocument


Open Draft LCD Meetings April 2010
Palmetto GBA J1 A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) has scheduled
Open Draft Local Coverage Determination (LCD) meetings in California,
Nevada and Hawaii for April 2010. The general public is invited to submit
information related to the proposed LCDs for Palmetto GBA's consideration.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7YDPHY0633?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!