ACCC, CMA, & 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/2010/ACCConnect-7-28-2010.html. ANCO is an Institutional Member of ACCC. This edition features:

• ACCC Summary and Analysis of Proposed 2011 Medicare HOPPS Rule and Physician Fee Schedule

• Looking for Continuing Education Credits? Go to the ACCC Blackboard

• Podcast Available: Highlights of ACCC's 2010 Survey--Cancer Care Trends in Community Cancer Centers

• New Computer-based Tool Helps Survivors Move Forward After Cancer


****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:

• High school mentoring program helps turn medical career dreams into reality

• New aerosol transmissible disease standards take effect September 1

• Public health officials broaden recommendations for pertussis vaccination

• Bills implementing federal health reform move through state legislature

• CMA's POLST kit now available in Spanish

• CMS releases "meaningful use" requirements for EHRs

• Webinar: Meaningful use of EHRs


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
Due to an adverse reaction to Rituximab, an infusion scheduled for over one
hour was discontinued after 10 minutes. The physician conducted an
examination and returned the patient to the care of the nurse for an
additional hour of monitoring. Can we be reimbursed for the entire hour?
Since the intent was for an infusion, CPT code 9XXXX (chemotherapy
administration, intravenous infusion technique; up to 1 hour, single or
initial substance/drug) would be more appropriate than billing as a push.
Please note that documentation in the medical record of all time spent with
the patient is critical.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/87RQCJ2085?opendocument


Claim Status Category and Claim Status Code Update
This J1 A/B MAC MLN Matters article (CR7052) explains that the Claim Status
Codes and other items were updated during the June 2010 meeting of the
national Code Maintenance Committee and code changes approved at that
meeting were posted to the Web on or about July 1, 2010. Included in the
code lists are specific details, including the date when a code was added,
changed or deleted. Medicare Contractors will implement these changes on
October 4, 2010. Providers are encouraged to review the information and to
share with their staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/87SLHY4764?opendocument


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