ASH & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****ASH NEWS****
The American Society of Hematology's (ASH) Practice Update was published and is available online at http://www.hematology.org/Practice/Practice-Updates/5997.aspx. This edition features:

• Senate Passes Legislation to Avert Medicare Payment Cuts; Urge Your Representative to Support Stopping the Scheduled 23% Medicare Physician Payment Cut

• Final 2011 Physician Fee Schedule Rule Includes Significant Cuts

• ASH Annual Meeting: Policy & Practice Events You Will Want to Attend


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
December 2010 J1 A/B MAC Medicare Advisory
The December 2010 J1 A/B MAC Medicare Advisory is now available on the J1
Web site. Providers are encouraged to review the information and to share
with their staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8BGKUY1013?opendocument&utm_source=J1BL&utm_campaign=J1BLs


J1 PCC to Close for Training
The J1 Provider Contact Center (PCC) will be closed for training on Friday,
December 3, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT. The PCC will reopen on
Friday, December 3, 2010, at 3 p.m. PT. Please share with your staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8BFVR90761?opendocument&utm_source=J1BL&utm_campaign=J1BLs


Online Provider Services (OPS) Claims Status Enhancements
Palmetto GBA has enhanced the claims status feature of Online Provider
Services (OPS). OPS now displays the processed date and check number, if
applicable, when returning claims status for a beneficiary. OPS is our
secure Web portal that allows providers to access information regarding
claim status, beneficiary eligibility, amount approved-to-pay, and to view
duplicate remittance notices. All providers that have an EDI Enrollment
Agreement on file may register to use this tool. If you haven’t already
registered, please consider doing so. Access the introductory article to
learn more: click on the “Introducing Online Provider Services” graphic on
the top of any of our main state Web pages. One important consideration:
only one Provider Administrator per EDI Enrollment Agreement/per PTAN
performs the registration process. The Provider Administrator can then
grant permission to additional users related to that PTAN. Billing services
and clearinghouses should contact their provider clients to gain access to
the system.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8BGSRZ1171?opendocument&utm_source=J1BL&utm_campaign=J1BLs


J1 Part B LCDs Revised
Multiple J1 Part B LCDs have been revised. To view these LCDs, go to the
'LCDs and NCDs' Web page under the Medical Policies section of the J1 Part
B Web site. Please be sure to share with your staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8BFVB65821?opendocument&utm_source=J1BL&utm_campaign=J1BLs


Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) on the Technical Component (TC)
of Certain Diagnostic Imaging Procedures
This J1 A/B MAC MLN Matters article (CR 6993) announces that Medicare is
changing the multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) on the technical
component (TC) of certain diagnostic imaging procedures. You should make
sure that your billing staffs are aware of these changes.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8BGLDH4824?opendocument&utm_source=J1BL&utm_campaign=J1BLs


Thirteenth National Education Call on Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS)
Implementation of HIPAA Version 5010 and D.0 Transactions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host its 13th
national education call regarding Medicare FFS implementation of HIPAA
Version 5010 and D.0 transaction standards on December 8, 2010. This
session will focus on provider outreach and education activities and
transition specific testing protocols. Subject matter experts will review
Medicare FFS communications, outreach and education strategy, as well as
provide information to help the audience through the transition to
implementation. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8BHMS75816?opendocument&utm_source=J1BL&utm_campaign=J1BLs


Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) for Selected Therapy Services
This J1 A/B MLN Matters article (CR7050) announces that Medicare is
applying a new multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) to the practice
expense (PE) component of payment of select therapy services paid under the
MPFS. Providers are encouraged to review the information and to share with
their staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8BGSDE5876?opendocument&utm_source=J1BL&utm_campaign=J1BLs


Online Provider Services (OPS) Claims Status Enhancements
Palmetto GBA has enhanced the claims status feature of Online Provider
Services (OPS). OPS now displays the processed date and check number, if
applicable, when returning claims status for a beneficiary. OPS is our
secure Web portal that allows providers to access information regarding
claim status, beneficiary eligibility, amount approved-to-pay and to view
duplicate remittance notices. All providers that have an EDI Enrollment
Agreement on file may register to use this tool. If you haven’t already
registered, please consider doing so. Access the introductory article to
learn more by selecting the 'Introducing Online Provider Services' graphic
on the top of any of our main contract home pages. Please Note: Only one
Provider Administrator per EDI Enrollment Agreement/per PTAN performs the
registration process. The Provider Administrator can then grant permission
to additional users related to that PTAN. Billing services and
clearinghouses should contact their provider clients to gain access to the
system.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/8BGSRZ1171?opendocument


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