Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.

****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
Medicare Remit Easy Print (MREP) Enhancement
This J1 A/B MAC MLN Matters article (CR7178) announces the following list
of enhancements to the Medicare Remit Easy Print (MREP): 1) The MREP Demo
function has been updated to reflect current functionalities; and 2) A
report can be run now for Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Claims to
distinguish the Medicare secondary payments from the primary payments.
Providers using the MREP software need to obtain the new version in January
and install it to begin benefiting from these enhancements. Providers are
encouraged to review the information and to share it with their staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8AZKQ52465?opendocument


The Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Fact Sheet (PDF, 321 KB)
The updated CERT Fact Sheet is now available on the J1 Web sites. Review
these facts before you submit to reduce claim submission errors and more.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~7S7RXH5804?opendocument


J1 PCC to Close on November 11 for Veteran's Day
The J1 PCC will be closed on Thursday, November 11, 2010, in observance of
Veteran’s Day. The call center will reopen on Friday, November 12, 2010, at
7 a.m. PT. Please be sure to share with your staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/8AWQNX5670?opendocument


Denials: Top Reasons and Procedures
Find denial reasons in plain language and tips for resolving them in the
Palmetto GBA Denial Resolution tool. Top denial reasons include services
for hospice patients; bundled services; Medicare is the secondary payer;
and bundled payment for pre- and post-operative visits.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~7RHRDT1707?opendocument


Medicare Improves Access to Preventive Services for 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule with
comment period that will implement key provisions in the Affordable Care
Act of 2010. These provisions expand preventive services for Medicare
beneficiaries, improve payments for primary care services and promote
access to health care services in rural areas. The new policies will apply
to payments under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for services
furnished on or after January 1, 2011.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8AWFU81003?opendocument


2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Incentive Payment Update
Incentive payments for the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
(PQRI) will begin this fall for eligible professionals who met the criteria
for successful reporting. Carriers and Medicare Administrative Contractors
(MACs) have begun processing and distributing 2009 PQRI incentive payments
on October 25, 2010. Distribution of 2009 PQRI incentive payments is
scheduled to be completed by November 12, 2010. These incentive payments
are paid as a lump sum to the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) under
which the professional’s claims were submitted.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8AWHFL0213?opendocument


American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Electronic Health Record
(EHR) Incentive Program: Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
Modifier for the EHR Incentive Program
This J1 Part B MLN Matters article (CR7035) announces that the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services has developed a new Electronic Health Record
Health Professional Shortage Area Modifier AZ, which will allow eligible
professionals to report claims rendered in a dental HPSA when the ZIP code
does not fully fall within that dental HPSA. Providers are encouraged to
review the information and to share with their staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8B2NKZ4542?opendocument


Palmetto GBA 1099/B Notice Request Form
The Palmetto GBA 1099/B Notice Request Form is now available online. Please
review and complete the form before submission.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8B2Q328780?opendocument


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/vMasterDID/8B2SH65375?opendocument


Specialty Code for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services
This J1 A/B MAC MLN Matters article (CR7175a) was revised on November 4,
2010, to remove unnecessary language that had inadvertently referred to the
specialty code as a ‘DMEPOS’ code. All other information is the same. This
article announces that, effective April 1, 2011, the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) will establish a new specialty code (specialty code
95) for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging (ADI) Accreditation. Providers are
encouraged to review the information and to share with their staff.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/ls/J1B~8AVQJ41352?opendocument


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