Wednesday, May 20, 2009

CMS & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
MM6480 – July 2009 Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (I/OCE) Specifications Version 10.2
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6480.pdf

MM6481 – Changes to the Laboratory National Coverage Determination (NCD) Edit Software for July 2009
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6481.pdf

Revised:
SE0832 – The ICD-10 Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (CM/PCS)—The Next Generation of Coding
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0832.pdf


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic
Prescribing Incentive Program (E-Prescribing) National Provider Call
PowerPoint Presentation is Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce
that the PowerPoint presentation that will be used during the May 20, 2009,
PQRI and E-Prescribing National Provider call is available on the CMS Web
site.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7S7QSH6057?opendocument


June 4, 2009: POE-AG Agenda
The agenda for the Palmetto GBA J1 Provider Outreach and Education Advisory
Group meeting on June 4, 2009, is now available at our Web site.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7S3SZT6621?opendocument


Palmetto GBA J1 A/B MAC Contract Provider To Be closed Monday, May 25,
2009, For Memorial Day
Palmetto GBA's offices and the Provider Contact Centers (PCCs) will be
closed Monday, May 25, 2009, in observance of Memorial Day.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7S7KDU2146?opendocument


Weekly J1 Part B Ask the Contractor Teleconference (ACT) Calls Reinstated
Starting May 21
Palmetto GBA will reinstate the weekly J1 Part B Ask the Contractor
Teleconference (ACT) calls every Thursday starting May 21 through July 2009
to address the latest concerns within the provider community.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7S3T650154?opendocument

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

CMS News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
Background materials for the May 20, 2009 Special Open Door Forum: Outpatient Imaging Efficiency Measures are available for review at http://www.QualityNet.org and http://www.ImagingMeasures.com.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum:
Outpatient Imaging Efficiency Measures
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
2:00PM – 4:00PM Eastern Time (ET)
Conference Call Only

Featuring:
John Cooper, M.D. (CMS),
Mark Zezza, Ph.D. (The Lewin Group),
Thomas G. Dehn, M.D., FACR (National Imaging Associates, Inc.),
Joan DaVanzo, Ph.D. (Dobson | DaVanzo & Associates, LLC).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a Special Open Door Forum (ODF) to discuss the development and implementation of facility-level hospital Outpatient Imaging Efficiency measures. The CMS has contracted with The Lewin Group, to develop a set of imaging efficiency measures. National Imaging Associates, and Dobson & DaVanzo are subcontracted by Lewin to support this effort.

During this Special ODF, CMS staff will discuss:

· Each of the four outpatient imaging efficiency measures currently required under the Hospital Outpatient Quality Data Reporting Program
(HOP QDRP) for CY2010 payment determination;
· Highlight some frequently asked questions;
· New Outpatient Imaging Efficiency measures under development.

Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.

To make the call as informative as possible, we recommend that participants:
· Visit the QualityNet (http://www.QualityNet.org) and Choose “Imaging Efficiency Measures” under “Hospital – Outpatient” and also http://www.ImagingMeasures.com ;
· Pre-submit any questions you wish to have addressed on the call to Imaging.Measures@lewin.com. Please type “Question for National Open Door Forum” in your Subject line. The most frequently asked questions received by 5 pm ET on Thursday, May 14, 2009, will be addressed on the call. Submitted questions not selected for the call will be answered individually via e-mail reply.

We look forward to your participation.

Special Open Door Forum Participation Instructions:

Dial: 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 94281978

Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired.

For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will A Relay Communications Assistant will help.

An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning May 29, 2009.

For automatic emails of Open Door Forum schedule updates (E-Mailing list subscriptions) and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/ .

Thank you for your interest in CMS Open Door Forums.


2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (E-Prescribing) National Provider Call PowerPoint Presentation is now available

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that the PowerPoint presentation that will be used during the May 20th, 2009 PQRI and E-Prescribing National Provider call is now available on the CMS website.

This presentation provides an update on the Quality Data Code (QDC) Error Report; tips for satisfactorily reporting a Measures Group in the 2009 PQRI; and frequently asked questions on E-Prescribing.

To access the presentation, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/04_CMSSponsoredCalls.asp., scroll down to the Downloads section and select the “National Provider Call - May 20, 2009” link.

ACCC & CMS News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****ACCC NEWS****
The Association of Community Cancer Center's (ACCC) This Week At ACCC was published and is available online at http://www.accc-cancer.org/mediaroom/newsletters/2009/media_ACCCNEWSLETTER_5-18-2009.html. ANCO is an Institutional Member of ACCC. This edition features:

Many Disagree with Medicare's "No" Decision for Virtual Colonoscopy

ACCC Public Policy Update: Two CMS May 20 Teleconferences

Health Plan Paperwork/Interactions Taking Much Physician and Nurse Time

New FTC "Red Flags" Rule on Identity Theft Applies to Many Providers

Q&A on ACCC's Listserve: Use of Nurse Practitioners

Houston, We Have a Free Meeting June 10

A Compelling Value This September in Minneapolis: Updated Agenda

US Oncology Launches Audio Reimbursement Education for Practices


****CMS NEWS****
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum:
Medicare Imaging Demonstration Project
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
9:30 am – 11:30 am ET

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is holding a Special Open Door Forum (ODF) in order to solicit stakeholder input for the design and development of the Appropriate Use of Imaging Services Demonstration. This Special ODF will be a “listening session” in which CMS hopes to gather information from stakeholders about issues that will affect Demonstration design and implementation.

This demonstration was authorized by Section 135(b) of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) for the purpose of collecting data regarding physician use of advanced diagnostic imaging services. For purposes of this demonstration, advanced diagnostic imaging services are defined as diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and nuclear medicine (including positron emission tomography).

CMS is interested in holding this Special ODF to gather input related to the design and implementation of this provision. CMS will not be able to respond to comments at this Forum but intends to consider the information we obtain as input develop this demonstration.

CMS is especially interested in information and feedback in the following topic areas:
1. Demonstration Framework:
a. Given that prior authorization is excluded from the demonstration by legislative mandate, how can we best design the demonstration to test both point of order (POO) and point of service (POS) systems?

b. How could CMS assess the impact of POO and POS systems through randomized designs or other comparative models?

c. What will motivate physician participation in the demonstration? How should physicians be recruited? What is the role of economic and non-economic incentives in encouraging participation?

2. Point of Order (POO) and Point of Service Systems (POS):
a. What are the major characteristics of POO and POS? How are they similar and how are they different in their assessments of appropriateness? How are these systems currently used by providers and payers?

b. What data are captured by the systems and what is the comparability in data elements across systems? Are there distinctions in how appropriateness of individual procedures is assessed between these two systems?

c. Does use of POO versus POS systems vary systematically by type of service, service setting, type of physician, and/or geography? How common is the use of these systems by specialists, primary care physicians and performing physicians?

d. How do ordering and performing physicians interface with the POO or POS systems? Do individual physicians or group practices use of more than one system?

3. Imaging Procedures:
a. Specific procedures being considered for inclusion in the demonstration are likely to be high in volume, high in growth, exhibit geographic variation, and have consensus around clinical guidelines. Are there other criteria we should consider when selecting procedures for inclusion in the demonstration?

b. What procedures that have the characteristics described above have been incorporated into POO and POS?

c. Should the demonstration focus on applying a decision support system for only specific types of imaging procedure use (e.g., MRI for Lumbar Spine, rather than all MRIs)? Might a focus on only specific types of procedures cause confusion for physicians or increase burden on physicians?

For a more information, please see the demonstration website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DemoProjectsEvalRpts/MD/itemdetail.asp?filterType=none&filterByDID=-99&sortByDID=3&sortOrder=descending&itemID=CMS1222075&intNumPerPage=10

We ask that all interested parties who wish to present their positions or comments prepare to speak for no more than 2 minutes. Telephone participants will also be given an opportunity to speak and will be under the same time limitation.

CMS requests that interested parties prepare their comments or input in written form and submit this information toImagingDemo135b@cms.hhs.gov . We also request that you bring a hard copy of your written material for collection at the Special ODF.

We look forward to your participation.

There are two ways to participate, by phone or "in-person".

1. To participate by phone:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 90111467
Persons participating by phone are not required to RSVP.
Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.

2. To participate "in-person" at the CMS Baltimore Site, RSVP is required.
Please RSVP by 2pmET Thursday, May 21, 2009 to: SpecialODF@cms.hhs.gov . Please use “Medicare Imaging Demonstration” in the subject line, send your name along with the name of your organization, your contact information, and indicate whether or not you plan to speak.

Please plan to arrive no later than 9:00 AM to account for time required to pass through security. Visitors are subject to a vehicle search and an examination of all parcels (including purses) brought into the complex. Visitors all must have a valid Government-issued photo identification card or badge.

ADDRESS:
CMS Single Site Building
Auditorium
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244

An audio recording and transcript of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning June 8, 2009.

For automatic emails of Open Door Forum schedule updates, E-Mailing list subscriptions and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/ .

Thank you for your interest in CMS Open Door Forums.

Monday, May 18, 2009

CMA & 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:

New Medicare Enrollment Rules Could Have Costly Consequences for Physicians

Are You Looking for Your IMQ CME Certification Form?

CMA Launches Language Access Project with Physician Survey

Governor Proposes Major Cuts to Health Care

CMA Supports Senate Move to Expand Health Care Coverage,

Says Access to Care Must Be Protected

CMA Bill Would Bring Fairness and Transparency to Peer Review System

Webinar: How the Stimulus Bill Impacts Your HIPAA Obligations


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
Palmetto GBA has updated the J1 Part B Fee Schedules introduction page to
better serve our Web users.

Palmetto GBA J1 Part B Web Updates Notice
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7S3J2U7382?opendocument

Friday, May 15, 2009

CMS & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national education conference call to address the implementation of HIPAA Version 5010. This call is being conducted for all Medicare fee-for-service providers. The call will give a general overview of the transition to HIPAA Version 5010 and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the new version is implemented. A presentation will be given and CMS Subject Matter Experts will be available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS 5010 Web page prior to the call. The 5010 Web page is located at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ElectronicBillingEDITrans/18_5010D0.asp

Conference call details:

Date: June 9, 2009

Conference Title:

CMS audio conference call: HIPAA Version 5010 – What you need to know!

Time: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET

In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available below.

Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on June 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.

To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/060909

Fill in all required data.

Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.

Click "Register".

You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
This J1 Part B alert informs providers that some Colorectal Cancer
Screening procedure codes were being suspended for manual coverage review
in error. Therefore, an express adjustment or mass adjustment will be
performed on the claims being denied incorrectly.

Colorectal Cancer Screenings
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7RZQG87431?opendocument


Share this with your staff - This J1 Part B alert informs providers that
Palmetto will begin rejecting claims with dates of service on and after
July 1, 2009, if submitted without an invoice. For a limited time only,
Palmetto GBA will send providers development letters asking for invoices
for claims submitted without one.

Development Letter: Invoice for Radiopharmaceuticals
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7RZQXC2863?opendocument


The ICD-9-CM diagnosis code 0600 alert has been updated. ICD-9-CM diagnosis
code 0600 ‘Sylvatic’ was incorrectly end dated in our system. Palmetto GBA
has tried to perform a mass adjustment but was unsuccessful due to the
services being rejects rather than denials. Providers are asked to contact
the Palmetto GBA PCC at 1-866-931-3901 and ask for the claims to be
reprocessed.

ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 0600 Update
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7Q3JV82052?opendocument

Thursday, May 14, 2009

CMS & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****CMS NEWS****
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum:
2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) &
Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Programs
with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Orthopaedic Executives

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
3:30pm-5pm ET
Conference Call Only

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will co-host a Special Open Door Forum on the 2009 PQRI and E-Prescribing Incentive Programs with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Association of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE).

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) made the PQRI program permanent, but only authorized incentive payments through 2010. Eligible professionals who meet the criteria for satisfactory submission of quality measures data for services furnished during the reporting period, January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009, will earn an incentive payment of 2.0 percent of their total allowed charges for Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) covered professional services furnished during that same period. The 2009 PQRI consists of 153 quality measures and 7 measures groups.

Section 132 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) authorizes a new and separate incentive program for individual eligible professionals who are successful electronic prescribers (e-Prescribers) as defined by MIPPA. This new incentive is separate from and is in addition to the quality reporting incentive program authorized by Division B of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 - Medicare Improvements and Extension Act of 2006 (MIEA-TRHCA) and known as the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).

This Special Open Door Forum will be geared towards orthopaedic-specific topics related to participation in the PQRI and E-Prescribing Incentive Programs. Following the presentation, the telephone lines will be opened to allow participants to ask questions of the AAOS/AAOE presenters, including Robert H. Haralson, III, MD, MBA; Toya M. Sledd, MPH, MBA; Barbara Sack, MHSA, CMPE; as well as CMS PQRI subject matter expert, Sylvia Publ.

PQRI information and educational products are available on the PQRI dedicated web page located at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI , on the CMS website. E-Prescribing information and educational products are available on the E-Prescribing dedicated web page located at, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERXIncentive , on the CMS website.

We look forward to your participation.

Special Open Door Forum Participation Instructions:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 94236628

Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired.

For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will A Relay Communications Assistant will help.

An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning May 28, 2009.

For automatic emails of Open Door Forum schedule updates (E-Mailing list subscriptions) and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/ .


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
Limits on Billed Amounts: Instructions for Submitting Claims
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20B~Articles~General~Limits%20on%20Billed%20Amounts%20Instructions%20for%20Submitting%20Claims?opendocument

If the above link does not work in your e-mail program, please use the
temporary alternate link provided below.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/docsCat/EFB6A9D625B136F5852575B50044D97E?opendocument

This J1 Part B article provides instructions for submitting claims to Part
B claims processing system (the Multi-Carrier System or MCS) when the total
charge on a single claim exceeds $99,999.99.


Modification of the Working Common File (CWF) Copybook to Transmit "WC"
Qualifier Alpha Codes to Various Systems
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20A~MLN%20Matters%20Articles~All%20Part%20A%20MLNs~Modification%20of%20the%20Working%20Common%20File%20(CWF)%20Copybook%20to%20Transmit%20"WC"%20Qualifier%20Alpha%20Codes%20to%20Various%20Systems?opendocument

If the above link does not work in your e-mail program, please use the
temporary alternate link provided below.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/docsCat/8525746A00550AA3852575B500605A4D?opendocument

This MLN Matters article, change request 6438, allows from the transfer of
the WC modifier's alpha codes from the CWF system to other important
Medicare systems.


Provider Enrollment Application Finder Help Tool
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20B~Resources~Provider%20Enrollment~General~Provider%20Enrollment%20Application%20Finder%20Help%20Tool?opendocument

If the above link does not work in your e-mail program, please use the
temporary alternate link provided below.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/docsCat/46C6740D13ABD39C852575B50044D988?opendocument

Are you unsure which provider enrollment application you need to complete
to obtain a provider number? Confused about what documents you should send
with your application? The Provider Enrollment Application Finder Help Tool
provides answers to these questions and more. By completing a quick
questionnaire, you can find out which application to submit, which sections
to complete, and what other documentation must be submitted with the
application. Try it today!


Revised: Medicare Claims Processing Manual Clarifications for Skilled
Nursing Facility (SNF) and Therapy Billing
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20A~MLN%20Matters%20Articles~All%20Part%20A%20MLNs~Revised%20Medicare%20Claims%20Processing%20Manual%20Clarifications%20for%20Skilled%20Nursing%20Facility%20(SNF)%20and%20Therapy%20Billing?opendocument

If the above link does not work in your e-mail program, please use the
temporary alternate link provided below.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/docsCat/8525746A00550AA38525758B00535476?opendocument

The revised MLN article (CR6407), Medicare Claims Processing Manual
Clarifications for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Therapy Billing is
now available on our Web site.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

ASCO, CMS, & NCI News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****ASCO NEWS****
The American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) Practice Insider was published today and is available online at http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5515797c640d787c14&m=ff311d707460&ls=fde71372736202747417777c&l=fe5e1575706c067d7d10&s=fe1f15797d620479731d75&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe3616737465077f7c1573. ANCO is a state/regional affiliate of ASCO. This edition features:

1. "Red flags" rule compliance date pushed to Aug. 1

2. Medicare Updates Instructions on Billing Routine Costs of Clinical Trials (Part A and B)

3. Drug Shortage Updates

4. FDA Reverses Action to Pull Unapproved Liquid Morphine Off Market

5. CIGNA Modifier Policy

6. Kathleen Sebelius Confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services

7. Medicare Announces Sites for Pilot Program to Improve Quality as Patients Move Across Care Settings

8. Q&A with Sue Bowman of AHIMA: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis and ICD-10-CM PCS Transition

9. Billing and Coding Q&A


Best of ASCO® Los Angeles Deadlines Quickly Approaching!
Act by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 13, 2009 to receive discounted registration rates for the Best of ASCO Los Angeles meeting scheduled for June 19-20, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. The meeting will feature premier abstracts from the 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting, representing the most relevant, cutting-edge research in oncology today. Also, don’t forget to make your housing reservation for the meeting prior to the May 13, 2009housing deadline. Go to www.asco.org/boa to register and reserve housing today!


****CMS NEWS****
Providers may now register for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ICD-10-CM/PCS Implementation and General Equivalence Mappings (Crosswalks) National Provider Conference Call that will be conducted on May 19, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. This conference call will include a discussion of the following topics:

· An overview of the ICD-10 final rule, which requires the implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS on October 1, 2013;

· The differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS codes;

· The use of the General Equivalence Mappings that have been created to assist in converting
policies, edits, and trend data from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCS; and

· The resources that are available to assist in planning for the transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCS.

Note:
A new fact sheet has been developed that provides additional information about the ICD-10 General Equivalence Mappings, and the slide presentation that will be discussed during the conference call has been revised. These discussion materials have been posted in the Downloads Section at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD10/07a_2009_CMS_Sponsored_Calls.asp . If you are unable to access the hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser.


A new Medicare Secondary Payer Fact Sheet (April 2009), which provides a general overview of the MSP provisions for individuals involved in the admission and billing procedures at provider, physician, and other supplier settings is now available in downloadable format from the Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MSP_Fact_Sheet.pdf .


MM6438 – Modification of the Common Working File (CWF) Copybook to Transmit “WC” Qualifier Alpha Codes to Various Systems. (supplement to CR 5371)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6438.pdf


MM6358 – Processing and Payment of Physician and Non-Physician Practitioner Services Reassigned to Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6358.pdf


MM6395 – Section 148 of The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA)
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6395.pdf


SE0726 – Clarification about the Medical Privacy of Protected Health Information
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0726.pdf


MM6407 – Medicare Claims Processing Manual Clarifications for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) and Therapy Billing
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6407.pdf


****NCI NEWS****
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new NCI Publications Locator (NCIPL) site! NCIPL offers users the ability to view and order NCI publications online. Please check it out...

www.cancer.gov/publications

Over the past year, a team worked to completely redesign NCIPL to offer a much more user friendly experience and improved public interface. Usability and focus group testing was conducted as well. The result is a refreshed, secure system with greater ease of use, accessibility and advanced features.

Improvements to the site include:

- A look and feel similar to cancer.gov
- A homepage that offers additional browsing options
- Links to Announcements, Featured Publications and New and Updated Publications
- Improved search capabilities to locate, select and order materials
- More publication information to include last reviewed date, publication format and page count
- An expanded Publications Details page that includes Audience, Language, Physical Description and Related Products
- Thumbnail images for most publications
- Advanced order capabilities to include a shopping cart and order progress bar
- A Self-Printing options page offering various ways to print the publications