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Basic Introduction to ICD-10-CM National Provider Conference Call Reference: CMS List-Serv Message 030810 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. Registration information and discussion materials for this conference call can be accessed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD10/07_CMS_Sponsored_Calls.asp. Published Online: Monday, March 08, 2010

Upcoming Part B Non-Physician Practitioner Webinar Pinnacle Medicare Services invites you to attend a Medicare Part B Non-Physician Practitioner Webinar for Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Physician Assistants. The primary focus of this webinar will assist these provider specialties with the Roles and Reimbursement Rules for billing their services. Pinnacle Medicare Services will also cover the "Incident to" policy and Split Share E/M Visits. The Provider Outreach and Education Department will also provide other important Medicare updates. We encourage all billing, medical, and compliance personnel from your office to attend. Published Online: Thursday, March 04, 2010

Unsolicited/Voluntary Refunds Reference: Trans. 50, CR #3274, Pub. 100-06, MLN: MM3274 Providers need to be aware that the acceptance of a voluntary refund as repayment for the claims specified in no way affects or limits the rights of the Federal Government, or any of its agencies or agents, to pursue any appropriate criminal, civil, or administrative remedies arising from or relating to these or any other claims. Published Online: Thursday, March 04, 2010

Do Not Forward Initiative – Reminder Reference: Publication 100-04, Chapter 22, Section 50.1 As part of the Do Not Forward (DNF) Initiative, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has instructed Medicare carriers and DMERCs to use "return service requested" envelopes for mailing all hardcopy remittance advices. This requirement applies to the provider Medicare checks and remittance advices. Published Online: Thursday, March 04, 2010

Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) For Physicians, Non-Physician Practitioners, and Solely-Owned Organizations Reference: CMS List-Serv Message 030410 To assist you in protecting, completing and submitting your Medicare enrollment application via Internet-based PECOS, we are providing the following enrollment reminders and tips. Published Online: Thursday, March 04, 2010

Reminder: Comment Period Closing on Proposed Rule for Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program/Meaningful Use Reference: CMS List-Serv Message 030410 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. Published Online: Thursday, March 04, 2010

The "Temporary Extension Act of 2010" Extends the Zero Percent Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Update and the Therapy Cap Exception Process Reference: CMS List-Serv Message 030310; JSM RO 6082-10168 On March 2, 2010, President Obama signed into law the "Temporary Extension Act of 2010." Among other things, this law extends through March 31, 2010, the zero percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that was in effect for claims with dates of service January 1, 2010, through February 28, 2010. Consequently, effective immediately, claims with dates of service March 1 and later which were being held by Medicare contractors will be released for processing and payment. Please keep in mind that the statutory payment floors still apply and, therefore, clean electronic claims cannot be paid before 14 calendar days after the date they are received by Medicare contractors (29 calendar days for clean paper claims). In addition, the new law extends through March 31, 2010, the exception process for therapy claims reaching the annual cap, retroactive to January 1, 2010. Affected providers may submit claims for exceptions to the annual therapy caps, with dates of service January 1 through March 31, 2010, using the KX modifier, following the pre-January 1, 2010, requirements for therapy cap exceptions. Please watch your listserv and contractor’s website for more information about the new legislation. Published Online: Wednesday, March 03, 2010

The Therapy Cap Exception Process Extended Under the "Temporary Extension Act of 2010" Reference: CMS List-Serv Message 030310; JSM RO 6082-10168 The Temporary Extension Act of 2010, enacted on March 2, 2010, extends the therapy cap exceptions process through March 31, 2010, retroactive to January 1, 2010. Outpatient therapy service providers may now submit claims with the KX modifier, when an exception is appropriate, for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010. The therapy caps are determined on a calendar year basis, so all patients began a new cap on January 1, 2010. For physical therapy and speech language pathology services combined, the limit on incurred expenses is $1,860. For occupational therapy services, the limit is $1,860. Deductible and coinsurance amounts applied to therapy services count toward the amount accrued before a cap is reached. Published Online: Wednesday, March 03, 2010

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and March 5 is Dress in Blue Day! Reference: CMS List-Serv Message 030310 The Colon Cancer Alliance has designated Friday, March 5 as "Dress in Blue Day" to promote awareness about colorectal cancer and to encourage people to get screened. In addition to "Dress in Blue Day", the entire month of March has been designated as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds health care professionals that Medicare provides coverage for certain colorectal cancer screenings. Screening can help prevent and detect colorectal cancer in its earliest stages when outcomes are most favorable. Published Online: Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Proposed Rule for the Establishment of Certification Programs for Health Information Technology Reference: CMS List-Serv Message 030310 The following is a Message from Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology - Today the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) outlining the proposed approach for establishing a certification program to test and certify electronic health records (EHRs). The HITECH Act mandates the development of a certification program which will give purchasers and users of EHR technology assurances that the technology and products have the necessary functionality and security to help meet meaningful use criteria. While we are making significant strides toward modernizing our health care system, these efforts will only succeed if providers and patients are confident that their health information systems are safe and functional. Published Online: Wednesday, March 03, 2010

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