Do you ever wonder about how to utilize search tools in selected areas of the CMS website? The searchable Medicare Coverage Database (MCD) contains all Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCDs), National Coverage Analyses (NCAs), Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), and local policy articles. The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) has produced a "How To" booklet (2.5 MB), that provides an explanation of the MCD, as well as how to use the Search, Indexes, Reports and Downloads features. The How to Use the Medicare Coverage Database <http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/MPUB/itemdetail.asp?filterType=dual, %20keyword&filterValue=Coverage&filterByDID=0&sortByDID=1&sortOrder=asce nding&itemID=CMS1230831&intNumPerPage=10> booklet (November 2009) can be located at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/MPUB/list.asp on the MLN Publications page. Use search key words "how to" to locate this publication quickly. Understanding the search tool is the best way to find the information for which you are looking!
________________________________________________________________________ _____________ Flu Season is Here! Annual outbreaks of the seasonal flu usually occur from late fall to early spring. Typically, 5 to 20 percent of Americans get the seasonal flu, resulting in approximately 36,000 flu-related deaths.[1] If you have Medicare patients who haven't yet received their flu shot, you can help them reduce their risk of contracting the seasonal flu by recommending an annual seasonal influenza vaccination. Medicare provides coverage of the seasonal flu vaccine and its administration. And don't forget to immunize yourself and your staff. Protect yourself, your staff, your patients, and your family and friends. Remember - Influenza vaccine plus its administration are covered Part B benefits. Note that influenza vaccine is NOT a Part D covered drug. For information about Medicare's coverage of the seasonal influenza virus vaccine and its administration as well as related educational resources for health care professionals and their staff, please go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/Downloads/flu_products.pdf on the CMS website. You will find a variety of resources that explain Medicare coverage and claims submission policies related to the seasonal influenza vaccine. For information on Medicare policies related to H1N1 influenza, please go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/H1N1 on the CMS website. -------------------------------------- [1] Flu.gov. 2009. About the Flu [online]. Washington DC: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited 30 November 2009]. Available from the World Wide Web: (http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.htm <http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.html> ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser. If you received this message as part of the All FFS Providers listserv, you are currently subscribed to one of eighteen Medicare Fee-For-Service provider listservs. If you would like to be removed from all NIH listservs, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/LISTSERV_WEB/signoff.htm <https://list.nih.gov/LISTSERV_WEB/signoff.htm> ) to unsubscribe. If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific provider listserv, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/show_list_archives <https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/show_list_archives> ) to unsubscribe or to leave the appropriate listserv. Please DO NOT respond to this email. This email is a service of CMS and routed through an electronic mail server to communicate Medicare policy and operational changes and/or updates. Responses to this email are not routed to CMS personnel. Inquiries may be sent by going to (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ContactCMS <http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ContactCMS> ). Thank you. ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ [1] Flu.gov. 2009. About the Flu [online]. Washington DC: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited 30 November 2009]. Available from the World Wide Web: (http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.htm <http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.html> )
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