Updates from the Medicare Learning Network(r) § February 2011 “Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter” Released
§ “Medicare Drug Screen Testing” § “2011 Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program Update: Future Payment Adjustments § “Home Health Prospective Payment System” Factsheet Revised § “Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection” Revised >From the MLN: February 2011 “Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter” >Released [↑] JUST RELEASED! The Medicare Learning Network(r) (MLN) has released the February 2011 issue of the “Medicare Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter,” which is designed to provide education on how to avoid common billing errors and other erroneous activities when dealing with the Medicare Program. In this issue, a number of Recovery Audit findings that affect inpatient hospitals, physicians, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers are presented. This publication is issued on a quarterly basis and highlights the top issues of that particular quarter, as identified through a variety of sources. The current issue may be downloaded at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedQtrlyComp_Newsletter_ICN905712.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedQtrlyComp_Newsletter_ICN905712.pdf>. An archive and searchable index of previously-issued newsletters are also now available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedQtrlyCompNL_Archive.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedQtrlyCompNL_Archive.pdf>. >From the MLN: “Medicare Drug Screen Testing” [↑] MLN Matters(r) Special Edition Article #SE1105 - titled “Medicare Drug Screen Testing” - which describes how clinical diagnostic laboratories should bill for certain types of tests covered under Medicare, is now available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1105.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1105.pdf>. This article is based on the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) and specifically addresses the billing of two CLFS Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) test codes - G0431 and G0434. >From the MLN: “2011 Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program Update: Future >Payment Adjustments” [↑] MLN Matters(r) Special Edition Article #SE1107 - titled “2011 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Update: Future Payment Adjustments” - which reminds eligible professionals who are not successful electronic prescribers that they may be subject to a payment adjustment, is now available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1107.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1107.pdf>. This article is based on recent updates to the Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program. >From the MLN: “Home Health Prospective Payment System” Factsheet Revised [↑] The “Home Health Prospective Payment System” factsheet (revised January 2011) is now available in downloadable format from the Medicare Learning Network(r) at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/HomeHlthProsPaymt.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/HomeHlthProsPaymt.pdf>. This factsheet is designed to provide education on the Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) including background information and consolidated billing requirements, coverage of HH services, elements of the HH PPS, and additional requirements. >From the MLN: “Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection” >Revised [↑] MLN Matters(r) Article #MM6786 - titled “Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection” - has been revised to change the three HIV screening G-code descriptors to align with the respective descriptors in the official code files. This article is based on Change Request #6786, which provides the clinical and billing requirements for HIV screening tests for both male and female Medicare beneficiaries. For more information, please read the article at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6786.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6786.pdf> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February Flu Shot Reminder It’s Not too Late to Give and Get the Flu Vaccine. Take advantage of each office visit and continue to protect your patients against the seasonal flu. Medicare will continue to pay for the seasonal flu vaccine and its administration for all Medicare beneficiaries through the entire flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that patients, health care workers and caregivers be vaccinated against the seasonal flu. Protect your patients. Protect your family. Protect yourself. Get Your Flu Vaccine - Not the Flu. 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 influenza vaccine and its administration, as well as related educational resources for health care professionals and their staff, please visit the following CMS websites: http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/Downloads/Flu_Products.pdf and http://www.cms.gov/AdultImmunizations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser. 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). Thank you. 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