Updates from the Medicare Learning Network
§ “Medicare Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation” MLN Matters Article Released § “Contractor Entities At A Glance” MLN Matters Article Released § “Contractor Entities At A Glance” Educational Tool Released § “Medicare Ambulance Services” Publication Released § “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage Part A and Part B” Publication Revised § “Overview of Medicare Policy Regarding Chiropractic Services” MLN Matters Article Revised § “Preventive Immunizations” Brochure Revised § “Diabetes-Related Services” Fact Sheet Revised “Medicare Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation” MLN Matters Article Released MLN Matters(r) Special Edition Article #SE1110 titled, “Medicare Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation (esMD),” which provides information about Medicare’s Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation pilot project, is available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1110.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1110.pdf>. The esMD project is designed to reduce provider costs and cycle time by minimizing and eventually eliminating paper processing and mailing of medical documentation to review contractors. “Contractor Entities at a Glance” MLN Matters Article Released [↑] MLN Matters(r) Special Edition Article #SE1123 titled, “Contractor Entities at a Glance: Who May Contact You About Specific CMS Activities,” which describes the current Medicare contracting environment and lists the entities responsible for CMS activities, is available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1123.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1123.pdf>. This article also explains why certain entities may contact providers and announces the availability of a new Medicare Learning Network(r) publication titled “Entities At A Glance: Who May Contact You About Specific CMS Activities.” “Contractor Entities At A Glance” Educational Tool Released [↑] The Medicare Learning Network(r) (MLN) has released a new product titled “Contractor Entities At A Glance: Who May Contact You About Specific CMS Activities“to provide education about the definitions and responsibilities of entities involved in various claims adjudication activities. This educational tool, which is available in downloadable format at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ContractorEntityGuide_ICN906983.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ContractorEntityGuide_ICN906983.pdf>, includes a chart that outlines each entity by type, definitions, responsibilities, and reasons for contacting providers. This product will be available in hard copy format from the MLN(r) at a later date. “Medicare Ambulance Services” Publication Released [↑] The “Medicare Ambulance Services” booklet, which is designed to provide education on Medicare ambulance services, is now available in print format from the Medicare Learning Network. It includes information about the ambulance service benefit, ambulance transports, ground and air ambulance providers and suppliers, ground and air ambulance vehicles and personnel requirements, covered destinations, ambulance transport coverage requirements, and ambulance services payments. To place your order, visit http://www.CMS.gov/MLNGenInfo<http://www.cms.gov/MLNGenInfo>, scroll to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.” “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) Part A and Part B” Publication Revised [↑] The revised “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) Part A and Part B<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ABN_Booklet_ICN006266.pdf>” (#006266), booklet is now available from the Medicare Learning Network. This booklet is designed to provide education on the ABN. It includes information on when an ABN should be used and how it should be completed. “Overview of Medicare Policy Regarding Chiropractic Services” MLN Matters Article Revised [↑] MLN Matters(r) Special Edition Article #SE1101 titled, “Overview of Medicare Policy Regarding Chiropractic Services,” which is intended to help affected providers comply with Medicare coverage, coding, and documentation requirements related to chiropractic services, was revised to provide additional clarification. No changes in policy are reflected by these revisions. The revised article is available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1101.pdf<http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1101.pdf>. “Preventive Immunizations” Brochure Revised [↑] The revised “Preventive Immunizations<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Adult_Immunization.pdf>” (#006435), brochure is now available from the Medicare Learning Network. This brochure is designed to provide education on Medicare's Influenza Vaccine, Pneumococcal Vaccine, and Hepatitis B Vaccine benefits. “Diabetes-Related Services” Fact Sheet Revised [↑] The revised “Diabetes-Related Services<https://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/DiabetesSvcs.pdf>” (#006840), fact sheet is now available from the Medicare Learning Network. This fact sheet is designed to provide education on diabetes-related services. It includes information on diabetes screening tests, diabetes self-management training, medical nutrition therapy, and covered supplies and other services for beneficiaries with diabetes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vaccinate Early to Protect Against the Flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Remind your patients that annual vaccination is recommended for optimal protection. Medicare pays for the flu vaccine and its administration for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries with no co-pay or deductible. Take advantage of each office visit and start protecting your patients as soon as your 2011-2012 seasonal flu vaccine arrives. And, don’t forget to immunize yourself and your staff. Get the Flu Vaccination -- 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 http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser. If you know someone who would like to subscribe to a Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) provider listserv, go to (http://www.cms.gov/prospmedicarefeesvcpmtgen/downloads/Provider_Listservs.pdf). If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific provider listserv, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?INDEX) 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.gov/ContactCMS). Thank you.
