>From the MLN: "Expanded Benefits" Brochure Available - The Medicare Learning >Network would like to remind you that the publication "Expanded Benefits" is >available in downloadable format at >http://www.CMS.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Expanded_Benefits.pdf. This brochure >is designed to provide education on three preventive services: the Initial >Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE), also known as the "Welcome to >Medicare" Physical Exam or the "Welcome to Medicare" visit; Ultrasound >Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms; and Cardiovascular Screening Blood >Tests.
>From the MLN: "Implementation of Pay.gov Application Fee Collection Process >through PECOS" MLN Matters Article Released - MLN Matters Special Edition Article #SE1130 - titled "Implementation of Pay.gov Application Fee Collection Process through PECOS" - which announces a change to the Pay.gov website address that providers and suppliers use to make Medicare application fee payments electronically, is now available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1130.pdf. The changes outlined in the article have no effect on the Pay.gov payment collection process; CMS is simply revising the way providers access Pay.gov to improve the efficiency of the application fee payment, collection, and accounting process. >From the MLN: "Important Update Regarding 5010/D.0 Implementation - Action >Needed Now" MLN Matters Article Released - MLN Matters Special Edition Article #SE1131 - titled "Important Update Regarding 5010/D.0 Implementation - Action Needed Now" - which reminds affected providers about the actions they must take now to prepare for HIPAA 5010/D.0 implementation, is now available at http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1131.pdf. The implementation requires changes to the software, systems, and procedures that providers use for billing Medicare and other payers. Providers and their billing and software vendors must be prepared to begin processing HIPAA Versions 5010 & D.0 production transactions by Saturday, December 31, 2011. >From the MLN: "Prohibition on Balance Billing Qualified Medicare >Beneficiaries" MLN Matters Article Released - MLN Matters® Special Edition >Article #SE1128, titled "Prohibition on Balance Billing Qualified Medicare >Beneficiaries (QMBs)," which reminds affected providers about their >responsibilities to QMBs, is now available at >http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1128.pdf. This article does >not provide any new policy and is designed to help providers avoid >inappropriately billing QMBs for Medicare cost-sharing, including deductible, >coinsurance, and copayments. >From the MLN: "Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System" >Fact Sheet Revised - The revised "Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility >Prospective Payment >System<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/InpatRehabPaymtfctsht09-508.pdf>" > fact sheet is now available in downloadable format and includes information >on background, elements of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective >Payment System, and quality reporting. >From the MLN: New Fast Fact Posted on MLN Provider Compliance Webpage - A new >fast fact has been posted to the MLN Provider >Compliance<http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/45_ProviderCompliance.asp> webpage, >which contains educational Fee-For-Service provider materials to help you >understand - and avoid - common billing errors and other improper activities >identified through claim review programs. You can review quick tips on >relevant provider compliance issues and corrective actions directly from this >webpage. Please bookmark this page and check back often as a new "fast fact" >is added each month! >From the MLN: Sign Up For the MLN Matters Listserv - Looking for the latest >new and revised MLN Matters articles? Subscribe to the MLN Matters mailing >list! For more information about MLN Matters and how to register for this >service, visit >http://www.CMS.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/What_Is_MLNMatters.pdf and >start receiving updates! >From the MLN: MLN Provider Exhibit Program Schedule - Just A Reminder! The >Medicare Learning Network will be exhibiting at the following healthcare >provider conferences in the coming weeks: § 2011 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting<http://www.cns.org/sections/spine/2012/default.aspx> Saturday, October 1 through Thursday, October 6 Walter E Washington Convention Center - Washington, DC Booth #704 § National Association for Home Care & Hospice 30th Annual Meeting & Exposition<http://www.nahc.org/meetings/AM/11/> Saturday, October 1 through Wednesday, October 5 Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada Booth #362 § American Health Information Management Association Conference<http://www.ahima.org/events/convention/default.aspx> Sunday, October 2 through Wednesday, October 5 Salt Palace Convention Center - Salt Lake City, Utah Booth #1631 § 2011 American Medical Billing Association Conference<http://www.ambanet.net/2011.htm> Wednesday, October 13 through Friday, October 14 Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada Booth #11 § American College of Surgeons 97th Annual Clinical Congress<http://www.facs.org/clincon2011/> Monday, October 24 Moscone Convention Center, South Building - San Francisco, California Booth #393 § West Virginia Rural Health Conference<http://www.wvochs.org/orhp/wvrhc.aspx> Wednesday, October 26 through Friday, October 28 Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa - Morgantown, West Virginia § NEW! Gerontological Society of America 64th Annual Scientific Meeting<http://www.geron.org/annual-meeting> Friday, November 18 through Tuesday, November 22 John B Hynes Memorial Convention Center - Boston, Massachusetts Booth #221 Please make a note of these dates and locations and add them to your calendar! If you are interested in having a CMS Medicare Learning Network® Exhibit at your event, contact us at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. --------------------------------------------------------- Vaccination is the Best Protection Against the Flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu. The risks for complications, hospitalizations, and deaths from the flu are higher among individuals aged 65 years and older. Medicare pays for the seasonal flu vaccine and its administration for seniors and others with Medicare with no co-pay or deductible. And remember, vaccination is particularly important for healthcare workers, who may spread the flu to high risk patients. Don't forget to immunize yourself and your staff. Protect your patients. Protect your family. Protect yourself. Get the Flu Vaccination -- Not the Flu. Remember - Influenza vaccine plus its administration are covered Part B benefits. CMS has posted the 2011-2012 seasonal influenza vaccine payment limits at http://www.CMS.gov/McrPartBDrugAvgSalesPrice/10_VaccinesPricing.asp. 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 healthcare professionals and their staff, 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.
