| NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe | For Immediate Release |
| November 25, 2008 Important Information on Medicare Payment and Supplier Requirements for Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment (CMS Message 2008-11-25)The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an MLN Matters article that emphasizes important information on Medicare payment and supplier requirements for oxygen and oxygen equipment. To assure proper implementation of these policies, the MLN Matters article focuses on significant supplier requirements for furnishing oxygen and oxygen equipment to our beneficiaries. The article (# SE0840 entitled, Changes in Medicare Payment for Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment) is available on the CMS website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0840.pdfCMS has also released questions and answers to address beneficiary concerns regarding the changes in payment and supplier requirements for oxygen and oxygen equipment. To view these questions and answers visit questions.medicare.gov on the Internet. November Flu Shot ReminderFlu season is here! Medicare patients give many reasons for not getting their annual flu shot, including - "It causes the flu"; "I don't need it"; "It has side effects"; "It's not effective"; "I didn't think about it"; "I don't like needles!" The fact is that every year in the United States, on average, about 36,000 people die from influenza. Greater than 90 percent of these deaths occur in individuals 65 years of age and older. You can help your Medicare patients overcome these odds and their personal barriers through patient education. Talk with your Medicare patients about the importance of getting an annual flu shot - and don't forget to immunize yourself and your staff. Protect yourself, your patients, and your family and friends. Get Your Flu Shot - 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 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. To download the Medicare Part B Immunization Billing quick reference chart, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/qr_immun_bill.pdf on the CMS website. A copy of this quick reference chart can be ordered, free of charge, by going to the MLN Products web page and clicking on "MLN Product Ordering Page" in the Related Links Inside CMS section of the web page. |
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