| NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe | For Immediate Release |
| March 06, 2009 Weekly What's New The following publications have been posted to the DME MAC A What's New page:The article Implementation of New Provider Authentication Requirements for Medicare Contractor Provider Telephone and Written Inquiries (MM6139) has been revised. March is National Nutrition Month (CMS Message 2009-03-05) March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (CMS Message 2009-03-04) Enhancements/Updates to NPPES effective March 7, 2009 (CMS Message 2009-03-02) It's Not Too Late to Give and Get the Flu Shot - In the United States, the peak of flu season typically occurs anywhere from late December through March; however, flu season can last as late as May. Each office visit presents an opportunity for you to talk with your patients about the importance of getting an annual flu shot and a one time pneumococcal vaccination. Protect yourself, your patients, and your family and friends by getting and giving the flu shot. Don't Get the Flu. Don't Give the Flu. Remember - Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations plus their administration are covered Part B benefits. Note that influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are NOT Part D covered drugs. Health care professionals and their staff can learn more about Medicare's Part B coverage of adult immunizations and related provider education resources, by reviewing Special Edition MLN Matters article SE0838 http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0838.pdf on the CMS website. (CMS Message 2009-03-04) LCD and Policy Article Revisions Summary for March 2009 The following Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) / Medical Policies have been revised:Ankle-Foot/Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (L11527)Knee Orthoses (L27263)Spinal Orthosis: TLSO and LSO (L11470)Wheelchair Options and Accessories (L11473) For more information visit: http://www.medicarenhic.com/dme/dme_whats_new.shtml March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (CMS Message 2009-03-04)March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! In conjunction with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds health care professionals that Medicare provides coverage for certain colorectal cancer screenings. Colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, is most often found in people age 50 and older, and the risk increases with age. Screening can help prevent and detect colorectal cancer in its earliest stages when out comes are most favorable.Medicare Covered Colorectal Cancer Screenings Medicare provides coverage of colorectal cancer screenings for the early detection of colorectal cancer. All Medicare beneficiaries age 50 and older are covered; however, when an individual is at high risk, there is no minimum age required to receive a screening colonoscopy or a barium enema rendered in place of the screening colonoscopy. An individual is considered to be at high risk for colorectal cancer if he or she has had colorectal cancer before or has a history of polyps, has a family member who has had colorectal cancer or a history of polyps, or has a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.Medicare provides coverage for the following colorectal cancer screenings subject to certain coverage, frequency, and payment limitations:Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)ColonoscopySigmoidoscopyBarium Enema (as an alternative to a covered screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or screening colonoscopy)Prevention Is Key Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States; however it doesn't have to be. Colorectal cancer is largely preventable through screening. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found convincing evidence that certain screenings for colorectal cancer can detect early-stage cancer and adenomatous polyps and reduce colorectal cancer mortality (see the USPSTF link below for more information). CMS needs your help to ensure that all eligible people with Medicare get screened for colorectal cancer. Talk with your Medicare patients and their caregivers about the importance of getting screened. Patients who were screened before becoming Medicare beneficiaries should be encouraged to continue with screening at clinically appropriate intervals.For More Information CMS has developed a variety of educational products and resources to help health care professionals and their staff become familiar with coverage, coding, billing, and reimbursement for all preventive services covered by Medicare.The MLN Preventive Services Educational Products Web Page ~ provides descriptions and ordering information for Medicare Learning Network (MLN) preventive services educational products and resources for health care professionals and their staff. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp Cancer Screenings Brochure ~ This tri-fold brochure provides health care professionals with an overview of cancer screenings covered by Medicare, including colorectal cancer screening services. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Cancer_Screening.pdf. To order copies of the brochure, go to the MLN Product Ordering Page located at: http://cms.meridianksi.com/kc/main/kc_frame.asp?kc_ident=kc0001&loc=5For information to share with your Medicare patients, visit http://www.medicare.govThe United State Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently revised its colorectal cancer screening recommendations: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspscolo.htmThe Carolinas Center for Excellence website is a great resource for examining screening rates at a local level: http://www2.thecarolinascenter.org/crc/crc.aspx?tabid=229The American Cancer Society offers free materials to help clinicians continue encouraging colorectal cancer screening among patients 50 and older: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PRO/PRO_4_ColonMD.aspThe National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, which is convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Cancer Society, provides resources for providers, including a guide for primary care physicians: http://www.nccrt.org/For more information about National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, please visit http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal3c.aspx?id=1036Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. Encourage your patients to get screened-it could save their lives. Thank you. March is National Nutrition Month (CMS Message 2009-03-05)March is National Nutrition Month® ~ Please join with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in promoting increased awareness of nutrition, healthful eating and the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) benefit covered by Medicare. More than 13.7 million Americans at least 60 years or older are diagnosed with diabetes or chronic kidney disease[1]. MNT provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional may result in improved diabetes and renal disease management and other health outcomes and may help delay disease progression.Medicare Coverage Medicare provides coverage of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for beneficiaries diagnosed with diabetes and/or renal disease (except for those receiving dialysis) and post renal transplant when provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional who meets the provider qualifications requirement. A referral by the beneficiary's treating physician indicating a diagnosis of diabetes or renal disease is required. Medicare provides coverage for 3 hours of MNT in the first year and 2 hours in subsequent years, and additional hours in certain situations.Note:For the purpose of this benefit, renal disease means chronic renal insufficiency or the medical condition of a beneficiary who has been discharged from the hospital after a successful renal transplant for up to 36 months post transplant. Chronic renal insufficiency means a reduction in renal function not severe enough to require dialysis or transplantation [Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) 13-50 ml/min/1.73m2].What Can You Do? As a trusted source of health care information, your patients rely on their physician's or other health care professional's recommendations. CMS requests your help to ensure that all eligible people with Medicare take full advantage of the medical nutrition therapy benefit. Talk with your eligible Medicare patients about the benefits of managing diabetes and renal disease through MNT and encourage them to make an appointment with a registered dietitian or nutrition professional qualified to provide MNT services covered by Medicare.For More Information CMS has developed a variety of educational products and resources to help health care professionals and their staff become familiar with coverage, coding, billing, and reimbursement for all preventive services covered by Medicare.The MLN Preventive Services Educational Products Web Page ~ provides descriptions and ordering information for Medicare Learning Network (MLN) preventive services educational products and resources for health care professionals and their staff. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp Diabetes-Related Services Brochure ~ This tri-fold brochure provides health care professionals with an overview of Medicare's coverage of diabetes screening tests, diabetes self-management training, medical nutrition therapy, and supplies and other services for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/DiabetesSvcs.pdf To order copies of the brochure, go to the MLN Product Ordering System located at: http://cms.meridianksi.com/kc/main/kc_frame.asp?kc_ident=kc0001&loc=5 The CMS website provides additional information about the MNT benefit at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicalNutritionTherapy/For information to share with your Medicare patients, visit http://www.medicare.govFor more information about National Nutrition Month®, or to "Find a Nutrition Professional" please visit http://www.eatright.org.Thank you for your support in helping CMS spread the word about the benefits of good nutrition, healthful eating and the medical nutrition therapy benefit covered by Medicare that may help people with Medicare learn to control and manage their medical conditions.[1] Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet," accessed at: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/ddtstrs/FactSheet.aspx. The United States Renal Data System, "2008 USRDS Annual Data Report (ADR) Atlas," accessed at: http://www.usrds.org/2008/pdf/V1_Precis_2008.pdf. |
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