Daily CMS NEWS: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

DME MAC A News for August 31, 2009 - Implementation of New Provider Contact Center Technology

NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2009

Implementation of New Provider Contact Center TechnologyOn August 14th, NHIC, Corp. DME MAC Jurisdiction A implemented a new technology within the Provider Contact Center. This new technology will help reduce the time a caller spends on the phone by gathering the provider authentication elements at the beginning of the call via an automated phone system and transferring the information to the Customer Service Representative (CSR). This will allow the CSR to already have the information available when they receive the call, thus allowing them to address the caller's question more quickly.The phone number for the Provider Contact Center is 866-590-6731. To utilize the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit, please call 866-419-9458. As a reminder, if you call the Provider Contact Center with an issue that should be addressed via the IVR, you will be referred back to the IVR line. Customer Service Representatives cannot address information that is provided via the IVR.

Forward email

This email was sent to support@dmefree.com by nhic-dmemacwebmaster@eds.com.Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by

NHIC | 75 Sgt William Terry Drive | Hingham | MA | 02043

DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

Faxing Tips: In our increasing electronic environment, more and more inquiries and responses are being submitted by fax. To ensure your faxes are received and processed timely at CIGNA Government Services, please read more...
http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10577.html

Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference-Rules for Submitting a Bid: REMINDER: The second in a series of Special Open Door Forums (ODF), which serve as bidders' conferences, to provide information on the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies competitive bidding program will be held on September 2, 2009, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT. Read more...
http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10576.html

Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency Preparedness Questions and Answers: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency Preparedness Questions and Answers (Qs & As). The Emergency Qs & As are posted in a document at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Emergency/10_PandemicFlu.asp. These Qs & As include a section applicable to the H1N1 flu virus.

The document is dated to reflect the posting date. As additions and changes are made to the document, the download name will change to reflect the date. Please take note that these Qs & As do not address a Section 1135 waiver situation.

http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10574.html

Did you miss the Information Exchange with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20?: You can still listen to the exchange using the Encore feature - Dial 800-642-1687, conference identification is H1N1. Also - you can continue to send questions and comment to H1N1.listening@hhs.gov. While questions cannot be answered individually, these questions will help shape the content and subject matter of the next call, scheduled for September 14.

http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10573.html

Thank you for visiting www.cignagovernmentservices.com!

Edit Membership

Cancel Membership

Contact Us

Please do not respond to this message. This is an unmonitored mailbox. Please use our Online Help Center to submit any comments and inquiries to CIGNA Government Services.

DME MAC A News for August 31, 2009 - Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference - Rules for Submitting a Bid

NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe

For Immediate Release

August 31, 2009
Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference-Rules for Submitting a Bid (CMS Message 200908-43) REMINDER: The second in a series of Special Open Door Forums (ODF), which serve as bidders' conferences, to provide information on the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies competitive bidding program will be held on September 2, 2009, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT. At this Special ODF, we will provide an overview of the competitive bidding areas (CBAs), product categories, and important rules to remember when submitting your bid(s). In addition, we will discuss eligibility requirements such as meeting supplier standards, subcontracting, licensure, bonding, and accreditation. We will also provide an overview of special rules for physicians and treating practitioners, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals.The PowerPoint presentation for this Special ODF is now available on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) web site. We encourage those who will be participating to print out the PowerPoint presentation before the Special ODF. For more information on this presentation and other educational activities, please visit the CBIC web site, http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/Special Open Door Participation Instructions:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935
Reference Conference ID: 23044340Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning Friday, September 11, 2009.For Open Door Forum schedule updates, E-Mailing list subscriptions, and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/Thank you for your interest in CMS Open Door Forums.

Forward email

This email was sent to support@dmefree.com by nhic-dmemacwebmaster@eds.com.Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by

NHIC | 75 Sgt William Terry Drive | Hingham | MA | 02043

Jurisdiction B News: DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Rules Open Door Forum

Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference-Rules for Submitting a Bid (200908-43)
REMINDER: The second in a series of Special Open Door Forums (ODF), which serve as bidders' conferences, to provide information on the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies competitive bidding program will be held on September 2, 2009, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT. At this Special ODF, we will provide an overview of the competitive bidding areas (CBAs), product categories, and important rules to remember when submitting your bid(s). In addition, we will discuss eligibility requirements such as meeting supplier standards, subcontracting, licensure, bonding, and accreditation. We will also provide an overview of special rules for physicians and treating practitioners, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals. The PowerPoint presentation for this Special ODF is now available on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) web site. We encourage those who will be participating to print out the PowerPoint presentation before the Special ODF. For more information on this presentation and other educational activities, please visit the CBIC web site, http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/ Special Open Door Participation Instructions:Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 23044340Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help. An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning Friday, September 11, 2009. For Open Door Forum schedule updates, E-Mailing list subscriptions, and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/ . Thank you for your interest in CMS Open Door Forums.

Remember! National Government Services' Jurisdiction B DME MAC List Serve is for out going messages only. Please do not respond back to messages as your response will not be answered, as this is not an authorized mode of communication at this time, Thank you!

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply E-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
To unsubscribe/change profile: click here.

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

Jurisdiction B News: DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Rules Open Door Forum

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

Jurisdiction B News: Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend

Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend (200908-39)

This message is only for DME MACs!!! The CMS registration system for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program will be unavailable due to routine maintenance from Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time until Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) toll-free help desk will close for the Labor Day holiday on Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The CBIC website, www.DMECompetitiveBid.com, and the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit will be available for registration and bidding information.

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

Jurisdiction B News: Did you miss the Information Exchange on H1N1

Did you miss the Information Exchange with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20? (200908-37) Did you miss the Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20? You can still listen to the exchange using the Encore feature – Dial 800-642-1687, conference identification is H1N1. Also – you can continue to send questions and comment to H1N1.listening@hhs.gov . While questions cannot be answered individually, these questions will help shape the content and subject matter of the next call, scheduled for September 14.

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

Friday, August 28, 2009

Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference-Rules for Submitting a Bid

Subject: Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conferenceâ€”Rules for Submitting a Bid

REMINDER: The second in a series of Special Open Door Forums (ODF), which serve as bidders' conferences, to provide information on the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies competitive bidding program will be held on September 2, 2009, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT. At this Special ODF, we will provide an overview of the competitive bidding areas (CBAs), product categories, and important rules to remember when submitting your bid(s). In addition, we will discuss eligibility requirements such as meeting supplier standards, subcontracting, licensure, bonding, and accreditation. We will also provide an overview of special rules for physicians and treating practitioners, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals.

The PowerPoint presentation for this Special ODF is now available on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) web site. We encourage those who will be participating to print out the PowerPoint presentation before the Special ODF. For more information on this presentation and other educational activities, please visit the CBIC web site, http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/

Special Open Door Participation Instructions:

Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 23044340

Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.

An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning Friday, September 11, 2009.

For Open Door Forum schedule updates, E-Mailing list subscriptions, and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/ .

Thank you for your interest in CMS Open Door Forums.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser.

If you received this message as part of the All FFS Providers listserv, you are currently subscribed to one of eighteen Medicare Fee-For-Service provider listservs. If you would like to be removed from all NIH listservs, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/LISTSERV_WEB/signoff.htm) to unsubscribe. If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific provider listserv, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/show_list_archives) 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.hhs.gov/ContactCMS). Thank you.

DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark: The revised ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark (August 2009), which provides information about the ICD-10-Clinical Modification/ Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including the benefits of adopting the coding system, recommended steps to be taken in order to plan and prepare for implementation of the coding system, and where additional information about the coding system can be found, is now available in print format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/, scroll down to "Related Links Inside CMS" and select "MLN Product Ordering Page."

http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10567.html

Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend: The CMS registration system for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program will be unavailable due to routine maintenance from Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time until Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) toll-free help desk will close for the Labor Day holiday on Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The CBIC website, www.DMECompetitiveBid.com, and the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit will be available for registration and bidding information.

http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10564.html

Thank you for visiting www.cignagovernmentservices.com!

Edit Membership

Cancel Membership

Contact Us

Please do not respond to this message. This is an unmonitored mailbox. Please use our Online Help Center to submit any comments and inquiries to CIGNA Government Services.

DME MAC A News for August 28, 2009 - Oxygen and Supplies CERT Physician Letter

NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe

For Immediate Release

August 28, 2009
Oxygen & Supplies CERT Physician Letter
Dear Physician:The Comprehensive Error Rate (CERT), Contractor under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), performs medical review for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) provided to Medicare beneficiaries to determine paid claims error rates for Medicare contractors and providers. It is your responsibility as the ordering physician to determine and document the medical need for all healthcare services.The CERT Contractor may request that the supplier obtain this information from you in order to verify that Medicare coverage criteria have been met. The supplier must submit the documentation to CERT within 75 days from the date of the first initial request letter.For Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment to be covered by Medicare, the patient's medical record must contain sufficient information about the patient's medical condition to substantiate the necessity for the type and quantity of items ordered and for the frequency of use or replacement (if applicable). As the treating physician, you are responsible for the following:A complete order that includes the liter flowReviewing, signing, and dating the Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMN) in a timely mannerDocumenting an in-person evaluation within 30 days prior to the date of initial CMNDocumenting an in-person re-evaluation within 90 days prior to the date of any recertificationOngoing documentation of the medical management of the patient's oxygen use in the patient's recordDMEPOS suppliers are your partners in caring for your patient. They will not receive payment from Medicare for the items that are ordered if you do not provide information from your medical records when it is requested. Furthermore, not providing this information may result in your patients having to pay for the item themselves. Finally, your cooperation is a legal requirement as outlined in the Social Security Act, the law governing Medicare: In accordance with 42U.S.C. 1320C-5 (a) (3) and 1833 of the Social Security Act, as a Medicare provider, you must provide documentation and medical records to the CERT contractor upon request to support claims for Medicare services. It is your responsibility to obtain additional supporting documentation from a third party (hospital, nursing home, etc.), as necessary. Providing medical records of Medicare patients to the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) contractor is within the scope of compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).You may not charge the supplier or the beneficiary to provide this information to the supplier.Help your DMEPOS supplier continue to provide good service to your patients by promptly providing the information from your medical records that is requested.DO NOT send medical records directly to the DME MAC. Provide them to the equipment supplier who originated this request.Thank you.

Forward email

This email was sent to support@dmefree.com by nhic-dmemacwebmaster@eds.com.Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by

NHIC | 75 Sgt William Terry Drive | Hingham | MA | 02043

DME MAC A News for August 28, 2009 - Weekly Updates

NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe

For Immediate Release

August 28, 2009

Weekly What's New

The following publications have been posted to the DME MAC A What's New page:An Oxygen & Supplies CERT Physician Letter is now available

Expansion of the Current Scope of Editing for Ordering/Referring Providers for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplier (DMEPOS) Suppliers Claims Processed by Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) (MM6421)

DME MAC Jurisdiction A Correspondence - P.O. Box Reminder

A Message from Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (CMS Message 200908-26)

Vice President Biden Announces Availability of Nearly $1.2 Billion in Grants to Help Hospitals and Doctors Use Electronic Health Records (CMS Message 200908-28)

5010: Taking EDI to the Next Level - Third National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010 (CMS Message 200908-31)

Medicare Demonstrations Show Paying for Quality Health Care Pays Off (CMS Message 200908-27)

Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Codes (HPTC) October 2009 Update (CR6598)

Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency Preparedness Questions and Answers - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Medicare Fee-for-Service Emergency Preparedness Questions and Answers (Qs & As). The Emergency Qs & As are posted in a document at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Emergency/10_PandemicFlu.asp. These Qs & As include a section applicable to the H1N1 flu virus. The document is dated to reflect the posting date. As additions and changes are made to the document, the download name will change to reflect the date. Please take note that these Qs & As do not address a Section 1135 waiver situation. (CMS Message 200908-35)

Did you miss the Information Exchange with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20? Did you miss the Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20? You can still listen to the exchange using the Encore feature - Dial 800-642-1687, conference identification is H1N1. Also - you can continue to send questions and comment to H1N1.listening@hhs.gov. While questions cannot be answered individually, these questions will help shape the content and subject matter of the next call, scheduled for September 14. (CMS Message 200908-37)

Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend - The CMS registration system for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program will be unavailable due to routine maintenance from Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time until Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) toll-free help desk will close for the Labor Day holiday on Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The CBIC website, http://www.DMECompetitiveBid.com, and the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit will be available for registration and bidding information. (CMS Message 200908-39)

The revised publication titled ICD-10-CM/PCS: An Introduction Fact Sheet (August 2009), which was previously titled ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System Fact Sheet, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ICD-10factsheet2009.pdf. This fact sheet provides general information about the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including benefits of adopting the new coding system, structural differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS, and implementation planning recommendations. (CMS Message 200908-33)

ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark - The revised ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark (August 2009), which provides information about the ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including the benefits of adopting the coding system, recommended steps to be taken in order to plan and prepare for implementation of the coding system, and where additional information about the coding system can be found, is now available in print format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/, scroll down to "Related Links Inside CMS" and select "MLN Product Ordering Page." (CMS Message 200908-40)
For more information visit:

http://www.medicarenhic.com/dme/dme_whats_new.shtml

Get Ready for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding!The Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program Round 1 Rebid is coming soon!!Summer 2009CMS announces bidding schedule/schedule of education eventsCMS begins bidder education campaignBidder registration period to obtain user ID and passwords beginsFall 2009Bidding beginsIf you are a supplier interested in bidding, prepare now - don't wait!UPDATE YOUR NSC FILES: DMEPOS supplier standard # 2 requires ALL suppliers to notify the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) of any change to the information provided on the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855S) within 30 days of the change. DMEPOS suppliers should use the 3/09 version of the CMS-855S and should review and update:The list of products and services found in section 2.D;The Authorized Official(s) information in sections 6A and 15; andThe correspondence address in section 2A2 of the CMS-855S.This is especially important for suppliers who will be involved in the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. These suppliers must ensure the information listed on their supplier files is accurate to enable participation in this program. Information and instructions on how to submit a change of information may be found on the NSC Web site (http://www.palmettogba.com/nsc) and by following this path: Supplier Enrollment/Change of Information/Change of Information Guide.

GET LICENSED: Suppliers submitting a bid for a product category in a competitive bidding area (CBA) must meet all DMEPOS state licensure requirements and other applicable state licensure requirements, if any, for that product category for every state in that CBA. Prior to submitting a bid for a CBA and product category, the supplier must have a copy of the applicable state licenses on file with the NSC. As part of the bid evaluation we will verify with the NSC that the supplier has on file a copy of all applicable required state license(s).

GET ACCREDITED: CMS would like to remind DMEPOS suppliers that time is running out to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. Accreditation takes an average of 6 months to complete. DMEPOS suppliers should contact a CMS deemed accreditation organization to obtain information about the accreditation process and the application process. Suppliers must be accredited for a product category in order to submit a bid for that product category. CMS cannot contract with suppliers that are not accredited by a CMS-approved accreditation organization.

Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements along with a list of the accreditation organizations and those professionals and other persons exempted from accreditation may be found at the CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/01_Overview.asp

GET BONDED: CMS would like to remind DMEPOS suppliers that certain suppliers will need to obtain and submit a surety bond by the October 2, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked. Suppliers subject to the bonding requirement must be bonded in order to bid in the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. A list of sureties from which a bond can be secured is found at the Department of the Treasury's "List of Certified (Surety Bond) Companies;" the web site is located at: http://www.fms.treas.gov/c570/c570_a-z.htmlVisit the CMS website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/ for the latest information on the DMEPOS competitive bidding program.

DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming In OctoberSuppliers May Choose to Voluntarily Terminate Enrollment If They Do Not Plan To ComplyMedicare suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS), unless exempt, must be accredited and obtain a surety bond by October 1, 2009 and October 2, 2009, respectively.If you have made the decision not to obtain accreditation or a surety bond when required, you may want to voluntarily terminate your enrollment in the Medicare program before the implementation dates above. You can voluntary terminate your enrollment with the Medicare program by completing the sections associated with voluntary termination on page 4 of the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855S). Once complete, you should sign, date and send the completed application to the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC). By voluntarily terminating your Medicare enrollment, you will preserve your right to re-enroll in Medicare once you meet the requirements to participate in the Medicare program.If you do not comply with the accreditation and surety bond requirements and do not submit a voluntary termination, your Medicare billing privileges will be revoked. A revocation will bar you from re-enrolling in Medicare for at least one year after the date of revocation.Suppliers who do not plan to stay enrolled in Medicare are strongly encouraged to notify their beneficiaries as soon as possible so the beneficiary can find another supplier.For additional information regarding DMEPOS accreditation or the provisions associated with a surety bond, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the surety bond requirement can be found on the NSC's FAQ page at http://www.palmettogba.com/nsc.

Forward email

This email was sent to support@dmefree.com by nhic-dmemacwebmaster@eds.com.Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe | Privacy Policy.

Email Marketing by

NHIC | 75 Sgt William Terry Drive | Hingham | MA | 02043

Jurisdiction B News: Open Question and Answer ACT Material Now Available

National Government Services conducted an Open Question and Answer Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference (ACT) on Thursday, August 13, 2009. The following materials are now posted to the Web site: MP3 Audio: The MP3 Audio playback allows you to hear the ACT in its entirety. MP3 Transcript: The MP3 Transcript of the ACT provides exact verbiage from the MP3 Audio in a PDF file. To access these materials, click on or paste the following into your Internet browser:http://www.ngsmedicare.com/ngsmedicare/DMEMAC/EducationandSupport/
Teleconferences/IndexTeleConDMEMAC.aspx The follow-up Question and Answer (Q&A) document will be posted to the Web site soon. Please watch your listserv for an announcement of the availability of this Q&A document. To sign up for listserv, click on or paste the following into your Internet browser: http://www.ngsmedicare.com/NGSMedicare/DMERC_MailerMailer.html

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

Jurisdiction B News: Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend

Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend (200908-38) The CMS registration system for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program will be unavailable due to routine maintenance from Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time until Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) toll-free help desk will close for the Labor Day holiday on Friday, September 4, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The CBIC website, www.DMECompetitiveBid.com, and the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit will be available for registration and bidding information.

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

Jurisdiction B News: ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark

ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark (200908-40) The revised ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark (August 2009), which provides information about the ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including the benefits of adopting the coding system, recommended steps to be taken in order to plan and prepare for implementation of the coding system, and where additional information about the coding system can be found, is now available in print format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ , scroll down to Related Links Inside CMS and select MLN Product Ordering Page.

Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com

Common Electronic Data Interchange Maintenance for Sunday, August 30, 2009

Attention all Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) Trading Partners,

Suppliers, Billing Services, Clearinghouses, and Vendors

Common Electronic Data Interchange reserves the time on Sundays between 12:00

a.m. - 11:59 p.m. eastern time (ET) to perform routine maintenance. During this

time, CEDI has normally been able to accept electronic files but did not

produce Level 1 and GenResponse reports.

On Sunday, August 30, 2009, CEDI will be utilizing this maintenance window.

During the time of the maintenance, Trading Partners will be able to connect to

CEDI but will not be able to login and exchange transactions with CEDI. Trading

Partners who try to log in to CEDI will receive the message "Invalid User

ID/Password". This does not mean that your User ID has been removed from CEDI

or that your password needs to be reset. It is merely the message you will

receive if you try to login to CEDI on Sunday, August 30, 2009.

Once the maintenance has been completed, CEDI will be reopened for Trading

Partners to connect and to login. Trading Partners will be able resume

connecting to CEDI with their Login ID and password no later than 12:00 a.m. ET

on Monday, August 31, 2009.

Thank you,

National Government Services, Inc.

Corporate Communications

If you want to update your profile or unsubscribe from any of our lists, you

will first need to set up a password for your account. To do this, click on the

select one of the following:

? Login - existing / transferred subscribers can obtain a new password and

subscribe or unsubscribe from lists

? Manage Account - change personal information such as your address or phone

number

? Join - new subscribers can create an account and subscribe to lists

Please do not reply to this e-mail. National Government Services' Listserv is

for outgoing messages only. Please do not respond back to messages as your

response will not be answered, as this is not an authorized mode of

communication at this time.

NAS DME Update

NAS DME Jurisdiction D E-mail List

====================================================================

Subscribed Interests

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Oxygen

Oxygen CMN Reminder

NAS is seeing oxygen Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMNs) for replacement equipment with a testing date noted in Section B as after the initial date noted in Section A. The oxygen CMN states, "Enter the result of the most recent test taken on or before the certification date listed in Section A."

Read the complete update: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=EkVEFAEApFptSUFjLc&tmpl=dme_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

General Announcements

--------------------------------------------------------------------

CMS Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference - Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Conference Call Only

Read the complete update: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=EkVEFAkFVELvGAcujj&tmpl=dme_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

Compliance Standards for Consignment Closets and Stock Bill Arrangements

Recently CMS released Change Request (CR) 6528 outlining guidelines for DMEPOS that are maintained at a location owned by a physician or non-physician practitioner with a purpose to distribute products to Medicare beneficiaries. Suppliers involved in these arrangements, commonly referred to as consignment closets or stock/bill arrangements are required to meet current standards. CR 6528 also details additional guidelines for these arrangements that are included in the Program Integrity Manual (PIM), Chapter 10, Section 21.8.

Read the complete update: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=EkVEFAkukAJoQNvpsb&tmpl=dme_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

Refractive Lenses Workshop

Join NAS for a Refractive Lenses Web-based workshop on September 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. CT.

Read the complete update: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=EkVEFAkVyASpOTtlYV&tmpl=dme_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

Top Ten Redeterminations

NAS is providing solutions to the top ten redeterminations the Appeals staff received from January - May 2009. This includes denials for medical necessity, maximum amount paid, frequency, certificates of medical necessity, frequency, same/similar, noncovered charges, recertification, and duplicates.

Read the complete update: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=EkVEFAklkyApqurRMD&tmpl=dme_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

Surety Bond FAQs

CMS announced on December 29, 2008, some DMEPOS suppliers will be subject to a surety bond requirement to obtain/maintain Medicare billing privileges. In an attempt to keep the supplier community informed, CMS has released a series of frequently asked questions regarding the bonding requirement. This list will be updated as additional information becomes available. See the list of surety bond FAQs on the National Supplier Clearinghouse Web site.

Read the complete update: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=EkVEFAFEkkPKEfdXXk&tmpl=dme_viewnews&style=part_ab_viewnews

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Palmetto GBA E-mail Update

*************************************************************************************

Please do not reply to this message. This is an announcement e-mail only.

*************************************************************************************

Surety Bond FAQs

DMEPOS suppliers are reminded that the deadline for submitting surety bonds

to the NSC is October 2, 2009. Stay informed. View the recently updated

frequently asked questions on the NSC web site.

http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7RHJBC5825?opendocument

Applies to:

National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC)//General - NSC

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Palmetto GBA sent this e-mail to you because your Member Profile indicates

that you want to receive information from us for these listserv(s):

DMERC Region C//Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

DMERC Region C//FAQs

DMERC Region C//General - DMEPOS

DMERC Region C//Home Care Equipment Supplies

DMERC Region C//Orthotics and Prosthetics

DMERC Region C//Oxygen

DMERC Region C//Pharmacies

DMERC Region C//Power Mobility

DMERC Region C//Respiratory

General//Statistical Analysis DME (SADMERC)

General//Vendors Clearinghouses and Billing Services

General//Web Site Announcements

National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC)//General - NSC

Jurisdiction C EDI//JCEDI

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

You are subscribed as pcshme

To change your Providers Information Dispatch preferences, go to

http://www.palmettogba.com/registration.nsf/UpdateRedirect?OpenPage&Login

If you would like to unsubscribe from our e-mail service, please go to

http://www.palmettogba.com/registration.nsf/Unsubscribe?OpenForm&pcshme

Visit our Privacy Policy if you have any questions, please go to:

http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/docsCat/Our%20Privacy%20Promise?opendocument

Please do not reply to this message. This is an announcement e-mail only.

DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

CERT Webinar: If the CERT Contractor audits your claims, are you ready? Would you like to avoid an overpayment request, improve your ability to respond to potential audits, and lessen the chances of additional audits? If you answered "Yes!" to these questions then we have the Webinar for you! The Jurisdiction C DME MAC Provider Outreach and Education team is pleased to offer a CERT Webinar covering CERT audits and how to survive them. Read more... http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10519a.html

Canes and Walkers Webinar: Join your CIGNA Government Services Provider Outreach and Education (POE) team for webinar sessions covering Canes, Crutches, and Walkers. We'll discuss the coverage criteria and coding guidelines for each, and spend some time talking about the concept of Mobility Related Activites of Daily Living (MRADL's). Read more...
http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0809/cope10520.html

PCC Training Closure: Due to the call center closure on Monday, September 7, 2009, CIGNA Government Services Jurisdiction C Provider Contact Center will not be closed Thursday morning September 10, 2009 for the regularly scheduled call center staff training.

Thank you for visiting www.cignagovernmentservices.com!

Edit Membership

Cancel Membership

Contact Us

Please do not respond to this message. This is an unmonitored mailbox. Please use our Online Help Center to submit any comments and inquiries to CIGNA Government Services.

Daily CMS NEWS

Monday, August 31, 2009

DME MAC A News for August 31, 2009 - Implementation of New Provider Contact Center Technology

DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

DME MAC A News for August 31, 2009 - Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference - Rules for Submitting a Bid

Jurisdiction B News: DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Rules Open Door Forum

Jurisdiction B News: DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Rules Open Door Forum

Jurisdiction B News: Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend

Jurisdiction B News: Did you miss the Information Exchange on H1N1

Friday, August 28, 2009

Special Open Door Forum: Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference-Rules for Submitting a Bid

DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

DME MAC A News for August 28, 2009 - Oxygen and Supplies CERT Physician Letter

DME MAC A News for August 28, 2009 - Weekly Updates

Jurisdiction B News: Open Question and Answer ACT Material Now Available

Jurisdiction B News: Registration System and Help Desk Closed Labor Day Weekend

Jurisdiction B News: ICD-10-CM/PCS Bookmark

Common Electronic Data Interchange Maintenance for Sunday, August 30, 2009

NAS DME Update

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Palmetto GBA E-mail Update

DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

About this Blog

click here to visit DMEFree Home Page

Blog Archive

Recommended Links

Monday, August 31, 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Thursday, August 27, 2009

About this Blog

Blog Archive

Recommended Links

Subscribe To