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Friday, December 18, 2009

Modification to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Code Set

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a modification to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code set.   CMS has revised the definition for HCPCS code L8680 to "IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATOR  ELECTRODE, EACH". In making this change, the CY 2010 definition  for L8680  reverts to the definition reflected in the  CY 2009 HCPCS code set.   This change has been posted to the 2010 HCPCS Corrections document located on the HCPCS web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HCPCSReleaseCodeSets/ANHCPCS/list.asp.  
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Flu Season is Here!
 
Annual outbreaks of the seasonal flu usually occur from late fall to early spring.  Typically, 5 to 20 percent of Americans get the seasonal flu, resulting in approximately 36,000 flu-related deaths.[1] 
 
If you have Medicare patients who haven't yet received their flu shot, you can help them reduce their risk of contracting the seasonal flu by recommending an annual seasonal influenza vaccination.  Medicare provides coverage of the seasonal flu vaccine and its administration.  And don't forget to immunize yourself and your staff.  Protect yourself, your staff, your patients, and your family and friends.
 
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 seasonal 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.  You will find a variety of resources that explain Medicare coverage and claims submission policies related to the seasonal influenza vaccine.
 
For information on Medicare policies related to H1N1 influenza, please go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/H1N1 on the CMS website.
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[1] Flu.gov. 2009. About the Flu [online]. Washington DC: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited 30 November 2009]. Available from the World Wide Web:
 (http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.htm )
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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.
 
 


[1] Flu.gov. 2009. About the Flu [online]. Washington DC: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009 [cited 30 November 2009]. Available from the World Wide Web:
 (http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.htm )
 

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