Daily CMS NEWS

Updated Daily! brought to you by PC SOLUTIONS / DMEFREE visit us at www.dmefree.com

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Jurisdiction B News: November 12th - Open Question & Answer ACT

 
     
     
     
    November 12, Open Question & Answer Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference National Government Services, the Jurisdiction B Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) will conduct an Open Question and Answer Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference for Medicare fee-for-service DMEPOS suppliers.  This call will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm eastern standard time. This teleconference will be an open question and answer session with representation from all the Jurisdiction B DME MAC departments.This teleconference is recommended for all Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers who bill the Jurisdiction B DME MAC. We encourage all Medicare fee-for-service DMEPOS suppliers to sign up for this free educational opportunity. This teleconference will be approximately 90 minutes. Participants will earn 1 Medicare University credit for attending this session.  Additional information will be provided during the teleconference for instructions on how to obtain credit. Registration is available online only!  To register online, please click on the following link:http://www.ngsmedicare.com/ADC/EventList.aspx?fromdate=11/1/2009&todate=11/30/2009&display=Month&type=public&eventidn=806&view=EventDetails&information_id=1069
     Registration InstructionsOnce you are on the "Events Calendar" page, click the link for the event for which you wish to register and follow these instructions:On the "Events Details page", click the icon above the dark blue line on the page that says "Register". A new screen will pop up entitled, "Event Registration Form", please fill out all required information and click <Next>.The "Event Registration Form-Confirmation" screen will appear.Verify your entries and click <Next> at the bottom of the registration screen.A new screen will appear, "Event Registration - Thank you!" to very successful registration.An email confirmation will immediately be sent to the email address you provided.Review and print the email confirmation - Do not delete the confirmation as it contains the dial in instructions. It is important that you save this e-mail confirmation in order to attend the November 12th ACT.
     
     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
    Posted by at

    DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

     DME MAC Jurisdiction C News
    Only 1 Week Left to Register for the Round 1 Rebid of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program - If you are a supplier interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program, you must register before November 4, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. EST. Suppliers that do not register cannot bid and are not eligible for contracts. Read more...
    http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/1009/cope10921.html
    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.
    Posted by at

    Jurisdiction B News: Only 1 Week Left to Register for the Round 1 Rebid

     
     
     
     
    Only 1 Week Left to Register for the Round 1 Rebid of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program (CMS Message 200910-40) Reminder:  If you are a supplier interested in participating in the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program, you must register before November 4, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. EST.  Suppliers that do not register cannot bid and are not eligible for contracts.  Don t wait – go to www.dmecompetitivebid.com and register TODAY!

    The target registration dates for Authorized Officials (AOs) and Backup Authorized Officials (BAOs) to register in CMS Individuals Authorized Access to the CMS Computer Services (IACS) system have passed.  End Users (EUs), as well as any AOs and BAOs who have not yet registered, should be registering now.  Only suppliers that have registered and received a user ID and password will be able to access the on-line bidding system and submit bids.  If the AO for your company has not already registered, we cannot guarantee that he or she will be able to complete the registration process before registration closes.  This is especially a concern if the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) record for your company is not current and accurate. If your AO does not register, you cannot bid and will not be eligible for a contract.  In addition, suppliers whose AOs have not registered are at risk of experiencing delays in accessing the on-line bidding system to get a bidder number and thereby missing the opportunity to submit financial documents by the Covered Document Review Date (CDRD). 
     If you have registered an AO but not a BAO, we strongly recommend that a BAO register now. The establishment of a BAO is encouraged, if your company has someone who can occupy the BAO role, to avoid any disruption in the bidding process.  The individual in the BAO role can assume the AO role if for some reason the AO can no longer fulfill his or her bidding responsibilities.  If there is no BAO for a company and the AO leaves the company, all end users associated with the company will lose access to the bidding system.  Remember, the AO and BAO must be listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form as an AO. Once the AO registers, then the AO s user ID and password will be sent by mail and should be delivered within 10 days after successful registration.  After an AO receives his or her user ID and password, the AO may designate other employees to serve as BAOs and/or EUs.  BAOs and EUs must also register in order to be able to use the on-line bidding system.  The legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number (SSN) of the AO and BAOs must match exactly with what is on file with the NSC in order to register successfully. Legal names, dates of birth, and SSNs of all users must also match what is on file with the Social Security Administration.  No AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes on November 4, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. EST. To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com.  Please review the IACS Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions on registration. The CBIC web site also has the following useful registration tools:  a checklist; Quick Step guides; and frequently asked questions.  If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact the CBIC Customer Service Center at 1-877-577-5331. 
    Please note: If you have trouble with any links below, please cut and paste the url into your browser.
     
     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
    Posted by at

    Jurisdiction B News: Claim Submission Errors & Telephone and Written Inquiries

     
     
     
     
    National Government Services has analyzed data of the top claim submission errors (CSEs), telephone inquiries, and written inquiries received from our suppliers during the month of September 2009.  The reports developed provide details about the claim submission errors and inquiries as well as information and resources to assist the supplier community in avoiding and resolving the issues. These reports for September 2009 have now been posted to the National Government Services Web site. 

    September 2009 Claim Submission Errors: http://www.ngsmedicare.com/content.aspx?CatID=3&DOCID=189     
    September 2009 Telephone and Written Inquiries:
    http://www.ngsmedicare.com/content.aspx?CatID=3&DOCID=217
     
     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
    Posted by at

    Jurisdiction B News: Medicare Advantage Annual Election Period

     
     
     
     
    Reminder:  Medicare Advantage Annual Election Period and Open Enrollment Period Begins November 15, 2009 and Continues through March 31, 2010 Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are approved by Medicare, but are ran by private insurance companies.  They are part of the Medicare Program, and sometimes called Part C .  When a Medicare eligible beneficiary elects to join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the Medicare beneficiary still receives Medicare coverage; however in most cases the Medicare beneficiary must receive services from network physicians and suppliers. November 15, 2009 marks the beginning of the Medicare Advantage Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare beneficiaries. During the annual election period, Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in or disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan. The annual election period is also referred to as the Fall Open Enrollment Season in Medicare beneficiary publications and other resource tools. The annual election period occurs November 15 throughDecember 31 of every year. In addition to the opportunities available during the Annual Election Period, Medicare eligible beneficiaries may make one Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) enrollment request from January 1st through March31stof every year. Note:  Please refer to the CMS Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-16 Medicare Manage Care Manual for specific CMS instruction regarding the Medicare Managed Care Plans. To avoid OA-24 denials due to a Medicare Advantage Plan enrollment, suppliers are encouraged to pre-screen their new patients for Medicare Advantage Plans and re-confirm medical coverage for existing patients. The Jurisdiction B DME MAC Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system may be accessed to verify the beneficiary s eligibility.  By selection option 2 (eligibility) from the main menu, suppliers can verify the Medicare Advantage Plan number, address, telephone number and effective/termination dates.  The IVR can be accessed at 1-877-299-7900 Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Jurisdiction B DME MAC Claim Status Inquiry (CSI) is also available to assist suppliers in confirming Medicare Advantage Plans.  CSI is available from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday and 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturdays. Suppliers may obtain CSI enrollment information on the National Government Services Web site at: http://www.ngsmedicare.com/content.aspx?CatID=3&DOCID=161
     For additional details on how to prevent ANSI OA-24 and OA-109 denials, please view the article titled How to Prevent OA-109 Claim Denials on the National Government Services Web site at: http://www.ngsmedicare.com/pdf/oa-109_092508.pdf
     
     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
    Posted by at

    Tuesday, October 27, 2009

    DME MAC Jurisdiction C News

     DME MAC Jurisdiction C News
    Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference: Open Call: Please join us for the eighth and final Special Open Door Forum (ODF) bidders' conference for the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program. At this Special ODF, we will respond to prospective bidders' questions about the competitive bidding process. Read more...
    http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/1009/cope10900.html
    Upcoming DME Provider Contact Center Closures: The DME Jurisdiction C Provider Contact Center will be closed for staff training and in observance of the Veterans Day holiday on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time. The Contact Center will also be closed on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Central Time for administrative purposes. Read more...
    http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/1009/cope10902.html
    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.
    Posted by at

    NAS DME Update



    NAS DME Jurisdiction D E-mail List
    ====================================================================

    Subscribed Interests
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    General Announcements
    --------------------------------------------------------------------



    New Medicare Requirements Take Effect for Suppliers of Medical Equipment and Supplies

    New Standards Prevent Fraud and Promote Quality Care
    CMS issued a final reminder about new requirements for most suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) to meet new quality standards by October 1 and obtain a surety bond by October 2 as required under Federal law. These new supplier enrollment requirements will help to prevent fraud in Medicare and ensure that people with Medicare get high-quality medical items and services from qualified suppliers.
    Revised October 2009 ASP File Now Available

    CMS has posted the revised October 2009 Average Sales Price (ASP) and Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) pricing files, which are available for download at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/McrPartBDrugAvgSalesPrice/01a1_2009aspfiles.asp.
    New Form for DME RAC Overpayment Redeterminations

    In order to improve our customer service for suppliers requesting a review of a Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) overpayment, NAS has created a new DME RAC Overpayment Redetermination Form. NAS encourages suppliers to complete the new form and mail it to the address below with a copy of the overpayment letter.
    Glucose Monitor and Testing Supplies Workshop

    Attention suppliers of glucose monitors and testing supplies! Join us for a 60-minute presentation on the Glucose Monitor Local Coverage Determination and Policy Article. This workshop will outline coverage and payment rules and emphasize documentation requirements. You will also receive instruction on the spanning of dates requirement as well as the appropriate modifiers to use when billing claims.
    Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage Workshop

    Do you have questions about when to use an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN)? Join us for a 75-minute workshop as we discuss the proper use of an ABN and give step-by-step instructions on completing the ABN.
    Other Topics
    --------------------------------------------------------------------


    Electronic Data Interchange

    Update to MREP
    New CEDI NCPDP Front-End Manual Now Available
    Update to CEDI Front End Editing for Ordering/Referring Providers
    Express Plus Transitioning to PC-ACE Pro32
    CEDI Supplier/Provider Authorized Signatures
    ====================================================================

    Why is CERT Important?
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    What's New
    ----------
    View a complete listing of the most recent web site updates: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/dme/news/updates.html

    Supplier Contact Center Closures
    --------------------------------
        November 20, 2009, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT for CMS-approved training (Supplier Contact Center only)

    Workshops
    ---------
    Tell NAS where, how, and what topics you want workshops on: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=HtqIIW7uv6fE52pDD9bb3w_3d_3d

    Medicare Partners
    -----------------------------
    CBIC: Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (Competitive Bidding): http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/palmetto/cbic.nsf/DocsCat/Home

    CEDI: Common Electronic Data Interchange (Electronic Billing): http://www.ngscedi.com/

    CERT: Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (Claim Payment Review): http://www.certcdc.com/certproviderportal/pages/

    NSC: National Supplier Clearinghouse (Supplier Enrollment): http://www.palmettogba.com/nsc

    PDAC: Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (HCPCS Coding Assistance): https://www.dmepdac.com/

    QIC: Qualified Independent Contractor (Reconsiderations): http://www.rivertrustsolutions.com/

    RAC: Recovery Audit Contractor (Claim Processing Review): http://www.healthdatainsights.com/

    To edit your e-mail preferences or unsubscribe, go to
    To view the NoridianMedicare.com Privacy Policy, go to
    ====================================================================
    (c) Noridian Administrative Services, LLC
    901 40th Street South, Suite 1, Fargo ND 58103-2146
    Phone 1-866-243-7272
    DME MAC Jurisdiction D States: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, American Samoa, Guam, N. Mariana Islands
    www.noridianmedicare.com

    Posted by at
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

    About this Blog

    This blog shows most if not all of the announcements sent via the various email Mailservers.