http://www.mailbucket.org MailBucket http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6317935.html =01 PR-96 Denials for Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes In the 4th= quarter of 2007, the National Government Services, Jurisdiction B Durable= Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) Appeals unit= received an increase in the number of redetermination requests for= therapeutic shoe claims originally denied with ANSI code PR-96 (Non-covered= charge.) This specific denial for therapeutic shoes often indicates that= the supplier filed the claim without the required KX modifier. Modifier KX= is required on claims for therapeutic shoes when the supplier has secured= the appropriate documentation within their files as outlined within the= documentation section of the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for= Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes. Close review of the= redetermination requests received for therapeutic shoes during the 4th= quarter of 2007 reveal a 59.0% reversal rate. In most cases, suppliers are= requesting a redetermination due to the omission of the KX modifier. In= cases where claims for therapeutic shoes are submitted without the KX= modifier in error and the claim is denied as a non covered charge (PR-96),= suppliers are encouraged to resubmit the claim appending the appropriate KX= modifier rather than requesting an appeal. In addition, to avoid multiple= redetermination/reopening request and the cost to resubmit a claim,= suppliers should thoroughly review the Documentation section of the LCD for= Therapeutic Shoes for People with Diabetes to determine whether modifier KX= is required on the claim. Suppliers are also encouraged to review their= claim(s) prior to submission to the DME MACs to ensure that the HCPCS and= all applicable modifiers are appended to the claim correctly. The local= coverage determinations can be located on the National Government Services= Web site at: = http://www.ngsmedicare.com/NGSMedicare/DMEMAC/Coverage/LCD/IndexLCDDMEMAC.a= spx =01For all questions relating to the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment= Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program,= suppliers should contact the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor= (CBIC) at:http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/cbic/cbic.nsf/(pages)/home CMS= has also announced the first 10 metropolitan areas in which competition= willoccur, as well as the first items to be competitively bid. For= additional information visit the CMS Web site at: = http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS/ =01 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.=01 To unsubscribe/change= profile: click here. =01Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 16:15:52 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6317935.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6317927.html =01=01 The NPI is here. The NPI is now. Are you using it? Important Information= for Medicare FFS Providers Additional Guidance and Clarification for= Identifying Secondary Providers in Medicare ClaimsIn accordance with the= NPI final rule, when an identifier is reported on a paper or electronically= submitted claim for ordering/referring= /attending/operating/supervising/purchased service/other/service facility= provider (in the x12N 837 claims transactions) or for prescriber (in the= NCPDP 5.1 retail drug claim transaction), that identifier must be an NPI. = For Medicare purposes, this requirement is effective May 23, 2008. If the= entity to be identified as the= ordering/referring/attending/operating/supervising/purchased= service/other/service facility provider or prescriber does not furnish an= NPI at the time of the order/referral/purchase or time of service, the= billing provider must attempt to obtain that NPI in order to use it in the= claim. The billing provider may use the NPI Registry or may need to= contact the ordering/referring/ attending/operating/supervising/purchased= service/other/service facility or presciber in order to obtain the NPI.= While the Implementation guides for the X12N claims transactions permit the= reporting of the Social Security Number (SSN) for some secondary providers= if there is no NPI, we do not believe the billing provider will be= successful in the obtaining the SSN. = = =B7 If unable to obtain the NPI of the entity to= be identified in the service facility location loop, no identifier should= be reported in that loop. =B7 If unable to obtain the NPI of the= ordering/referring/attending/operating/supervising/purchased service/other= or prescriber, the billing provider (in the X12N 837 transactions) or the= service provider (in the NCPDP 5.1 transaction) shall use its own NPI to= identify those secondary providers. Medicare will not pay these claims if= these secondary providers are not identified by NPIs. CMS will Host NPI= National Roundtable Q&A Session on May 19, 2008CMS will host a national NPI= Roundtable Q&A session to address questions from the Medicare provider= community prior to May 23rd. This Roundtable will be on May 19th from= 2-3:30PM EDT. Questions will not be collected during the registration= process for this call. There will be no presentations during this call; we= will open the lines to take questions following a brief introduction. For= registration details, visit= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/listserv_wording_5-= 19-08_call.pdf on the CMS website. REMINDER: CMS will Host NPI National= Roundtable on May 14, 2008Registration is still open for the Roundtable to= be held on May 14th from 2-3:30PM EDT. Providers will be able to submit= questions through the online registration system at the time of sign up for= this call. Similar to the most recent NPI Roundtable, Subject Matter= Experts will create presentations based on the questions submitted. For= registration details, visit= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/listserv_wording_5-= 14-08_call.pdf on the CMS website. Need More Information?Still not sure= what an NPI is and how you can get it, share it and use it? As always,= more information and education on the NPI can be found through the CMS NPI= page www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand on the CMS website. Providers= can apply for an NPI online at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov or can call the= NPI enumerator to request a paper application at 1-800-465-3203. Having= trouble viewing any of the URLs in this message? If so, try to cut and= paste any URL in this message into your web browser to view the intended= information. Note: All current and past CMS NPI communications are= available by clicking "CMS Communications" in the left column of the= www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand CMS webpage. =01 Remember! National Government Services' EDI 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. =01 To unsubscribe/change profile: click here. =01Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 16:15:41 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6317927.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6317923.html NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe For Immediate Release May 09, 2008 Your Latest DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Update! (CMS Message 2008-05-09) CMS NPI Roundtable: Medicare Implementation Q&A Session (CMS Message 2008-05-09) Clarification for Identifying Secondary Providers in Medicare Claims & More= NPI Roundtable Information (CMS Message 2008-05-09) =01 Your Latest DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Update! (CMS Message= 2008-05-09)Reminder: CMS to Host National Provider Education Call on the= DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program - May 13, 2008CMS to Host National= Education Call on May 13th, 2008 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national= education conference call to address the implementation of the new Medicare= Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS)= Competitive Bidding program scheduled to begin on July 1, 2008. This call= is being conducted for Medicare fee-for-service DMEPOS suppliers,= physicians, and other providers - all of which may be affected by the= program. The call will give a general overview of the new program and= address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the= program is implemented. A presentation will be made by the Competitive= Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) and CMS Subject Matter Experts= will be available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation will be= posted on the CMS Website prior to the call.Conference call details: Date: May 13, 2008 Conference Title: Overview of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Time: 12:30-2:00 p.m. EDT In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call.= It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group,= only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This= registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation.= If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available= below.Registration will close at 12:30 p.m. EDT on May 12, 2008, or when= available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be= sure to register prior to this time.To register for the call participants= need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/051308 Fill in all required data. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box. Click "Register". You will be taken to the "Thank you for registering" page and will receive a= confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note:Please print and save this= page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you= do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail= filter as they may have gotten caught in that. For those of you who will be unable to attend, a replay option will be= available shortly following the end of the call. This replay will be= accessible from 2:30 p.m. EDT 5/13/2008 until 11:59 p.m. EDT 5/17/2008. The= call in data for the replay is (800) 642-1687 and the passcode is= 45744159.CMS recommends the review of three MLN Matters articles prior to= the call. There is a substantial amount of program information and how it= will impact DMEPOS suppliers, physicians and other providers.These Special= Edition MLN Matters articles are:MLN Matters Special Edition Article #= SE0805 entitled ~ "Overview of New Medicare Competitive Bidding Program for= Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) -= The first in a series of articles on the implementation of this program." ~= This article is posted on the CMS Website at= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0805.pdfMLN Matters= Special Edition Article # SE0806 entitled ~ "Durable Medical Equipment,= Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program:= Grandfathering, Repair and Replacement, Mail Order Diabetic Supplies and= Advanced Beneficiary Notices (ABNs) - the second in a series of articles on= the new DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program." ~ This article is posted on= the CMS Website at= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0806.pdfMLN Matters= Special Edition Article # SE0807 entitled ~ "Important Exceptions and= Special Circumstances that Occur Under the Durable Medical Equipment,= Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program -= The third in a series of articles on the new DMEPOS Competitive Bidding= Program." ~ This article is posted on the CMS Website at= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0807.pdf =01 CMS NPI Roundtable: Medicare Implementation Q&A Session (CMS Message= 2008-05-09)Conference call details: Date: May 19, 2008 Conference Title: CMS NPI Roundtable: Medicare Implementation Q&A Session Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m. EDTIn order to receive the call-in information, you= must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are= planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to= rece Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 16:15:33 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6317923.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312108.html =01 MLN Matters Number: SE0814Related Changed Request (CR) #: NARelated CR= Release Date: NAEffective Date: NARelated CR Transmittal #:= NAImplementation Date: NA Provider Authentication by Medicare Provider= Contact Centers To view this MLN Matters article, you may click on the link= below or paste the following into your Internet= browser:http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0814.pdf = This article will also be available on the National Government Services Web= site within two business days. To view this article click here. =01 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.=01 To unsubscribe/change= profile: click here. =01Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:47:56 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312108.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312104.html NAS DME Jurisdiction D E-mail List =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Subscribed Interests -------------------------------------------------------------------- Mobility Devices Documentation Requirements For Power Mobility Devices Advance Determination= of Medicare Coverage The Medical Review Department has noted that some suppliers are not= providing complete information when submitting Advance Determination of= Medicare Coverage (ADMC) requests. It is helpful when all the documentation= as outlined in the Power Mobility Devices' (PMD) Local Coverage= Determination (L23598) and Policy Article (A41127) is submitted with an= ADMC request to prevent a negative determination related to missing= information.   Read the complete update:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=3DEkEpklpVZAkxuwUwgL&tmpl=3Ddme= _viewnews&style=3Dpart_ab_viewnews General Announcements -------------------------------------------------------------------- Do Not Forward NAS places a Do Not Forward (DNF) flag on a supplier's account to protect= the supplier's future Medicare payments after a check or remittance advice= (RA) is returned to NAS as undeliverable by the United States Postal= Service or when an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is declined by the= supplier's bank. Holding payments until the supplier can update their= address and/or bank routing information avoids funds being lost or= misdirected. Read the complete update:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=3DEkEpklpylZWEYuNRtw&tmpl=3Ddme= _viewnews&style=3Dpart_ab_viewnews New PO Box for DME Overpayment Redeterminations In order to improve our customer service for suppliers requesting a review= of an overpayment, NAS has added a new Post Office Box for DME Overpayment= Redeterminations.  Read the complete update:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=3DEkEpklplAEtqrtDcXB&tmpl=3Ddme= _viewnews&style=3Dpart_ab_viewnews Paper Claim Submission for NPI as of May 23, 2008 As of May 23, 2008, only the NPI will be allowed for all HIPAA standard= transactions. Read the complete update:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=3DEkEpklpAAZPYaTLdtF&tmpl=3Ddme= _viewnews&style=3Dpart_ab_viewnews Ask the Contractor Teleconference for Small Suppliers on May 14, 2008 On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 3:00 pm CT NAS will conduct the DME Ask the= Contractor Teleconference to assist small suppliers. CMS has defined a= small supplier as a supplier with ten or fewer full time equivalent= employees. During this teleconference, knowledgeable NAS staff representing= a variety of functions will be available to answer your questions. If we= cannot answer your question during the teleconference, we will research the= issue and then call you with the answer. Read the complete update:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=3DEkEpklEVEkNvniMsjk&tmpl=3Ddme= _viewnews&style=3Dpart_ab_viewnews Other Topics -------------------------------------------------------------------- Electronic Data Interchange CEDI Outreach and Education for DME Trading Partners Read the complete update:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?id=3DEkEpklplEVNPqKtXRE&tmpl=3Ddme= _viewnews&style=3Dpart_ab_viewnews EDI Edits for May 23 NPI Requirement Read the complete update:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/lsredir.php?pdf=3D/provider/updates/docs/EDI= Edits for May 23 NPI Requirement1.pdf =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Appeals Tab Added to Homepage ----------------------------- Suppliers can now access Appeals information directly from the DME= homepage. https://www.noridianmedicare.com/dme/appeals/ What's New ---------- View a complete listing of the most recent web site updates:= https://www.noridianmedicare.com/dme/news/updates.html NPI Information --------------- Effective May 23, 2008, only NPI will be accepted for all primary and= secondary provider fields. https://www.noridianmedicare.com/dme/enroll/npi.html Supplier Contact Center Closures -------------------------------- There are no scheduled closures at this time To edit your e-mail preferences or unsubscribe, go to = https://naslists.noridian.com/list/login.html?mContainer=3D2&mOwner=3DG30392x2n= 39372t36&mAddress=3DSUPPORT%40DMEFREE.COM To view the NoridianMedicare.com Privacy Policy, go to https://www.noridianmedicare.com/privacy.html =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D (c) 2008 Noridian Administrative Ser Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:47:41 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312104.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312099.html The NPI is here. The NPI is now. Are you using it? Important Information for Medicare FFS Providers Additional Guidance and Clarification for Identifying Secondary Providers in= Medicare Claims In accordance with the NPI final rule, when an identifier is reported on a= paper or electronically submitted claim for ordering/referring= /attending/operating/supervising/purchased service/other/service facility= provider (in the x12N 837 claims transactions) or for prescriber (in the= NCPDP 5.1 retail drug claim transaction), that identifier must be an NPI. = For Medicare purposes, this requirement is effective May 23, 2008. If the= entity to be identified as the= ordering/referring/attending/operating/supervising/purchased= service/other/service facility provider or prescriber does not furnish an= NPI at the time of the order/referral/purchase or time of service, the= billing provider must attempt to obtain that NPI in order to use it in the= claim. The billing provider may use the NPI Registry or may need to= contact the ordering/referring/ attending/operating/supervising/purchased= service/other/service facility or presciber in order to obtain the NPI.= While the Implementation guides for the X12N claims transactions permit the= reporting of the Social Security Number (SSN) for some secondary providers= if there is no NPI, we do not believe the billing provider will be= successful in the obtaining the SSN. = =B7 If unable to obtain the NPI of the entity to be identified in the= service facility location loop, no identifier should be reported in that= loop. =B7 If unable to obtain the NPI of the= ordering/referring/attending/operating/supervising/purchased service/other= or prescriber, the billing provider (in the X12N 837 transactions) or the= service provider (in the NCPDP 5.1 transaction) shall use its own NPI to= identify those secondary providers. Medicare will not pay these claims if= these secondary providers are not identified by NPIs. CMS will Host NPI National Roundtable Q&A Session on May 19, 2008 CMS will host a national NPI Roundtable Q&A session to address questions= from the Medicare provider community prior to May 23rd. This Roundtable= will be on May 19th from 2-3:30PM EDT. Questions will not be collected= during the registration process for this call. There will be no= presentations during this call; we will open the lines to take questions= following a brief introduction. For registration details, visit= (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/listserv_wording_5= -19-08_call.pdf) on the CMS website. REMINDER: CMS will Host NPI National Roundtable on May 14, 2008 Registration is still open for the Roundtable to be held on May 14th from= 2-3:30PM EDT. Providers will be able to submit questions through the= online registration system at the time of sign up for this call. Similar= to the most recent NPI Roundtable, Subject Matter Experts will create= presentations based on the questions submitted. For registration details,= visit= (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/listserv_wording_5= -14-08_call.pdf) the CMS website. Need More Information? Still not sure what an NPI is and how you can get it, share it and use it? = As always, more information and education on the NPI can be found through= the CMS NPI page ( www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand) on the CMS= website. Providers can apply for an NPI online at (= https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov) or can call the NPI enumerator to request a= paper application at 1-800-465-3203. Having trouble viewing any of the= URLs in this message? If so, try to cut and paste any URL in this message= into your web browser to view the intended information. Note: All current and past CMS NPI communications are available by clicking= "CMS Communications" in the left column of the= www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand CMS webpage. _________________________________________________________________________ If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy= and paste the URL in your Internet browser. If you received this message= in error, please go to (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/mailinglists/) to= unsubscribe to 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. ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:47:27 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312099.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312092.html Conference call details: Date: May 19, 2008 Conference Title: CMS NPI Roundtable: Medicare Implementation Q&A= Session Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m. EDT In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call.= It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group,= only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This= registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation.= If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available below. Registration will close at 2:00 p.m. EDT on May 18, 2008, or when available= space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to= register prior to this time. To register for the call participants need to go to:= (http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/051908) Fill in all required data. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box. Click "Register". You will be taken to the "Thank you for registering" page and will receive a= confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note:Please print and save this= page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you= do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail= filter as they may have gotten caught in that. For those of you who will be unable to attend, a replay option will be= available shortly following the end of the call. This replay will be= accessible from 3:30 p.m. EDT 5/19/2008 until 11:59 p.m. EDT 5/24/2008. = The call in data for the replay is (800) 642-1687 and the passcode is= 46175614. _________________________________________________________________________ If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy= and paste the URL in your Internet browser. If you received this message= in error, please go to (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/mailinglists/) to= unsubscribe to 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. ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:47:04 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312092.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312085.html =01 DME MAC Jurisdiction C News May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month NOTE: If you are experiencing difficulty accessing this hyperlink, you may= choose to copy and paste the address below into your browser window: http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2008/0508/cope7559.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. ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:46:40 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312085.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312083.html Reminder: CMS to Host National Provider Education Call on the DMEPOS= Competitive Bidding Program - May 13, 2008 CMS to Host National Education Call on May 13th, 2008 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national= education conference call to address the implementation of the new Medicare= Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS)= Competitive Bidding program scheduled to begin on July 1, 2008. This call= is being conducted for Medicare fee-for-service DMEPOS suppliers,= physicians, and other providers - all of which may be affected by the= program. The call will give a general overview of the new program and= address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the= program is implemented. A presentation will be made by the Competitive= Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) and CMS Subject Matter Experts= will be available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation will be= posted on the CMS Website prior to the call. Conference call details: Date: May 13, 2008 Conference Title: Overview of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding= Program Time: 12:30-2:00 p.m. EDT In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call.= It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group,= only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This= registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation.= If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available below. Registration will close at 12:30 p.m. EDT on May 12, 2008, or when available= space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to= register prior to this time. 1. To register for the call participants need to go to:= http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/051308 2. Fill in all required data. 3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box. 4. Click "Register". 5. You will be taken to the "Thank you for registering" page and will= receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and= save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation= emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your= spam/junk mail filter as they may have gotten caught in that. For those of you who will be unable to attend, a replay option will be= available shortly following the end of the call. This replay will be= accessible from 2:30 p.m. EDT 5/13/2008 until 11:59 p.m. EDT 5/17/2008. = The call in data for the replay is (800) 642-1687 and the passcode is= 45744159. CMS recommends the review of three MLN Matters articles prior to the call.= There is a substantial amount of program information and how it will impact= DMEPOS suppliers, physicians and other providers. These Special Edition MLN Matters articles are: MLN Matters Special Edition # SE0805 entitled ~ "Overview of New Medicare= Competitive Bidding Program for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics,= Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) - The first in a series of articles on the= implementation of this program." ~ This article is posted on the CMS= Website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0805.pdf= . MLN Matters Special Edition Article # SE0806 entitled ~ "Durable Medical= Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive= Bidding Program: Grandfathering, Repair and Replacement, Mail Order= Diabetic Supplies and Advanced Beneficiary Notices (ABNs) - the second in a= series of articles on the new DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program." ~ This= article is posted on the CMS Website at= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0806.pdf . MLN Matters Special Edition Article # SE0807 entitled ~ "Important= Exceptions and Special Circumstances that Occur Under the Durable Medical= Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive= Bidding Program:--The third in a series of articles on the new DMEPOS= Competitive Bidding Program." ~ This Article is posted on the CMS Website at= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0807.pdf . _________________________________________________________________________ If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy= and paste the URL in your Internet browser. If you received this message= in error, please go to (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/mailinglists/) to= unsubscribe to 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. ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:46:32 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312083.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312082.html NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe For Immediate Release May 07, 2008 Repairs and Replacement for Beneficiary Owned EquipmentRepairs To repair means to fix or mend and to put the equipment back in good= condition after damage or wear. Repairs to medically necessary beneficiary= owned equipment may be covered up to the cost of replacement when necessary= to make the equipment serviceable. If the expense for repairs exceeds the= estimated expense of purchasing or renting another item of equipment for= the remaining period of medical need, no payment can be made for the amount= of the excess. Since renters of equipment recover from the rental charge= the expenses they incur in maintaining the equipment they rent out,= separately itemized charges for repair of rented equipment are not covered.= This includes items in the frequent and substantial servicing, oxygen= equipment, capped rental and inexpensive or routinely purchased payment= categories during a rental period. A new Certificate of Medical Necessity= (CMN) and/or physician's order is not needed for repairs to an= item.Replacements Replacement refers to the provision of an identical or nearly identical= item. Situations involving the provision of a different item because of a= change in medical condition are not addressed in this document. Replacement= of DME may occur in cases of loss, irreparable damage or irreparable= wear.Irreparable Damage Irreparable damage is considered to mean that the damage has been caused by= a specific accident (such as a wheelchair falling from a vehicle) or= natural disaster (such as a fire or flood). In cases where loss or= irreparable damage has occurred, replacement may be reimbursed. A= physician's order and/or a new CMN is needed to reaffirm the medical= necessity of the item. This rule applies to both beneficiary owned= equipment and capped rental equipment.Irreparable Wear Irreparable wear refers to deterioration sustained from day-to-day usage= over time and a specific event cannot be identified. In cases involving= irreparable wear, the useful lifetime of the equipment, which is 5 years,= is taken into consideration, and in no case can it be less than 5 years. If= the item of equipment has been in continuous use for the equipment's useful= lifetime and irreparable wear is involved, Medicare may cover a new piece= of equipment. A new physician's order and/or a new CMN is needed to= reaffirm the medical necessity of the item. The replacement of a product= before the 5-year life expectancy can only be done if the item is= irreparably damaged, for example by a natural disaster such as fire, flood,= etc. Replacement due to wear and tear before the 5-year lifetime is not= covered.Note:If DME reaches its 5-year life expectancy, is in good working= order, and meets the beneficiary's medical needs, it should not= automatically be replaced.Billing Examples When billing for the replacement of an accessory, there must be specific= information notated in the NTE 2300 segment of the electronic claim in= order for Medicare to consider coverage. This includes all of the following= information:The description of the beneficiary owned base piece of= equipment that the item is being replaced onThe HCPCS code of the base= piece of equipmentThe date of purchase of the base piece of equipmentIt is= necessary for this information to be noted only once in the NTE 2300= segment of the electronic claim.Example: "PT owned PRIDE JAZZY610 K0011 PWC= PUR 41603"If the claim is for replacement items and E1340 (labor) the below= information must also be included in the NTE 2300 segment. This should also= be notated only once on the claim.When billing code E1340, the medical= records should contain detailed descriptions of the repairs made. All other= required supporting medical documentation should be retained in provider= files.Example: "RPRs to PT owned PRIDE JAZZY610 K0011 PWC PUR 41603"In= addition to the above noted examples, each claim line for each replacement= part must include a description of the reason why the item is being= replaced. These details should be notated in the NTE 2400 segment of the= electronic claim.Example: "RPL E0952 BBR" or "RPL arm pad= destroyed"Reminders When using the NTE segments to notate documentation, it is suggested to= submit only the required pertinent information as noted in the above= examples. Providers should not include any wording that does not relate to= the items and services being billed. The note segments are limited to 80= characters at the claim level (2300 segment) and 80 characters for each= service line level (2400 segment). It is encouraged to utilize the DME MAC= A "suggested list" of abbreviations at:= http://www.medicarenhic.com/dme/ediabbrev.shtmlThis list was created for= suppliers to use in order to maximize the effectiveness of the limited= space in both note segments.If a claim that requires additional information= is su Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:46:13 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312082.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312080.html =01=01 NPI Bypass Logic Claim Rejections Effective October 29, 2007, the= Jurisdiction B DME MAC lifted the NPI bypass logic and began validating= NPI/NSC pairs submitted against the crosswalk file. As a result, paper= claims that included non-matching NPIs and legacy identifiers were= suspended in the claims processing system. Those claims were released and= many rejected with a CO-16, N280 remark and reason code. The denial message= read, "Missing/incomplete/invalid pay-to provider primary identifier."= National Government Services is now returning those claims, with a letter= to the supplier stating there is no NPI/NSC match. Electronic claims are= rejecting on the front end due to the lifting of the crosswalk when the NPI= cannot be successfully matched to the legacy identifier. Issue 1:Some= suppliers completed their NPI application listing an Individual (or, type= 1) entity code. However, the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) has the= supplier setup as an Organization (or, type 2) entity code. Most DMEPOS= suppliers and pharmacies are considered to be an entity type 2, unless they= are a sole proprietor/sole proprietorship. Sole proprietorships obtain= NPIs as Entity type 1 (Individuals). For clarification on choosing an= entity type, refer to page 5 of the NPI application at:= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms/downloads/CMS10114.pdf CMS 10114.pdf.Keep= in mind that a sole proprietorship can virtually be any type of= provider/supplier. CMS posted two FAQs concerning sole proprietor and NPIs= (FAQ #6594 and #5967) and issued two NPI Fact Sheets in July 2007 (one "For= Health Care Providers Who are Sole Proprietors" and one "For Health Care= Providers Who are Organizations." These documents are available from the= CMS NPI website (www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/). Suppliers, who= chose the incorrect Entity type code when they applied for their NPIs, must= complete new NPI applications with the National Plan and Provider= Enumeration System (NPPES). The NPI associated with the incorrect Entity= type code should be deactivated. (It is not possible for a supplier or= other health care provider to simply change the Entity type code associated= with an NPI.) NOTE: The Jurisdiction B DME MAC will be notified by the= Medicare NPI Crosswalk of the change in approximately 7 working days. The= supplier must resubmit the electronic claim(s) using the new NPI. Issue= 2:The information listed in NPPES for some suppliers is not accurate:Verify= that all the information is accurate including the name, address, and= Employer Identification Number (EIN)Verify that your PTAN (your NSC Number)= is listed in the Medicare NSC field in the "Other Provider Identifier"= record in NPPES.Verify that the "Entity Type" is correct. An organization= has an Entity type 2; an Individual, to include a sole proprietorship, has= an Entity type 1.NOTE: If the "Entity Type" is not correct, the supplier= will need to obtain an NPI for the correct Entity type and deactivate the= existing NPI.Suppliers can update their information via NPPES at:= https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=3Dstatic.npistart or= by contacting the Enumerator toll free at 1-800-465-3203 to obtain a paper= NPI Application/Update form. If a supplier uses a clearinghouse, billing= service or other third party to submit, electronic claims, the supplier= should contact the third party to determine if there have been any= informational messages or warnings on remittances or error notices. If= claims are rejecting, it is likely that NPPES and/or the Medicare= enrollment record at the National Supplier Clearing House needs to be= updated. Issue 3:Some suppliers are reporting the referring/ordering= physician NPI and legacy identifiers in box 33a (NPI) and 33b (legacy). Do= not report the referring/ordering physician information in boxes 33a and= 33b. Your supplier NPI is reported in 33a and your supplier NSC identifier= is reported in 33b. Suppliers report the ordering/referring physician NPI= in box 17b and the referring physician's legacy identifier in box 17a= only.=01 Remember! National Government Services' EDI 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. =01 To unsubscribe/change profile: click here. =01Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:45:55 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312080.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312078.html    National Government Services,= the Jurisdiction B Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative= Contractor (DME MAC), conducted two Webinars on May 5,= 2008 (10:00am and 2:00pm). These Webinars provided an= overview of the National Government Services new Web site. To continue= to better serve the supplier community, we are requesting feedback from all= attendees who participated in these Webinar training sessions held by the= Jurisdiction B DME MAC.  Please take a minute to complete a brief= survey relating to the Webinar held on May 5, 2008.  We= would like for everyone to complete this survey by May 13, 2008= and fax it back to 317-841-4435.  To access the survey,= please click= here.  We= appreciate and value your feedback!= For all questions= relating to the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics,= and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program, suppliers should contact= the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) at:http://w= ww.dmecompetitivebid.com/cbic/cbic.nsf/(pages)/home CMS has also= announced the first 10 metropolitan areas in which competition willoccur,= as well as the first items to be competitively bid. For additional= information visit the CMS Web site at:  http://www.cms.hhs.g= ov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS/  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 ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:45:47 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312078.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312077.html =01 DME MAC Jurisdiction C News Provider Authentication by Medicare Provider Contact Centers NOTE: If you are experiencing difficulty accessing this hyperlink, you may= choose to copy and paste the address below into your browser window: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0814.pdf 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. ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:46:19 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312077.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312075.html =01 Avoid Delays in Refunds! National Government Services, Inc. has seen a rise in refunds sent to the= incorrect address. In order for refunds to be posted in a timely manner, it= is imperative that refunds are sent to the correct address. National Government Services processes claims for physicians with practices= in the states of Indiana and Kentucky along with durable medical equipment,= prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) claims for suppliers in the= states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and= Wisconsin. Jurisdiction B DME MAC Claims Part B Physician Service Claims for the state of Indiana Part B Physician Service Claims for the state of Kentucky If Medicare Secondary Payer involvement, please send refunds to: National Government Services Lockbox# 660065 Indianapolis, IN = 46266-0065 National Government Services Lockbox# 660064 Indianapolis, IN = 46266-0064 National Government Services Lockbox# 660061 Indianapolis, IN= 46266-0061 For all other refunds, please send to: National Government Services Lockbox# 660078 Indianapolis, IN = 46266-0078 National Government Services Lockbox# 660066 Indianapolis, IN = 46266-0066 National Government Services Lockbox# 660077 Indianapolis, IN= 46266-0077 If you are unclear on where to submit a refund, it is recommended to= reference the remittance notice of when payment was received or to contact= the appropriate Customer Care Contact Center. Jurisdiction B DME MAC 1-866-590-6727 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Indiana Physicians 1-866-276-8129 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Kentucky Physicians 1-866-276-9558 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. *All hours are Monday thru Friday Eastern Standard time =01 For all questions relating to the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment= Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program,= suppliers should contact the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor= (CBIC) at: http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/cbic/cbic.nsf/(pages)/home CMS has also announced the first 10 metropolitan areas in which competition= willoccur, as well as the first items to be competitively bid. For= additional information visit the CMS Web site at: = http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS/ =01 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.=01 To unsubscribe/change profile: click here.=01Email list management= powered by http://MailerMailer.com ]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:46:06 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312075.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312074.html =01=01 Attention All DMEMAC Electronic Submitters and Vendors Helpful Tips for= Contacting CEDIDuring the Transition Due to the transition of Jurisdiction= A and D Trading Partners/Submitters on May 1, 2008, CEDI is experiencing an= increase in connections to the CEDI Gateway and support calls into the CEDI= Help Desk. CEDI is anticipating that the upcoming transition of= Jurisdiction B and C Trading Partners/Submitters on June 1, 2008 will have= a similar impact. Please use the tips below to expedite all CEDI requests.= Tips When Contacting the CEDI Help Desk:CEDI is aware of the increased= hold times on the CEDI Help Desk telephone line and is working diligently= to assist everyone in an efficient manner. Use the following tips to avoid= long wait times on the CEDI Help Desk telephone line. REMEMBER, PERSONAL= HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) DATA CANNOT BE SUBMITTED VIA E-MAIL. 1. Contact= the CEDI Help Desk via E-mail at: ngs.cedihelpdesk@wellpoint.com for the= following: =B7 PCAce and Express Plus software users to obtain the= initial password and phone number to login to CEDIPCAce and Express Plus= software users with CEDI questions Trading Partners currently testing= with CEDI Questions regarding NPI rejections on your RPT reports (for= example, DMEMAC Front Edits 20322 and 20324)Trading Partners who are= experiencing multiple issues or who have multiple concerns or= questionsPlease do not contact the CEDI Help Desk by both E-mail and= telephone regarding the same issue(s)/question(s). 2. Contact the CEDI= Enrollment Team via E-mail at ngs.edi.setups@anthem.com to check on the= status of the following:Request for a new Trading Partner IDRequest to= process an EDI Enrollment Form agreementRequest to receive ERARequest to= add a supplier's NSC and NPI to a Trading Partner/Submitter ID NOTE: = Electronic Trading Partners should allow 2 business days for a response= from the CEDI Help Desk and/or Enrollment Team via E-mail. 3. Contact= your software vendor or clearinghouse for the following:Determining if your= vendor has completed testing with CEDIQuestions regarding your vendor's= software productObtaining your initial password and telephone number to= connect to CEDIInstructions on how to connect and exchange transaction with= CEDIQuestions regarding rejections on your CEDI TRN and/or 997 report = Tips When Connecting to the CEDI Gateway:CEDI is experiencing problems with= screens freezing when trading partners are trying to connect. CEDI is= currently working on this issue and some improvements have been made. CEDI= will continue to monitor this issue until it is completely resolved. = Electronic Trading Partners using dial up services (asynchronous or FTP)= who are currently experiencing busy signals when trying to connect with= CEDI to send or receive electronic transactions may consider submitting= during off-peak hours. The CEDI front end off-peak hours are 8:00 p.m. -= 6:00 a.m. (ET). Suppliers can also consider using a Network Service= Vendor to bypass busy signals when exchanging transactions with CEDI. = Network Service Vendors allow electronic transactions to come in through a= higher speed connection. The current network service vendors are:ICS= SoftwareWeb site: www.icssoftware.net/medxpress or = medxpress@icssoftware.netCustomer Service: (516) 208-6475IVANS Web site: www.ivans.com Customer Service: 800-548-2675VisionShare Web site: www.visionshareinc.com Customer Service: 612-460-4327 CEDI Gateway Changes and EnhancementsTo= further improve services to our Trading Partners, CEDI is currently= developing changes and enhancements. These are scheduled to be implemented= on Sunday, May 11, 2008 and will be effective on Monday May 12, 2008. CEDI= will send a notification via the CEDI listserv when these are in= production. These changes and enhancements include the following: To speed= up the transfer of outbound files to electronic trading partners, CEDI has= developed a process to zip these outbound files. Follow the instructions= below to submit a request for CEDI to return your outbound files in a= zipped format.To ensure that Front End Edit Reports more closely resemble= those issued by the DME MACs, the CEDI is working with their vendor to= replace the colon ( : ) that the CEDI removed before returning Front End= Reports to the Trading Partners. Electronic trading partners can sign up= for the CEDI listserv at www.ngscedi.com. How to Request Zipped Outbound= FilesNOTE: The default setup for all Trading Partners/Submitters is for= their outbound files to be returned unzipped. To request outbound files be= delivered in a zipped format, submit an e-mail request to the CEDI= Enrollment Team as follows: The E-mail address is: = www.visionshareinc.comThe E-mail subject must be: CEDI Request for Zipped= FilesInclude the following informationTrading Partner/Submitter ID:Tradin Long message truncated by MailBucket.]]> Fri, 9 May 2008 09:45:37 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6312074.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276654.html   DME MAC Jurisdiction C= News Helpful Tips for Contacting CEDI During the= Transition NOTE: If you are experiencing= difficulty accessing this hyperlink, you may choose to copy and paste the= address below into your browser window:http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2008/0508/cope75= 52.html NEW!Onli= ne Claim Status & Eligibility Inquiry resources NOTE: If you are experiencing= difficulty accessing this hyperlink, you may choose to copy and paste the= address below into your browser window:http= ://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/claims/csi/index.html Thank you for visiting= www.cignagovernmentservices.com!Edit MembershipCancel MembershipContact= 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. ]]> Wed, 7 May 2008 09:51:26 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276654.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276645.html =01 May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month In conjunction= with National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, the Centers for= Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds health care professionals that= Medicare provides coverage of bonemass measurements for beneficiaries at= clinical risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease= characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue,= leading to bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures of the hip,= spine, and wrist. Both men and women are affected by osteoporosis. One out= of every two women and one in four men over 50 will have an= osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. The good news is that= osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated. Medicare's= bone mass measurement benefit can aid in the early detection of= osteoporosis before fractures occur, provide a precursor to future= fractures, and determine rate of bone loss. As a health care professional,= you play a crucial role in helping your patients maintain strong, healthy= bones throughout their life. CMS needs your help to ensure that all= eligible Medicare beneficiaries take full advantage of the bone mass= measurement benefit. Please join with CMS in spreading the word about= prevention and early detection of osteoporosis and the bone mass= measurement benefit covered by Medicare. How Can I Help?National= Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month provides an excellent= opportunity for health care professionals to help increase awareness,= knowledge and understanding of prevention, early detection, and treatment= of osteoporosis as well as strategies for managing the disease. You can= help in a number of ways: Stay abreast of the latest clinical guidelines= for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment;Become familiar with Medicare's= coverage of bone mass measurements;Talk with your patients about their= risks factors for osteoporosis, prevention measures they can take to reduce= their risk factors, and the importance of utilizing bone mass measurements;= andEncourage eligible Medicare patients to take full advantage of= Medicare's bone mass measurement benefit.Together we can help Medicare= beneficiaries reduce bone fractures and maintain strong healthy bones. For= More InformationFor more information about Medicare's coverage of bone mass= measurements, please visit the CMS website= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/BoneMassMeasurement/ The Medicare Learning Network= (MLN) Bone Mass Measurements Brochure - this tri-fold brochure provides= fee-for-services health care professionals and their staff with an overview= of Medicare's coverage of bone mass measurements.= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Bone_Mass.pdfTo learn more= about National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, please visit= The National Osteoporosis Foundation website http://www.nof.org/= "Osteoporosis - It's Beatable. It's Treatable." Thank you for your support.= =01For all questions relating to the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment= Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program,= suppliers should contact the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor= (CBIC) at:http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/cbic/cbic.nsf/(pages)/home CMS= has also announced the first 10 metropolitan areas in which competition= willoccur, as well as the first items to be competitively bid. For= additional information visit the CMS Web site at: = http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcqforDMEPOS/ =01 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.=01 To unsubscribe/change= profile: click here. =01Email list management powered by http://MailerMailer.com ]]> Wed, 7 May 2008 09:50:58 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276645.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276641.html In conjunction with National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month,= the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds health care= professionals that Medicare provides coverage of bone mass measurements for= beneficiaries at clinical risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass= and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and= an increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Both men and= women are affected by osteoporosis. One out of every two women and one in= four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their= lifetime. The good news is that osteoporosis is a disease that can be= prevented and treated. Medicare's bone mass measurement benefit can aid in= the early detection of osteoporosis before fractures occur, provide a= precursor to future fractures, and determine rate of bone loss. As a health care professional, you play a crucial role in helping your= patients maintain strong, healthy bones throughout their life. CMS needs= your help to ensure that all eligible Medicare beneficiaries take full= advantage of the bone mass measurement benefit. Please join with CMS in= spreading the word about prevention and early detection of osteoporosis and= the bone mass measurement benefit covered by Medicare. How Can I Help? National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month provides an excellent= opportunity for health care professionals to help increase awareness,= knowledge and understanding of prevention, early detection, and treatment= of osteoporosis as well as strategies for managing the disease. You can= help in a number of ways: 1) Stay abreast of the latest clinical guidelines for prevention, diagnosis,= and treatment; 2) Become familiar with Medicare's coverage of bone mass measurements; 3) Talk with your patients about their risks factors for osteoporosis,= prevention measures they can take to reduce their risk factors, and the= importance of utilizing bone mass measurements; and 4) Encourage eligible Medicare patients to take full advantage of Medicare's= bone mass measurement benefit. Together we can help Medicare beneficiaries reduce bone fractures and= maintain strong healthy bones. For More Information =B7 For more information about Medicare's coverage of bone mass= measurements, please visit the CMS website= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/BoneMassMeasurement/ =B7 The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Bone Mass Measurements Brochure= - this tri-fold brochure provides fee-for-services health care= professionals and their staff with an overview of Medicare's coverage of= bone mass measurements.= http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Bone_Mass.pdf =B7 To learn more about National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention= Month, please visit The National Osteoporosis Foundation website= http://www.nof.org/ "Osteoporosis - It's Beatable. It's Treatable." Thank you for your support. ________________________________________________________________________ Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please= copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser. If you have problems= accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL in= your Internet browser. If you received this message in error, please go to= (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/mailinglists/) to unsubscribe to 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. ]]> Wed, 7 May 2008 09:50:37 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276641.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276635.html NHIC, Corp.DME MAC A ListServe For Immediate Release May 06, 2008 Attention - DME MAC A Spring In-Person Seminar Schedule Released - Register= NowThe DME MAC Jurisdiction A Outreach & Education Team is pleased to= announce the schedule for our Spring 2008 in-person educational= seminars.These FREE seminars are being offered over a two-day period with= the option to attend any session(s) of your choice. You are required to be= registered for each session you plan to attend and may not be registered= for more than one concurrent session.These sessions are designed for new= billing staff as well as individuals seeking refresher training. Changes= occur rapidly with the Medicare program and this is a great way to enhance= your knowledge by receiving information on the most recent medical policy= revisions as well as changes that may be occurring overall with the DME MAC= program. Sessions will be based on the following topics:DME MAC Billing= EssentialsWhat's New with the Medicare Program - Keeping Up with DME MAC= ChangesCPAP and Respiratory Assist Devices (RAD)NebulizersNon-Powered= Mobility Assistive Equipment (MAE) - Canes, Crutches, Walkers, and Manual= WheelchairsPower Mobility Devices (PMDs)Note:All attendees must be= registered in advance. For session information and registration details,= please visit the Events section of DME MAC A Web site at : http://www.medicarenhic.com/dme/dmerc_seminars.shtml#InPerson Forward email =01This email was sent to support@dmefree.com, by= nhic-dmemacwebmaster@eds.comUpdate Profile/Email Address | Instant removal= with SafeUnsubscribe | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by=01 NHIC | 75 Sgt William Terry Drive | Hingham | MA | 02043=01 ]]> Wed, 7 May 2008 09:51:16 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276635.html http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276630.html   HME Digital Edition Your May issue of the HME News= Digital Edition, sponsored by Fastrack, is available now. Every month, we produce a= digital edition that replicates the print issue. Inside, you=92ll= find: Links from the= front page to articles of interest Selected links to advertisers=92 Web sites= through their ads Keyword and open text search throughout= the entire edition Zoom in and out for easy viewing and= reading Access digital content without downloading= a PDF file Print and/or email any page with ease= Click on this link to access this fully interactive newspaper:= http://hmenews.epubxpress.com ----------- ADVERTISEMENT GET IT= FREE*- the new way to switch to the leading software & technology for= HME & IV providers without all the upfront costs!=  Only Fastrack offers the ability to access the software= over the Internet from our servers or bring it in house at anytime. You= never get locked in to paying on-going fees without ever owning the= software! Call Fastrack today at 800-520-2325 www.onlyfastrack.com= ---------------------------- Mike Moran, Editor mmoran@hmenews.com Advertising Contact: Rick Rector, Publisher rrector@hmenews.comHME News 106 Lafayette Street= Yarmouth, ME 04096 This email is sent to subscribers of HME= News, registered users of www.hmenews.com and others who request the= HME Digital Edition Announcement. If you received this e-mail in error or= you no longer wish to receive the HME Digital Edition Announcement, please= Clic= k here to unsubscribe If you would like to apply for a free= subscription to the monthly print publication HME News, please click= on this link: http://www.hmenews.com/= index.php?p=3Dsubscribe =A9United Publications,= Inc. 2008 ]]> Wed, 7 May 2008 09:50:47 -0400 http://www.mailbucket.org/rsscms-6276630.html