Have You Heard? - September 1, 2010
Additional Information for Timely Claims Filing
How to Use NCCI Tools

• Additional information has been issued by CMS regarding timely filing of claims, to be effective on January 1, 2011:
  - CMS info on timely filing of claims
   
• According to CMS, the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) "was implemented to promote correct coding methodologies and to control improper coding leading to inappropriate payment." Read more in their "How To" booklet:
  - NCCI How To Booklet

Have You Heard? - August 18, 2010
Medical Records Retention Guidelines
Fact Sheets on 5010/ICD-10 Transitions

• Recently-issued guidelines on "Medical Records Retention and Media Formats"; click on the link:
  - Medical records retention guidelines
   
• A couple of CMS quick-reference fact sheets on the upcoming 5010/ICD-10 transition:
  - ICD-10 Transition: An Introduction
  - Tips for Medical Practices re ICD-10 and Version 5010

Have You Heard? - August 11, 2010
Medicare Learning Network Courses
WHO Declares End of 2009 H1N1 Pandemic

• The Medicare Learning Network is now offering web-based training courses on coding and billing for Medicare coverage of preventive services. Here are just a few of the topics covered:
  
  - Initial preventive physical exam
  - Diabetes screening tests
  - Supplies and other services for beneficiaries with diabetes
  - Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)
  
  Click on the link below to see the full listing of courses.
  - Medicare Learning Network courses
   
• The World Health Organization yesterday declared the end of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Read the HHS press release:
  - WHO declares end of 2009 H1N1 pandemic

Have You Heard? - July 23, 2010
Red Flags Rule Deadline Delayed

• The deadline for implementation of the FTC's Red Flags Rule has been delayed from the previously scheduled June 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010, because of a lawsuit filed by the American Medical Association and two other groups. Read more:
  - Red Flags Rule deadline delayed

Have You Heard? - June 17, 2010
Medicare Claims Submission Period Reduced
Local Medicare EDI Help Line Numbers

• As of January 1, 2010, the submission period for Medicare claims was reduced to one year. Check out the information sheet from CMS (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):
  - CMS information on Medicare claims submission period
   
• Need help with or have questions on Medicare electronic data interchange (EDI)? Get the list, by state, of local help line phone numbers from CMS. Most are toll-free numbers, but a few are not. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required.)
  - List of Part A help lines
  - List of Part B help lines

Have You Heard? - June 11, 2010
ICD-10 Coding Guidelines Manual
New Electronic Transactions Standards

• Here's the link to the 98-page 2010 ICD-10 Official Coding Guidelines from CMS (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):
  http://www.cms.gov/ICD10/Downloads/7_Guidelines10cm2010.pdf
   
• The most current "fact sheet" from CMS regarding the upcoming transition to new electronic transactions standards for the following versions adopted by HHS: ASC X12 Version 5010, and NCPDP Versions D.0 and 3.0 (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
  http://www.cms.gov/ICD10/downloads/w5010BasicsFctSht.pdf

Links to Associations and Organizations

• American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
  http://www.aapc.com
   
• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
  http://www.ahima.org
   
• Practice Management Institute (PMI)
  http://www.pmimd.com
   
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
  http://www.cms.gov
   
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  http://www.hhs.gov