2009-06-25

Alert: Medicare & Medicaid Scam Targeting Physicians
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has become aware of a scam where perpetrators are sending faxes to physician offices posing as the Medicare carrier or Medicare Administrative Contractor. Read more.

Health Reform Details and Proposals Continue to Emerge in Congress
The debate over health-care reform continues in Washington. Read more.

MedPAC Releases June Report
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its mandated “Report to the Congress: Improving Incentives in the Medicare Program” (summary). The report makes recommendations on reforms to Medicare with the goal of improving efficiency and lowering the overall cost of care. Many have suggested giving MedPAC, which now plays a purely advisory role, more power in shaping Medicare payments as a means of controlling cost growth as part of an overall health reform package.

Health Information Technology (IT) Information Available From CMS
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorized funds to help finance and incentivize the adoption of health IT in medical practices across the country. Read more.

Qualified PQRI Registries From CMS: Allow for Half-Year Reporting
CMS has announced a new half-year reporting period between July 1 and December 31, 2009, to allow more physicians to participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). Read more.

Medicare Clarifies Anti-Emetic Reimbursement
Medicare has issued a clarification as to the circumstances under which the antiemetic drug Aprepitant (Emend®) should be billed under Medicare Part B as opposed to Medicare Part D. An explanation of the applicable circumstances is available from MLN Matters.

July 2009 ASP Files Available From Medicare
CMS has posted the July 2009 average sales price drug pricing files and crosswalks. They are available for download on the CMS Web site.

Medicare Releases Quarterly CCI Update
CMS has released its Quarterly Update to the Correct Coding Initiative. These updates will go into effect July 1, 2009.

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