July 2010 Practice Update (part two)

2010-07-22

2011 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule Summary
On July 2, 2010, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted a copy of the hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule for 2011. In addition to updating OPPS payments and regulations, the proposed rule also implements provisions of the recently passed health reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Read ASH’s summary and analysis.

HHS Announces Final Rules to Support 'Meaningful Use' of Electronic Health Records
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced final rules aimed at increasing safety and reducing health-care costs through expanded use of electronic health records (EHR). Under a provision included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, eligible health-care professionals and hospitals can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt certified EHR technology and use it to achieve specified objectives. Read more.

2010 Incentive Payments for CMS eRx Incentive Program Are Still Available
It is not too late to start participating in CMS' eRx Incentive Program to potentially qualify to receive a full-year incentive payment. The program requires the physician to electronically prescribe 25 times in a year. Eligible professionals may begin reporting eRx at any time throughout the 2010 program year. Read more.

Survey Results Show That Consult Code Elimination Has Negative Impact on Medicare Patients
ASH, along with several other medical specialties, released survey results from 5,500 physicians illustrating that the elimination of Medicare’s consultation codes has had a negative impact on physician efforts to improve care coordination and reduced the treatment options available to Medicare patients. Read more.

Medicare Provides Information Regarding Vulnerabilities Leading to Recovery Auditing
CMS has released information about high-dollar improper payment vulnerabilities identified through the Recovery Audit Contractor demonstrations.

Register for ASH Webinar Series on Thrombosis
ASH will be presenting a series of three webinars on thrombosis issues that practicing hematologists frequently confront. The sessions will feature presentations by experts in the field, provide time for questions and answers, and will cover the most current information on how to best diagnose and care for patients. All webinars will be one hour in length and occur at 8:00 p.m. EST.

  • September 14 - Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
  • October 20 - Coagulation Management in Cancer
  • November 17 - Non-Hemophilia-Associated Conditions Associated With Bleeding

Registration information will be provided on the ASH website and in the Practice Update in the near future. Contact ASH Policy and Practice Associate Patrick C. Irelan for more information.

2010 ASH State-of-the-Art Symposium Advance Registration
Don't miss your chance to register for the 2010 ASH State-of-the-Art Symposium, which will focus on the latest research and treatment options for hematologic malignancies and thrombotic disorders. Download the brochure for complete meeting details including the program schedule, hotel accommodations, and registration rates. See you September 24-25 in Chicago!

52nd ASH Annual Meeting Registration and Housing Reservations Are Now Available
If you are an ASH member and have paid your dues for 2010, visit the ASH registration and housing website to access members-only early-bird registration and housing reservation. Please be advised that you must register before making a hotel reservation.

The deadline for online early-bird registration is August 2. Please be sure to enter your member ID number and type your name as it appears in ASH's online membership directory.

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