Corporate Compliance

Transmittals and MLN Matters articles

Medicare Update for Physician Services, January 8, 2009

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Medicare Update for Physician Services!

CMS issues quarterly update to Correct Coding Initiative edits
On December 31, CMS issued a transmittal updating the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits to version 15.0.
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: January 5, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
View CMS’ Web page for physician CCI edits.
View the MLN Matters article
 
CMS increases payment amount for certain psychiatry CPT codes
On December 31, CMS issued a transmittal increasing the payment amount by 5% for certain psychiatry CPT codes, in accordance with the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.
 
Effective date: July 1, 2008
Implementation date: February 2, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
 
CMS clarifies billing policies for laboratory services related to end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
On December 31, CMS issued a transmittal clarifying its existing policies regarding billing for ESRD-related laboratory services.
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: February 2, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
 
CMS implements no changes to NCD for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the carotid artery concurrent with stenting
On December 24, CMS issued a transmittal maintaining its current NCD for PTA of the carotid artery concurrent with stenting. The NCD continues to provide coverage for certain patient populations under specific conditions.
 
Effective date: October 14, 2008
Implementation date: January 26, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
 
CMS expands coverage of telehealth services
On December 24, CMS released two transmittals to implement coverage of telehealth services for three new HCPCS codes.
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: January 5, 2009
 
View the first transmittal.
View the second transmittal.
 
CMS instructs contractors on provider enrollment
On December 19, CMS issued two transmittals on provider enrollment, regarding verification processes and procedures for handling deceased providers.
 
Effective date: January 20, 2009
Implementation date: January 20, 2009
 
View the first transmittal.
View the second transmittal.
 
CMS issues summary of policies in the 2009 Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) and the telehealth originating site facility fee payment amount
On December 19, CMS issued a transmittal providing a summary of the policies in the 2009 MPFS and announcing the telehealth originating site facility fee.
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: January 5, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
 
CMS issues zone program integrity contractor (ZPIC) updates
On December 19, CMS issued two transmittals updating the Medicare Program Integrity manual for ZPICs. ZPICs will be replacing program safeguard contractors.
 
Effective date: January 26, 2009
Implementation date: January 26, 2009
 
View the first transmittal.
View the second transmittal.
 
CMS issues annual clotting factor furnishing fee update
On December 19, CMS issued its annual update to the furnishing fee for clotting factor.
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: January 5, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
View a related MLN Matters article.
 
CMS announces new waived tests under CLIA
On December 19, CMS announced new waived tests under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA).
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: January 5, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
View a related MLN Matters article.
 
CMS issues transmittal on the 2009 update for clinical laboratory fee schedule and laboratory services subject to reasonable charge payment
On December 19, CMS issued a transmittal providing instructions for the CY 2009 clinical laboratory fee schedule, mapping for new codes for clinical laboratory tests, and updates for laboratory costs subject to the reasonable charge payment.
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: January 5, 2009
 
View the transmittal.
View a related MLN Matters article.
 
CMS issues recurring update notification on Part B average sales price (ASP) drug pricing files
On December 19, CMS issued a transmittal on the January 2009 Part B ASP quarterly drug pricing files and updates to previous drug pricing files.
 
Effective date: January 1, 2009
Implementation date: January 5, 2009 
 
View the transmittal.
View a related MLN Matters article.
 
CMS rescinds and replaces previous transmittal on paying claims without passing through editors
On December 18, CMS rescinded and replaced its previous transmittal regarding paying claims without passing through the integrated outpatient code editor or the Medicare code editor. Most information remains the same.
 
Effective date: November 25, 2008
Implementation date: November 25, 2008
 
View the transmittal.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Medicare Update for Physician Services!

Most Popular

Related Articles