Health Information Management

The week in Medicare updates

APCs Insider, May 16, 2014

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CMS issues 2014 annual update for Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule and Laboratory Services
On May 2, CMS released a Recurring Update Notification to provide instructions for Chapter 16, Section 20, of the revised 2014 Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule. 
Effective date: January 1, 2014 (unless otherwise specified, the effective date is the date of service)
Implementation date: On or before June 30, 2014 
View Transmittal R2948CP. 
View MLN Matters® MM8695.
 
Medicare system updates
On May 2, CMS released a one-time notification to provide instructions for changes in the DMEPOS Fee Schedule File and HCPCS file for splints, casts, and certain intraocular lenses.
Effective date: October 1, 2014
Implementation date: October 6, 2014 
View Transmittal R2947CP.
 
Revision of Medicare Contractor Beneficiary and Provider Communications Manual 
On May 2, CMS released a change request to revise Pub. 100-09, Chapter 6 of the Medicare Contractor Beneficiary and Provider Communications Manual, which includes the URL for the MAC Internet-based Provider Portal Handbook, so that the handbook can be cleared as part of the revision of Chapter 6. CMS will also delete Chapter 3, Provider Inquiries, which became obsolete in 2009, when its contents were merged into Chapter 6. 
Effective date: July 2, 2014
Implementation date: July 2, 2014 
View Transmittal R28COM.
 
Revisions to the OIG’s exclusion authorities
On May 9, the OIG released a proposed rule amending the regulations related to exclusion authorities under the authority of the OIG of HHS. The proposed rule would incorporate statutory changes, propose early reinstatement procedures, and clarify existing regulatory provisions. 
View the document. 
View the comment docket. Comments due by July 8.
 
Reforms of regulatory requirements to save healthcare providers $660 million annually
On May 7, CMS issued a press release stating reforms to Medicare regulations identified as unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome on hospitals and other healthcare providers will save nearly $660 million annually, and $3.2 billion over five years through the 2015 IPPS proposed rule. 
View the press release.



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