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ACMA takes second Important Message for Medicare concerns to CMS

Patient Access Weekly Advisor, March 17, 2010

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The following article is adapted from HCPro’s resource for hospital case managers—www.CaseManagementMentor.com—a free blog dedicated to connecting hospital case managers to industry pacesetters, peers, and best practices.

American Case Management Association (ACMA) CEO Greg Cunningham met with CMS officials recently to discuss the results of the ACMA Public Policy Committee’s survey about the second Important Message from Medicare (IM).

The ACMA said CMS was “receptive to the feedback.” Survey results reveal that:

• The majority of respondents (84%) report that case management is responsible for issuing the second IM
• More than half of the respondents (59%) report that 10 minutes or fewer are mecessaru to issue each IM
• More than 77% of respondents report that they track IM compliance 
  • Of those who track IM compliance 40% report a compliance rate between 76% and 100% 
• Only 38% of respondents report increased numbers of appeals
• The majority report that less than 25% of patient appeals are successful
• Respondents generally think the second IM process adds little value to patient care and adds to patient confusion and frustration

Read the full CMS Important Message / Appeal Rights Notification Requirement Survey Findings report.

CMS officials asked the association to compile a of the most pressing concerns pertaining to delivery of the second IM. The ACMA and CMS will work together to address the top 10.

Click here to read the rest of this post, or share your thoughts on this topic.

Browse more blog posts at www.CaseManagementMentor.com.

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