Compliance Program Guidance For Medicare Fee-For-Service Contractors

On , in Documents, by AQ-IQ LLC

CMS has developed compliance program guidance for Medicare fee-for-service Contractors. This compliance program guidance is intended to assist Medicare fee-for-service Contractors in developing and implementing effective compliance programs that promote adherence to, and allow for, the efficient monitoring of compliance with all applicable statutory, regulatory and Medicare program requirements. CMS, in its ongoing effort to […]

Medicare Summary Notice Gets New Look

On , in Industry News, by AQ-IQ LLC

Marilyn Tavenner, the Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS),  announced the redesign of the statement that informs Medicare beneficiaries about their claims for Medicare services and benefits.  The redesigned statement, known as the Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), will be available online and, starting in 2013, mailed out quarterly to beneficiaries. […]

Notice of Final Payment Error Calculation Methodology for Part C Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) Contract-Level Audits (2012)

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On February 24, 2012, CMS released a Notice of Final Payment Error Calculation Methodology for Part C Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) Contract-Level Audits.  The notice advises that:   ·         CMS will perform its next round of Medicare Advantage (MA) contract-level audits on payment year 2011. ·         Payment year 2011 is the first […]

Proposed Rule: Stage 2 Meaningful Use Requirements

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CMS announced a proposed rule for Stage 2 requirements for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, eligible health care professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals can qualify for […]

Proposed 2013 Updates for Medicare Part C and Part D

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From the CMS Press Release: Public comments now open for 2013 combined Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter CMS announced proposed payment and policy guidance for Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug (Part D) plans for 2013 that will help continue the trend of lower premiums and stable or improved benefits that beneficiaries […]

CMS Intends to Postpone ICD-10 Compliance Date

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From the CMS Press Release:  Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen G. Sebelius announced that HHS will initiate a process to postpone the date by which certain health care entities have to comply with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition diagnosis and procedure codes (ICD-10). The final rule adopting ICD-10 as a standard was published […]

Healthcare Professionals Selected For The New Innovation Advisors Program

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  From the HHS News Release: CMS announced that it has selected 73 individuals from 27 States and the District of Columbia for its Innovation Advisors program. The initiative, launched by the CMS Innovation Center in October 2011, will help health professionals deepen skills that will drive improvements to patient care and reduce costs. After […]

Paula Digby, Author, Speaker, Founder

On , in Biographies, by AQ-IQ LLC

Paula S Digby, CCS, CDIP, CPC, AAPC Certified Instructor, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer Mrs. Digby has greater than 29 years’ experience in healthcare, which includes; medical office and health information management; billing & coding supervision and process design and implementation for healthcare providers, such as inpatient and outpatient hospital departments, inpatient rehab facilities, physician’s practices […]

Independence at Home Demonstration Project Announced

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  From the HHS News Release: CMS will join with medical practices to test the effectiveness of delivering primary care services in a home setting on improving care for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. Medical practices led by physicians or nurse practitioners will provide primary care home visits tailored to the needs of beneficiaries […]