First Aid for Providers...

 *** News and Alerts***

The Continuing Extension Act of 2010 Extends Zero Percent Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Update
CMS Message 201004-27


On April 15, 2010, President Obama signed into law the "Continuing Extension Act of 2010." This law extends through May 31, 2010, the zero percent update to the MPFS that was in effect for claims with dates of service January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010. The law is retroactive to April 1, 2010. Consequently, effective immediately, claims with dates of service April 1 and later, which were being held by Medicare contractors, are being released for processing and payment. Please keep in mind that the statutory payment floors still apply and, therefore, clean electronic claims cannot be paid before 14 calendar days after the date they are received by Medicare contractors (29 calendar days for clean paper claims).



Given the uncertainty regarding MPFS claims with dates of service June 1, 2010, and later, please watch your listservs and your contractor's website for more information.

**************************************************************************

* * *Reminder:* * * 


Any provider submitting a CMS-855A, CMS-855B or CMS-855I application must submit the 9-digit ZIP Code for each practice location listed.

It's that time of year again!!

ICD-9-CM CHANGES EFFECTIVE 10/1/09

A SNEAK PEEK AT THE ICD-9-CM

CHANGES FOR 2010

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,

REVISED DIAGNOSIS CODE TITLES


Effective October 1, 2009

REVISED DIAGNOSIS CODE TITLES Effective October 1, 2009 The final addendum providing complete information on changes to the diagnosis part of ICD-9-CM is posted on CDC’s webpage at:

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/ftpserv/ftpicd9/icdidx10add.pdf 

this includes the New, Revised and Invalid Codes.

***Did you know that there are 15 steps to Protect Your Practice from abusive payment tactics???******

Please call Medlee at 516-804-3844 to set up a free consultation and evaluation of your practice and to discuss these 15 steps!!