CMS Coding and Clinical Documentation Resources

“As with ICD-9, CMS offers ample resources to assist both coders and clinicians with coding and clinical documentation for ICD-10.

• Official Government Coding Guidelines: Diagnosis Coding
• Official Government Coding Guidelines: Inpatient Procedure Coding
• Click here to access additional coding and clinical documentation resources.” [Source: CMS]

2015 Program Year Meaningful Use Hardship Application Released

“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released hardship applications which eligible professionals (EP) and eligible hospitals (EH) can use to avoid a penalty under Meaningful Use for the 2015 Program Year. The streamlined hardship applications reduce the amount of information that eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and CAHs must submit to apply for an exception. The new applications and instructions for a hardship exception from the Medicare Electronic Health Records Incentive Program 2017 payment adjustment are available here. EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that wish to use the streamlined application must submit their application according to the timeline established in PAMPA: Eligible Professionals: March 15, 2016.” [Source: CMS]

Promote Preventive Services For Your Medicaid Clients

“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is offering a set of engaging materials to help Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries understand and access preventive services available to them. Living Well is a set of outreach and education materials that connects preventive care in the clinical setting with everyday life. Click here to view the toolkit, posters, factsheets, social media graphics, and image library.” [Source: COPrevent]

Overview of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) presentation available

“Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) CPT, HCPCS, and Bundling 2015 presentation is available for review. The presentation provides an overview on CPT and HCPCS history, how changes in coding are determined, and how to use both manuals. The presentation also provides additional resources for agency staff that work with coding and billing.” [Source: CMS]

CMS intends to modify requirements for Meaningful Use

"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced intent to engage in rulemaking to update the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs beginning in 2015. These intended changes would help to reduce the reporting burden on providers, while supporting the long term goals of the program." Click here to view the full announcement. [Source: CMS]

ICD-10 “Road to 10” Training

“Taking advantage of the extended ICD-10 implementation timeframe gives you even more control over your practice’s ICD-10 transition. To help your practice make the best use of this extension, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is excited to offer FREE ICD-10 training: Road to 10: A Small Physician Practice’s Route to ICD-10. The training is August 28th, 12:00-1:00pm at COPIC | 7351 E. Lowry Blvd. | Mile High Room | Denver, CO 80123. Click here to register.

• Study the basics, differences, and benefits of ICD-10
• Explore common codes, primers for clinical documentation, and clinical scenarios all broken out by specialty
• Create a customized Action Plan, personalized by specialty and practice details” [Source: CMS]

CMS Issues Fact Sheets to Assist Consumers in Understanding Enrollment Options

“As part of broader Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment efforts, which continues year-round, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a number of fact sheets (available in English and Spanish) intended to assist consumers in understanding “the basics” relative to their enrollment options under Medicaid and CHIP.

The fact sheets are customizable and are designed for use by both states that have expanded Medicaid (“expansion states”) and those that have elected not to do so (“non-expansion states”) pursuant of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In addition, CMS also issued separate fact sheets available for use by groups working with American Indian/Alaskan Native Population (AI/AN communities), which delineate some of the special protections available to these beneficiaries.” [Source: HCPF]

ICD-10 News: Road to 10 Provider Tool

“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the release of the Road to 10, a free online resource built with the help of physicians in small practices.  Available on the Provider Resources page, this tool is intended to help small medical practices jumpstart their ICD-10 transition.

The Road to 10 gives providers the capability to build ICD-10 action plans tailored for their practice needs.  The customized action plans break down the transition into concrete steps.  The tool is designed for use by small practices in primary care as well as all specialties.  The Road to 10’s resources include common ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, clinical documentation primers, and clinical scenarios for: family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, cardiology, orthopedics.”  [Source:  CMS]

CMS Revises Meaningful Use Timeline: Stage 2 Extended Through 2016

“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on 12/6/13 announced a revised timeline for Meaningful Use Stage 2 and 3. Under the revised timeline, Stage 2 will be extended through 2016 and Stage 3 will begin in 2017 for those providers that have completed at least two years in Stage 2.

According to their announcement the goal of this change is two-fold: first, to allow CMS and ONC to focus efforts on the successful implementation of the enhanced patient engagement, interoperability and health information exchange requirements in Stage 2; and second, to utilize data from Stage 2 participation to inform policy decisions for Stage 3.  Click here to read more.”  [Source:  CCI Voice]

People with Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace

"How do you best respond to questions from Medicare beneficiaries about the new Health Insurance Marketplace?  Please share this fact sheet from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

These FAQs are designed to reassure people with Medicare that the Health Insurance Marketplace won’t affect their Medicare coverage.  Please share and distribute this information widely with your Aging Network." [Source: COPrevent]

Transforming Colorado’s Health Care System: The Colorado Health Care Innovation Plan Kick-Off

“Governor John Hickenlooper and Sue Birch, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, request your help in creating a Colorado Health Care Innovation Plan that will serve as a guide to health care transformation across the state.

The Opportunity: Colorado has won a $2 million award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop and refine a Colorado Health Care Innovation Plan. We are one of only three states chosen to receive funding for this effort. This is our chance to convene experts from across the state and build an innovative and integrated vision of health care that will guide our efforts for years to come.

The Background: All of us are working to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. We know that this will require a coordinated, efficient, effective and integrated health care system that improves health outcomes, increases patient satisfaction and lowers costs. We have taken many steps to move our system toward these goals, but much remains to be done. As the Governor said at the release of The State of Health: Colorado’s Commitment to Become the Healthiest State, we have to be “all hands on deck” when it comes to health.

How: We are seeking broad input from the consumer, employer, payer, provider, public health and education communities. Our goal is to reach consensus on a vision of sustainable health that works for Colorado.

When: The Stakeholder Group will meet three times between now and September. Each facilitated meeting will require advance preparation as we come together to solve problems, build on great ideas and achieve consensus.

We have scheduled the first meeting from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, at History Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver. 

RSVP: By May 23 to Kathy Helm, ColoradoSIM@coloradohealthinstitute.org

Please read The State of Health to prepare for the meeting. www.colorado.gov/stateofhealth" [Source: CHI]

Medscape Modules Available on ICD-10

"CMS, through Medscape Education, has released two ICD-10 video lectures and an expert article providing practical guidance for the ICD-10 transition. The video lectures are specifically for physicians, while the article covers more general topics for all health care providers. Continuing medical education (CME) credits are available to physicians who complete the modules, and anyone who completes them can receive a certificate of completion. The modules are free. You can use the links below to access them. If you are not a member of Medscape, you will first be prompted to fill out a brief registration form...For questions or technical assistance with the CME modules, please contact Medscape at CME@medscape.net."  [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grant Opportunity and Important Information on Key Medicaid and CHIP Provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

"We are pleased to announce that today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a solicitation for applications for Connecting Kids to Coverage Outreach and Enrollment Grants.  Please see the attachment for more information as well as information about key Medicaid and CHIP provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012."  Click here to learn more about this grant opportunity.  Deadline for applications is February 21, 2013. [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Register for the National Provider Call on Stage 1 and Stage 2 of Meaningful Use for the EHR Incentive Programs

CMS will host a National Provider Call about the Stage 2 Final Rule and how it affects Stage 1 and Stage 2 of meaningful use and other requirements of the EHR Incentive Programs on Wednesday, January 16 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. ET. This call aims to help providers successfully participate in the EHR Incentive Programs and receive an incentive payment...Click here to register.  Registration will close at 12 p.m. on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early.  [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

CMS Announces 90-Day Period of Enforcement Discretion for Compliance with Eligibility and Claim Status Operating Rules

"Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) announced that to reduce the potential of significant disruption to the health care industry, it will not initiate enforcement action until March 31, 2013, with respect to HIPAA covered entities (including health plans, health care providers, and clearinghouses, as applicable) that are not in compliance with the operating rules adopted for the following transactions as required by the Affordable Care Act: eligibility for a health plan and health care claim status.  Notwithstanding OESS’ discretionary application of its enforcement authority, the compliance date for using the operating rules remains January 1, 2013...For copies of the operating rules for the eligibility for a health plan and health care claim status transactions, visit the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) CORE website at http://www.caqh.org.   Links to information on the operating rules for eligibility for a health plan and health care claim status are available here."  [Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services]

Updates and Information on ICD-10

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services devotes a portion of their website to providing updates and information on ICD-10 to help you prepare.  It includes practical transition tips such as:

•     Read recent ICD-10 email update messages
•     Access the ICD-10 continuing medical education modules developed by CMS in partnership with Medscape

Where to Find ICD-10 Information

"To keep on track with planning and preparation for tasks that need to be completed by the transition deadline—October 1, 2014—take advantage of ICD-10 educational events, like online webinars and presentations in your area..."  Click here to view the online resources.  [Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services]

Safety Net Challenges In Delivering Accountable Care

"As defined by the Affordable Care Act and subsequent rulemaking, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are accountable for the cost and quality of care for a defined group of patients. In return, ACOs are able to share in savings that may result from providing cost-effective care, and they sometimes bear risk for excessive spending as well.  While originally intended for Medicare beneficiaries, public-sector ACOs have drawn considerable attention from many states as a vehicle for potentially providing more accountable, cost-effective care to Medicaid and uninsured populations.  At least ten states have already launched or are scheduled to launch Medicaid ACO initiatives..."  Click here to the full article.  [Source:Health Affairs]

Solo-Provider Practice and Rural Clinic Make the Switch From Paper Medical Records to EHR

"Studies show that office-based medical practices are migrating to electronic health record (EHR) systems in record numbers. Practices foregoing paper medical records for EHRs are motivated by ARRA incentives and increased pressure from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)...

In 2011, with a $50,000 grant through the Colorado Rural Health Center Care Grant Program in hand, [Eastern Plains Medical Clinic was] ready to make the change from paper to EHR. “We worked with Angela Marino from Colorado Rural Health Center – she came out and did a site analysis to make sure we were prepared to go with EHR, what areas we needed to look at, how workflow was going to change and which policies and procedures we needed,” said Wilson..."  Click here to read more.  [Source: CORHIO]

Webinar: Moving Forward with Meaningful Use in the HCH Setting

Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 3 p.m. MST

This webinar will address the key elements to integrating meaningful use (MU) of health information into the HCH practice setting. The office of CMS will address questions related to the MU stage 1 and 2 and the core requirements for attestation. Christ Community Health Services will share their experience in implementing MU into their care delivery system.

Presenters:

•     Anna Gard, FNP-BC; Consultant on PCMH and MU, NHCHC; Health Disparities Consultant, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved; Glenside, Pennsylvania
•     Lance Lutrell, Operations Analyst, Christ Community Health Services
•     Rob Anthony, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Public Management, Partners Relations Group

Click here to register.