The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of CSL Limited’s 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to include children ages 6 months and older. The vaccine was previously approved only for use in adults, ages 18 years and older. The expanded approval also covers the Australian company’s seasonal flu vaccine.

The vaccines will be available in single-dose, preservative-free, pre-filled syringes, and multi-dose vials.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Edwards Lifesciences notified health care professionals, Nov. 9, about the Class 1 recall of CardioVations EndoClamp™ Aortic Catheter, model numbers EC1001 and EC65. The recall was initiated because the balloon catheters may spontaneously rupture during surgery.

This product was manufactured from August 2008 through August 2009 and distributed from November 2008 through September 2009.

The device blocks off the aorta, monitors aortic pressure, and delivers solution to stop the heart during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.

On Oct. 29, 2009, the manufacturer sent a follow-up letter to their customers instructing them to:

• Check their inventory and identify any unused product; and 
• Return unused products to the company.

Class 1 recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

By Angela “Annie” Boynton RHIT, CPC, CCS, CPC-H, CCS-P, CPC-P, CPC-I

In efforts to remain productive, efficient and competitive, health plans, facilities and providers have begun to recognize the importance of information technology and information systems in the overall success of their respective fields.  In other words, health care is becoming increasingly dependent on the advances, convenience and intelligence that computers can offer.  That said, the implementation of ICD-10 will likely force health care based  IT departments to make significant investments of resources and revenue into preparing systems, applications, databases, data warehouses, programs, reports and business intelligence systems to ensure compliance with the October 1, 2013 implementation deadline. Read more »

A recent RAND Corporation study provides another incentive for physicians to implement electronic health care records (EHRs) — in addition to that really good one that mandates EHR meaningful use by 2014. According to the study, dedicated EHR use improves quality of care for patients and facilitates quality reporting for physicians. This, in turn, ensures eligible professionals (EPs) receive the full Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) incentive. An Ingenix survey, however, says many physicians remain skeptical that the benefits would outweigh the cost of implementing an EHR system. Read more »

At a time when Medicare is saying no to consultation codes, a Northeast insurer is saying yes to reimbursement claims from network physicians for Web-based consultations. Read more »

Highmark Medicare Services recently announced that Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) amounts are currently unavailable on its Web site because the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to issue a correction.

Read more »

Google has launched a live online map service that will help your patients find flu shots, both seasonal and H1N1.

The Internet company built the flu shot finder in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS). The service allows users to search within a specified area and locate providers — mostly chain pharmacies — where immunizations are available.

Because of its newness, it may not have all the sites yet, but it will provide consumers with sources for immunizations.

To ensure proper reimbursement, billing staff will need to update their standard knowledge of Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) modifiers. A Medicare policy revision due to take effect in 2010 changes modifier usage when reporting certain types of liability notices for non-covered services to a Medicare payer. Read more »

Medicare rural health centers (RHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) can expect to see payment updates in 2010 thanks to an increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Read more »