Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) have been alerted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the following new waived tests under the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments of 1988 will continue to be waived in 2012.
To be considered as waived, the newly recognized tests must be reported with the codes below and the modifier QW appended.
81003QW Germaine Laboratories Inc. AimStrip Urine Analyzer
G0434QW UCP Biosciences, Inc. UCP Drug Screening Test Cups
G0434QW Diagnostic Test Group Clarity Multiple Drug Screen Cups
81003QW Mediwatch urinewatch Urine Analyzer
G0434QW Insight Medical Drug of Abuse Urine Cassette Test
G0434QW Insight Medical Drug of Abuse Urine Cup Test
G0434QW Instant Technologies, Inc. iScreen Drug of Abuse Urine (Cassette) Test
G0434QW Instant Technologies, Inc. iScreen Drug of Abuse Urine (Cup) Test
G0434QW Jant Pharmacal Accutest Drug of Abuse Urine (Cassette) Test
G0434QW Jant Pharmacal Accutest Drug of Abuse Urine (Cup) Test
G0434QW Total Diagnostic Solutions Drug of Abuse Urine (Cassette) Test
G0434QW Total Diagnostic Solutions Drug of Abuse Urine (Cup) Test
G0434QW Diagnostic Test Group Clarity Simple Drug Screening Cups
G0434QW Diagnostic Test Group Clarity Multi-Drug Test Cards
81003QW Uri-Trak 120 Urine Analyzer
G0434QW UCP Biosciences, Inc. U-Checker Drug Screening Test Cup
For more information, check CMS Transmittal 2321.
October 28th, 2011
The “2011-2012 Immunizers’ Question & Answer Guide to Medicare Part B & Medicaid Coverage of Seasonal Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations“ is now available in the Downloads section of the Immunizations page on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. Also available for download is a mini-poster in English and Spanish that reminds everyone that flu vaccination is covered for Medicare beneficiaries and children eligible for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is accepting applications for a new Innovation Advisors Program that aims to improve patient care while reducing costs by strengthening health professionals’ skills. This initiative is one of several efforts made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Those who will benefit are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed two rules and finalized a third rule, Oct. 18, with the intention to “reduce unnecessary, obsolete, or burdensome regulations.” CMS estimates these reforms could potentially save hospitals and health care providers nearly $1.1 billion dollars in the first year alone.
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To encourage conversion to a standardized electronic health record (EHR) system, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has paid $872 million through September to providers and facilities who have registered under a federal program, an official told an advisory committee recently.
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