Friday, June 12th, 2009
A collaboration between the Social Security Administration (SSA) and MedVirginia—Virginia’s regional health information organization—is making a sound business case for health information technology (health IT) and the use of interoperable electronic health records (EHRs), maintains Jim Borland, special adviser for health care IT at Social Security.
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
At the Obama administration’s request, the interim final rule on the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program went into effect April 18.
The rule—issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Jan. 16—implements provisions in section 154 of the 2008 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) related to the program.
Specifically, this rule officially delays implementation of Round 1 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program until 2009 and Round 2 until 2011; requires CMS to conduct a second Round 1 competition this year; and mandates certain changes for both the Round 1 rebid and subsequent rounds of the program, including a process for feedback to suppliers regarding missing financial documentation and requiring contractors to disclose to CMS information regarding subcontracting relationships.
The Round 1 rebid includes the same items and services and will be conducted in the same areas as the 2007 Round 1 competition, with exceptions. Specifically, the Round 1 rebid excludes negative pressure wound therapy items and services, Puerto Rico, and Group 3 complex rehabilitative wheelchairs.
Suppliers previously awarded a competitive bidding contract will need to resubmit bids for consideration. However, suppliers need only submit financial documents from the past year, rather than the past three years.
The Round 1 rebid will occur in the following cities:
The Round 1 rebid will include the following categories of items and services:
CMS is expected to issue guidance on the timeline and bidding requirements related to the Round 1 rebid in the upcoming weeks. This rule does not have an immediate effect on the DMEPOS benefit for Medicare beneficiaries.
Monday, December 15th, 2008
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 amends the Social Security Act §1834(l)(13) and provides an increase in payment for ambulance ground transports.
Effective for claims with dates of service on or after July 1, 2008, and before Jan. 1, 2010, ambulance fee schedule amounts for covered ground ambulance transports which originate in a rural area increase by 3 percent, and covered ground ambulance transports which originate in a non-rural area increase by 2 percent.
For further details, read Transmittal 414, CR 6206 on CMS’s Web site.
Monday, December 15th, 2008
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is interested in developing a fully automated system to enable them to electronically retrieve information from personal health care records (PHRs). In a Nov. 20 request for information special notice, the SSA sought to identify possible sources who could assist in developing a prototype. Read more »
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
As of Jan. 1, 2009, eligible originating sites for payment of telehealth services will include hospital-based or critical access hospital-based renal dialysis facilities (including satellites), skilled nursing facilities and community mental health centers. This amendment to the Social Security Act is mandated by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008. Read more »
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