August 30, 2006

Comprehensive Imaging Review Course in IPM – Still accepting registrations

Don’t miss out on this Comprehensive Imaging Review Course in Interventional Pain Management on Sept. 14-16 and the ABIPP Competency Certification in Fluoroscopic Interpretation & Radiation Safety (exam for IPM physicians only) on Sept. 17. This 3-day Comprehensive Imagining Review Course is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking competency certification or as an in-depth review in fluoroscopic interpretation and radiation safety.

For more information or to register online go to: http://www.asipp.org/meetings.htm

Multiple imaging scan discount won’t rise in 2007 

With the looming news of the CMS the proposed 5.1 % cut to Medicare payments, there is fallout for multiple imaging scan discounts – some good news and bad news.

The good news is Medicare won’t reduce multiple imaging scans by 50% as originally planned. Instead, CMS will keep this year’s 25% reduction fo multiple scans on the same area.

But the bad news is Medicare is moving forward with a proposal to cut imaging scans to outpatient prospective payment system levels. Some believe this could cut some codes by up to 50%. When the multiple imaging discount and the outpatient cap both apply, CMS will apply the discount first, which will result in higher payments than applying the cap first.

Source: Part B Insider

Louisiana state law to regulate pain clinics

If passed A proposed Louisiana state house bill appears to be a potential problem for interventional pain management and IP clinics specifically.

The legislation is said to be an attempt to solve the huge problem of disreputable pain clinics known as “pill mills.” Local and state law enforcement has nothing currently in the law to help combat the problem. Although the legislation does not target interventional physicians, but rather the unethical doctors who abuse the system, some fear the legislation could drive reputable interventional pain specialists away from prescribing narcotics.

See House Bill No. 749

2008 ASC payment schedule to include blended rates for 2008

CMS has published a blended rate for each code. According to CMS this will be budget neutral. While some organizations are fighting this methodology some are supporting it. There are major winners at 62% straight down methodology; however, based on the CMS methodology for 2008 the losses will be less than projected by ASIPP.

Originally, CMS stated that they would also use a blended rate for 2009 however; we are unable to find a 2009 rate in the proposed schedule. In any case, either in 2009 or 2010 the direct methodology of 62% or lower will be effective.

Attached is a table showing HOPD 2007 proposed rates and HOPD ASC proposed rates for 2007. ASIPP inserted blended rates as proposed by CMS for 2008 to illustrate how it would be if they went down a straight 62%. For the table illustrating showing all of them, click here.

For more information on the proposed 2007 & 2008 changes go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ASCPayment/06_CMS1506P.asp#TopOfPage

HHS provides seal of approval for qualifying EHRs

In a long-awaited announcement, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) released on July 18 a list of 17 electronic health record products that met its standards for functionality, security and interoperability.

"This is a big day," said Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. "This is undoubtedly the most important thing that is happening in health IT."

Eventually, he said, the federal government would only do business with health care providers who use information systems that have been certified as interoperable. CCHIT was formed in 2004 by three industry associations, the American Health Information Management Association, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and The National Alliance for Health Information Technology. Last year, HHS awarded the organization nearly $3 million to develop a process to certify outpatient and hospital health records

The hope is that certification can help overcome doctors' uncertainties about how to evaluate health IT products and to reassure doctors that a system won't become obsolete once it has been purchased.

Despite all the publicity surrounding health IT, fewer than one in five physician offices are estimated to use electronic medical records systems.

The first products to be certified are all designed to be used in doctors' offices. Though most health care is delivered in doctors' offices, these groups have been slower than hospitals in adopting information technology.

What is an EHR? The Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a longitudinal electronic record of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting. Included in this information are patient demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports. The EHR automates and streamlines the clinician's workflow. The EHR has the ability to generate a complete record of a clinical patient encounter, as well as supporting other care-related activities directly or indirectly via interface - including evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting.

For more information and a complete list of the CCHIT list see:

HealthIT News http://www.healthcareitnews.com/story.cms?id=5274 or

http://www.govhealthit.com/article92297-02-13-06-Print

October Cadaver Workshop and Review Course

Make plans to attend the next Interventional Techniques Review Course and Comprehensive Interventional Cadaver Workshop on October 21-22, 2006 in Memphis, TN.

The Review Course is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking board certification by ABIPP or as an in-depth review of Interventional Techniques. Additionally the Review Course will be based on the specifications of the Cadaver Workshop and will assist in preparation for ABIPP Part I or Part II (FIPP) examinations.

Learn more about the course, workshop, and hotel information and REGISTER ONLINE at: http://www.asipp.org/meetings.htm

Nine-day payment freeze could turn into 12 days

As reported in previous ASIPP e-news updates, providers should be bracing for the nine days of payment delay in late September -- but the situation could actually be worse than first reported. Medicare plans to hold all claims from Sept. 22 through Sept. 30, as required by the Medicare Modernization Act. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had said that all of those claims would be paid promptly on Oct. 2. But it appears it may actually take longer.

Some large carriers "may have a little difficulty mailing all of these held payments on a single day," a CMS official told the Aug. 11 physician open door forum. "Be patient with them," he pleaded. The carriers' mailrooms may have difficulty sending out that many checks on a single day.

For more information go to: http://medicalnewswire.com/artman/publish/article_8524.shtml or visit

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

MCAC holds meeting on glucose monitoring

Of the nearly 40 million Medicare beneficiaries, over three-quarters (78%) have at least one chronic condition which requires ongoing medical care and management. Almost two-thirds (63%) have two or more chronic conditions, and twenty percent of Medicare beneficiaries have five or more chronic conditions. Thus, access to medical services that addresses the needs of people with chronic conditions is critical for the majority of Medicare beneficiaries.

In response to this, Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) is addressing the issue of glucose monitoring by holding public meeting today, Aug. 30. The Committee provides advice and recommendations about whether scientific evidence is adequate to determine whether certain medical items and services are reasonable and necessary under the Medicare statute  For items of discussion, go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewmcac.asp?where=index&mid=36