April 21, 2006

There is Still Time to Register for May 4-8 Review Courses & Exams

It is not too late to register for the Controlled Substance Management and Coding Compliance and Practice Management review courses and competency exams – a few spots still open!

The review courses in and the certification exams in Controlled Substance Management and Coding Compliance and Practice Management will be held in beautiful downtown Chicago on May 4-9.  The four-day intensive review course (May 4-7) is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking competency certification and to provide Interventional Pain Management Specialists and other healthcare providers an in-depth review of multiple areas of interventional pain managements. The Competency Certification Exams will be held on May 8.

To view the May brochure or register online, go to meetings on the ASIPP Web site. Register today for the review courses and exams and come to the “Windy City” in May! Register today!

Answers to Issues Raised On Pump Refill Code:  Supplies Added to CPT Code 95991

Led by President David Kloth, ASIPP recently formed an alliance with the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), International Spine Intervention Society (ISIS), and North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) for the purpose of working with CMS to develop appropriate reimbursements for pump refills across the country. The coalition presented several issues surrounding pump refill reimbursements which, in our collective view, needed to be addressed.  CMS indicated some of these areas would be considered, but others would not. As we obtain definite response(s) from CMS, we will keep you informed.  One of the primary areas of our efforts relates to the wide discrepancy, state by state, in reimbursements for the refill medications. In some states, the reimbursement by Medicare for the medications is below cost due to the lack of coverage/reimbursement for shipping fees and/or compounding costs incurred.  As a result, the reimbursement for the entire refill procedure may barely cover the actual costs involved. 

In addition to looking into the pump refill medication reimbursement, the coalition also petitioned CMS to recalculate the RVU’s for 95991 to include the cost of the refill kit (which costs $28).  CMS has recognized that the reason this cost was not included in the RVU calculation for 95991 was due to an administrative error (it was included in the RVU calculation for 95990).  CMS is considering options to make the determination retroactive to the first of the year but has NOT made a ruling on this yet. Retroactivity is not likely to be considered for any time period beyond this year.

Prior ASIPP News articles may have given the impression that CMS had now sanctioned the billing of both SA076 (the refill kit) and 95991.  This is incorrect – these codes are inclusive and cannot be billed together.  If CMS makes the changes they are now considering, they will remain inclusive, but the reimbursement for 95991 may be increased to reflect the cost of the refill kit.

ASIPP apologizes for the misunderstanding.

July Cadaver Workshop and Review Course

Make plans to attend the next Interventional Techniques Review Course and Comprehensive Interventional Cadaver Workshop on July 7-9, 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: asipp.org

Imaging Review in IPM and Competency Certifications

Mark your calendar! September, 14-17, 2006 on the “Enchanted Island” of Coronado in San Diego, ASIPP presents a Comprehensive Imaging Review in Interventional Pain Management & Competency Certification in Fluoroscopic Interpretation and Radiation Safety.

• Three days of the most up-to-date and thorough Comprehensive Imaging Review
• Fluoroscopic Interpretation and Radiation Safety Competency Certification
• CME Credits
• Network with other professionals

Look for your “Save the Date” card in the mail. Course details will be coming soon!  Coronado Island Marriott Resort

Pain Physician Journal Now Accepting Article Submissions

The Pain Physician Journal, recently included and indexed on MEDLINE, is accepting manuscript submittals for publication consideration. Pain Physician is a peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary journal written by and directed to an audience of interventional pain physicians, clinicians and basic scientists with an interest in interventional pain management and pain medicine.

Pain Physician is the official publication of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP). Pain Physician requires that all manuscripts be prepared in accordance with the uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals, with the exception of reference citations and format. For information on manuscript submittals go to http://www.painphysicianjournal.com

Submit articles to: editor@painphysicianjournal.com