News
East Alabama Family Practitioner Collects $18,000 in Medicare EHR Incentive
February 21st, 2012
Although not all incentive payments have been reported, those payments reported to MediSYS indicate our Alabama Providers have collected million dollars in incentive payments. And that number continues to grow every day as physicians report receiving their checks.
Providers from cities across the state of Alabama have received Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments. Plus, many Medicare providers have collected significant ePrescribe incentive payments, PQRS incentives and more. Specialties receiving incentive payments range from General Surgery, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Pediatricians, Podiatry, Physical Therapy to Urology.
Celebrating over 25 years in business, MediSYS serves over 1,000 Alabama providers providing electronic health records, practice management systems and medical billing.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969 MediSYS www.medisysinc.comCentral Alabama Ophthalmologists Collect $19,549 in Incentives
February 21st, 2012
Although not all incentive payments have been reported, those payments reported to MediSYS indicate our Alabama Providers have collected million dollars in incentive payments. And that number continues to grow every day as physicians report receiving their checks.
Providers from cities across the state of Alabama have received Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments. Plus, many Medicare providers have collected significant ePrescribe incentive payments, PQRS incentives and more. Specialties receiving incentive payments range from General Surgery, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Pediatricians, Podiatry, Physical Therapy to Urology.
Celebrating over 25 years in business, MediSYS serves over 1,000 Alabama providers providing electronic health records, practice management systems and medical billing.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969 MediSYS www.medisysinc.comEast Alabama OB/GYN Provider Collects $21,250 in Incentive
February 21st, 2012
Although not all incentive payments have been reported, those payments reported to MediSYS indicate our Alabama Providers have collected million dollars in incentive payments. And that number continues to grow every day as physicians report receiving their checks.
Providers from cities across the state of Alabama have received Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments. Plus, many Medicare providers have collected significant ePrescribe incentive payments, PQRS incentives and more. Specialties receiving incentive payments range from General Surgery, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Pediatricians, Podiatry, Physical Therapy to Urology.
Celebrating over 25 years in business, MediSYS serves over 1,000 Alabama providers providing electronic health records, practice management systems and medical billing.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969 MediSYS www.medisysinc.comSouth Alabama Pediatricians Collect $64,500 in Incentives
February 21st, 2012
Although not all incentive payments have been reported, those payments reported to MediSYS indicate our Alabama Providers have collected million dollars in incentive payments. And that number continues to grow every day as physicians report receiving their checks.
Providers from cities across the state of Alabama have received Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments. Plus, many Medicare providers have collected significant ePrescribe incentive payments, PQRS incentives and more. Specialties receiving incentive payments range from General Surgery, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Pediatricians, Podiatry, Physical Therapy to Urology.
Celebrating over 25 years in business, MediSYS serves over 1,000 Alabama providers providing electronic health records, practice management systems and medical billing.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969 MediSYS www.medisysinc.comWest Alabama Internal Medicine Group Collects $83,000 in Incentives
February 21st, 2012
Although not all incentive payments have been reported, those payments reported to MediSYS indicate our Alabama Providers have collected almost a million dollars in incentive payments for 2011. And that number continues to grow every day as physicians report receiving their checks.
Providers from cities across the state of Alabama have received Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments. Plus, many Medicare providers have collected significant ePrescribe incentive payments, PQRS incentives and more. Specialties receiving incentive payments range from General Surgery, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Pediatricians, Podiatry, Physical Therapy to Urology.
Celebrating over 25 years in business, MediSYS serves over 1,000 Alabama providers providing electronic health records, practice management systems and medical billing.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969 MediSYS www.medisysinc.comHHS Announces it will Postpone the ICD-10 Complicance Date
February 20th, 2012
The compliance date of October 1, 2013 was established in January 2009 as part of the final rule of adopting ICD-10. However, HHS will declare a new compliance date in the future. This is in part due to the Obama administration’s pledge to reduce regulatory burden on health care entities.
“ICD-10 codes are important to many positive improvements in our health care system,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “We have heard from many in the provider community who have concerns about the administrative burdens they face in the years ahead. We are committing to work with the provider community to reexamine the pace at which HHS and the nation implement these important improvements to our health care system.”
For the full details please visit http://www.HHS.gov/news/press/2012pres/02/20120216a.html.
Thank you,
MediSYS
From M2 scheduling, how do I check a patient into to Patient Flow?
February 15th, 2012
From MediSYS PM ‘M2′ scheduling, you can check a patient into MediSYS EHR Patient Flow, by right clicking on the patient’s appointment then setting the arrival time.
2012 MediSYS Lunch and Learn – Register Now!
January 27th, 2012
We will be traveling over the state of Alabama and beyond to bring you up-to-the minute information on incentive programs: Electronic Health Records, ePrescribe, PQRS, Blue Cross Value-Based Payments
Lunch and presentation from 11:30 am- 1:30 pm
-
MediSYS EHR ‘Meaningful Use’ training from 2-4 pm (optional)
A ‘Special Guest’ from Blue Cross will be on hand to discuss the Primary Care Value-Based Payment!
**Click the links below or visit the monthly calendar to register on our website!**
When & Where
Montgomery- Arrowhead Country Club
Thursday, February 9th
Birmingham- Hampton Inn Hoover
Wednesday, February 15th
Thursday, February 23rd
Huntsville – Four Points Sheraton
Thursday, February 23rd
Columbus,GA / East AL – Wingate Hotel
Wednesday, March 7th
Wednesday, March 7th
Thank you,
MediSYS
Follow MediSYS for Physicians on:
Q: Are you possibly receiving the 1% eRx penalty in error?
January 27th, 2012
Date posted: 1/26/2012
A: Clients that feel they are receiving the 1% e-RX penalty in error, CMS has asked that they call Quality Net Help Desk at 866-288-8912 to appeal the penalty.
Review Medicare Remits for ‘LE’ eRX Payment Adjustment
December 28th, 2011
All Medicare providers are encouraged to review remittance advices for all services rendered in 2012 to ensure that they are not receiving a 1% eRX payment penalty in error.
IMPORTANT Notice:
Due to high volume of hardship exemption requests, it is not feasible for CMS to provide 2012 eRX Payment Adjustment (penalty) feedback reports. CMS is strongly encouraging
all eligible providers to carefully review their 2012 remittance advice for all services rendered in 2012. If a 1% payment adjustment is being taken in error, notify CMS immediately so they may reprocess the claims.
Look for “LE” on the remittance advise which indicates an eRX payment adjustment and the Claim Adjustment Reason Codes:
- CARC 237 – Legislated/Regulatory Penalty
- RARC N545 – Payment reduced based on status as an unsuccessful e-prescriber per eRX incentive program.
Also, note the 2012 eRX Incentive still requires the submission of 25, G-8553 on claims. The 2012 eRX incentive payment will be applied separately from any eRX payment adjustment.
http://www.medisysinc.com/eprescribe/2012-erx-incentive-program/
CMS Guide to Understanding eRX Payment Adjustment
CMS has delayed forcing 5010 requirements (90-day Discretion Period)
November 21st, 2011
CMS announced on Thursday November 17th that it will hold off until March 31, 2012, on enforcing its rule requiring the switch to using the ASC X12 Version 5010 standards for the electronic transmission of healthcare claims and other administrative communications. However, the Jan. 1, 2012 compliance deadline for Version 5010 will not be changed. Please read the statement issued by CMS: CMS’ statement.
CMS has stated its decision is “based on industry feedback revealing that, with only about 45 days remaining before the Jan. 1, 2012 compliance date, testing between some covered entities and their trading partners has not yet reached a threshold whereby a majority of covered entities would be able to be in compliance by January 1.”
Click here for a list of frequently asked question from CMS.
Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) will soon issue direction to the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) on how these transactions are to be processed on January 2, 2012. Further guidance related to Medicare Fee-for-Service will be available via listserv messages and the CMS website.
Please email MediSYS with an questions: support@medisysinc.com.
Thank you,
MediSYS
For Important Updates follow MediSYS for Physicians:
Medicaid Planned System Outage
November 07th, 2011
Alabama Medicaid will install updates to support 5010 and NCPDP D.O. transactions over the Veteran’s Day weekend as part of overall system upgrades.
The system outage is expected:
Friday, November 11, 2011 at 9:00 PM CST to Monday, November 14, 2011 at 6:00 AM CST
During this time, there will be no claims available via batch, interactive, PES or web portal, and AVRS will be down. The Electronic Media Claims (EMC) Helpdesk telephone line will provide updates throughout the weekend. The message will be updated as soon as the system is available. The EMC telephone number to contact is 1-800-456-1242.
Alabama State Immunization Information Systems (AL-IIS) Interface
November 03rd, 2011
11/3/2011 – MediSYS is pleased to announce the release of the Alabama State Immunization Information Systems (AL-IIS) Interface. The interface enables clinics to submit recorded immunizations to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) real-time upon completion. Clinics can also retrieve immunizations on file with AL-IIS which are displayed in the patient’s chart with the Immunization chart tab. This bi-directional interface provides real-time access to ADPH from within MediSYS Electronic Health Records (EHR). From a patient’s chart within MediSYS EHR, clinics can now submit immunizations to ADPH as a by-product of ordering and recording an immunization. The AL-IIS receives immunization information from claims submitted to Blue Cross and Medicaid, as well as provider entries into ImmPRINT and electronic health records.
The compilation of this immunization data allows clinics to view and print the patient’s State of Alabama Certificate of Immunization (Blue Slip) directly from MediSYS EHR. This comprehensive Blue Slip includes immunizations from the state registry and those in the MediSYS EHR patient chart. The ability to print the comprehensive ADPH Blue Slip is tremendously beneficial to pediatric and primary care groups since a blue slip is required for entry into day care, Head Start, and public or private schools.
Real-time access to state immunization records from MediSYS EHR eliminates the need for clinics to call ADPH or login to a separate website which saves time and streamlines patient care. This interoperability with a public health agency also satisfies a key measure for providers in obtaining ‘meaningful use’ of electronic health records.
The ADPH interface is a valuable addition to the many MediSYS interoperability partners which also includes external lab companies, 18+ Alabama hospitals, SureScripts, and more.
About MediSYS
MediSYS has been serving and partnering with healthcare providers throughout the state of Alabama providing practice management software. In 2005, MediSYS expanded its applications to include electronic prescribing and electronic health records (EHR).
MediSYS continues to lead the way in clinical technology across Alabama, adding new enhancements, vendor partnerships, products and services. Offering dependable, local service with the ability to quickly meet and exceed industry changes has been a strong factor in their presence in the Alabama healthcare market.
Celebrating over 25 years in business, MediSYS serves over 1,000 Alabama providers providing electronic health records, practice management systems and medical billing.
MediSYS EHR v1.0 has received the federal government’s “meaningful use” stamp of approval by earning Complete EHR certification. MediSYS EHR is also a CCHIT Certified health information technology provider, using a secure and affordable web-based platform.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969 www.medisysinc.com
CMS extended the eRX hardship exemption deadline to Nov. 8th
November 02nd, 2011
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that the deadline to request hardship exemptions from the 2012 penalty (1% payment reduction) has been extended to Tuesday Nov. 8th.
Eligible Professionals can submit their hardship exemption on the Quality Net website.
As a reminder, eligible professionals (EPs) must qualify for one or more of the following categories in order to submit a request for a hardship exemption by Nov. 8 to avoid the 2012 penalty which is a 1 percent payment reduction in 2012:
- Inability to electronically prescribe due to local, state, or federal law or regulation
- Limited prescribing activity
- Insufficient opportunities to report the electronic prescribing measure
- Practice in a rural area without sufficient high speed internet access
- Practice in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing
- Registered to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs for 2011 and have adopted Certified EHR technology
For more information on the CMS e-prescribing incentive program, visit the CMS eRX webpage.
Baldwin County Practice using MediSYS collects $54,000 in EHR incentives!
October 24th, 2011
Although not all incentive payments have been reported, those payments reported to MediSYS indicate our Alabama Providers have collected million dollars in incentive payments. And that number continues to grow every day as physicians report receiving their checks.
Providers from cities across the state of Alabama have received Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments. Plus, many Medicare providers have collected significant ePrescribe incentive payments, PQRS incentives and more. Specialties receiving incentive payments range from General Surgery, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Pain Management, Pediatricians, Podiatry, Physical Therapy to Urology.
Celebrating over 25 years in business, MediSYS serves over 1,000 Alabama providers providing electronic health records, practice management systems and medical billing.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969 MediSYS www.medisysinc.comMedicare providers have you met eRX claim or exemption requirements?
October 11th, 2011
Attention Medicare Providers:
Have you either:
1. Submitted 25 eRX G8553 codes on applicable claims in 2011 to indicate a qualified ePrescribing event
OR
2. Submitted hardship/exemption code via https://www.qualitynet.org/portal/server.pt/community/communications_support_system/234
(Tip: we have had reports that this link is not always accessible due to high volume, etc. so act quickly to meet the 11/1/11 deadline)
Also see September, 2011 CMS publication for changes to eRX 2011 program.
If you answered ‘No’ to both questions, contact us for information as soon as possible, but no later than 10/31/11.
Certification number fixed on the CMS hardship exemptions website
October 06th, 2011
CMS has fixed an issue on the CMS hardship exemption website. The web site did not permit eligible professionals to enter the complete 15 digit certification number. This has now been corrected and you can now resubmit your request and include the 15 digit certification number in the correct box.
On the same website, CMS hardship exemption, you have the ability to download Physician Quality Reporting System and E-prescribing Incentive Program feedback reports. CMS has said these reports will be released sometime in October. Eligible Professionals will also be able to check if they successfully submitted the minimum number of G-codes on claims from Jan. 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011 to avoid the 2012 penalty by requesting the “E-prescribing Payment Adjustment Feedback Report.”
** CMS has stated that the 1 percent penalty will be applied to all Medicare payments for exemptions that were not approved before Jan. 1, 2012. Once the exemption is approved, these claims would have to be reprocessed.
Click here for more information on submitting you eRX hardship exemption code:
http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/Downloads/Tips_for_Using_Communication_Support_Page_FINAL.pdf
New eRX Deadline for Hardship / Exemption
September 13th, 2011
CMS issues new hardship / exemption code and extends deadline to submit these codes. See: http://www.medisysinc.com/cms-release-changes-to-2011-erx-incentive-program/
Web Portal to submit request for hardship/exemption
CMS Announced Changes to 2011 eRX Incentive Program
August 31st, 2011
August 31, 2011…. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today they are finalizing the following changes to the 2011 eRX Incentive Program to address concerns related to hardship codes and EHR incentive programs.
1. Provide four additional hardship exemption categories for purposes of the 2012 payment adjustment. The eligible professional must demonstrate if one of the following applies:
- EP registered to participate in Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive programs & adopt certified EHR technology
- Inability to electronically prescribe due to local, state or federal regulations/law
- Limited ePrescribing activity, or
- Insufficient opportunities to report the eRX measure due to limitations of the measure’s denominator
2. Extend the deadline for hardship exemption request to November 1, 2011 for the two original hardship codes (G8642/ G8643) and the additional significant hardship exemption categories above.
3. Require submission of significant hardship exemption requests via web-based tool for individual EP (via letter for group reporting). To request an exemption go to:
https://www.qualitynet.org/portal/server.pt/community/communications_support_system/234
Final Rule: http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-22629_PI.pdf.
More information: http://blog.cms.gov/2011/08/31/greater-flexibility-in-e-prescribing-means-greater-success/
Providence Hospital & MediSYS EHR Interface Now Available
August 31st, 2011
August 26, 2011…..MediSYS is pleased to announce that the Providence Hospital Interface with MediSYS EHR is now available! This new interface with Providence Hospital allows practices using MediSYS EHR to receive lab documents electronically from the hospital.
Please let us know if you are interested in getting this interface setup at your practice!
Currently, MediSYS EHR has several other hospital interfaces including: Jacksonville Medical Center – Jacksonville, AL, ECM/Shoals Hospital – Florence, AL, Huntsville Hospital – Huntsville, AL, Druid City Hospital – Tuscaloosa, AL, Baptist Hospital – Montgomery, AL, Jackson Hospital – Montgomery, AL, Jacksonville Medical Center, Talladega, AL, East Alabama Medical Center – Auburn, AL, Southeast Alabama Medical Center – Dothan, AL, and Baptist Healthcare – Pensacola, FL (Atmore Hospital, Jay Hospital, and Baptist Hospitals). MediSYS EHR expects to release other hospital interfaces as well.
Jacksonville Medical Center EHR Interface Now Available
August 17th, 2011
Jacksonville Medical Center MediSYS EHR Interface
Birmingham, AL (August 15, 2011) –MediSYS is proud to announce today that Jacksonville Medical Center has become a new addition to MediSYS’ Electronic Health Record interface options. This new interface with Jacksonville Medical Center allows practices using MediSYS EHR to receive certain hospital documents electronically. The first site to use the interface will be Special Care for Women in Jacksonville, AL.
This Jacksonville Medical Center interface to MediSYS EHR will save physicians significant time and streamline patient care. The results are sent directly to the physicians inbox and associated with the patient’s electronic health record. This gives the physician faster access to the patients results and improves efficiency in the office workflow.
Currently, MediSYS EHR has several other hospital interfaces including: ECM Hospital – Florence, AL, Huntsville Hospital – Huntsville, AL, Druid City Hospital – Tuscaloosa, AL, Baptist Hospital – Montgomery, AL, Jackson Hospital – Montgomery, AL, East Alabama Medical Center – Auburn, AL, Southeast Alabama Medical Center – Dothan, AL, and Baptist Healthcare – Pensacola, FL (Atmore Hospital, Jay Hospital, and Baptist Hospitals). MediSYS EHR expects to release other hospital interfaces as well.
In addition, non-hospital interfaces currently available with MediSYS EHR include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Labcorp, Quest Diagnostics, Southern Diagnostic Laboratories, Doctors Laboratories, Skin Path, Cytopath, Bostwick Laboratories, SureScripts (ePrescribe), and others.
For more information about MediSYS Electronic Health Records and possible interfaces, contact MediSYS at 205.380.2003 or ehr@medisysinc.com.
MediSYS, a leader in practice management systems, electronic health records and medical billing services, serving over 1,200 Alabama physicians.
Media Contact: Kelly Cannon kcannon@medisysinc.com 205-631-5969
Exciting eRx Incentive News
August 04th, 2011
An Alabama Ophthalmologist using MediSYS ePrescribe received an eRX incentive payment this week from CMS for just under $8,000.
Also this week, a family practice provider in Clay County using MediSYS ePrescribe received an eRX incentive payment just under $10,000 from CMS.
Congratulations to these 2 practices! Over a quarter million and counting has been paid to Alabama providers using MediSYS ePrescribe. If you receive eRx Incentive payments, please let us know!
Family Practice Associates Receives EHR Incentive Payments
July 14th, 2011
Another confirmation of a Family Practice in Luverne, AL that has received their EHR Incentice payment in the amount of $42,500. The practice has a total of 3 providers. This practice uses ONC-Certified MediSYS EHR to reach their incentive payment goals and streamline their patient care.
Almost a quarter million and counting paid to Alabama providers using MediSYS: If you receive EHR Incentives, please let us know!
Family Practice Associates Receives EHR Incentive Payments
July 14th, 2011
Another confirmation of a Family Practice in Luverne, AL that has received their EHR Incentice payment in the amount of $42,500. The practice has a total of 3 providers. This practice uses ONC-Certified MediSYS EHR to reach their incentive payment goals and streamline their patient care.
Almost a quarter million and counting paid to Alabama providers using MediSYS: If you receive EHR Incentives, please let us know!
Two More Alabama Providers using MediSYS EHR Collect EHR Incentives
July 01st, 2011
Two busy pediatricians in a clinic located in Jasper, Alabama each received $21,250 in Medicaid EHR incentives. These incentives are intended to encourage providers to implement electronic health records to foster better patient care. These providers use ONC-Certified MediSYS EHR to streamline patient care and improve effectness within their office.
Two More Alabama Providers using MediSYS EHR Collect EHR Incentives
July 01st, 2011
June 28, 2011, Birmingham, AL
Two busy pediatricians in a clinic located in Jasper, Alabama each received $21,250 in Medicaid EHR incentives. These incentives are intended to encourage providers to implement electronic health records to foster better patient care. These providers use ONC-Certified MediSYS EHR to streamline patient care and improve effectness within their office.
BCBS Now Requires Correct NDC
June 28th, 2011
This week Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBS) deployed changes to require providers to include an NDC on claims filed for physician administered drugs which includes oncology drugs, vaccines, and inhalation drugs, etc.
In addition to the new NDC requirements, BCBS has also started validating every NDC submitted, even on procedure codes that do not require a NDC. So, if an invalid NDC code is submitted on ANY claim, it will be rejected.
- Claims that require an NDC that do not contain the needed NDC will be rejected on the audit trail.
- This edit currently exists for more than 100 procedure codes and will continue to expand.
- BCBS has notified providers through town meetings, direct calls and Provider Facts article.
- If an invalid NDC code is submitted on ANY claim, it will be rejected.
Questions? Visit https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/publications/providerFacts/2011-036.pdf
Shoals and ECM Hospitals select MediSYS as a Preferred Vendor
June 27th, 2011
Shoals and ECM Hospitals select MediSYS as a Preferred Vendor
MediSYS: focusing on what matters most to Alabama providers.
Birmingham, AL (June 27th, 2011) – MediSYS, an efficient electronic health record (EHR) and practice management (PM) vendor top ranked by clients and carriers, is selected as a preferred EHR provider by Shoals Hospital and Eliza Coffee Memorial (ECM) Hospital in the Shoals medical community.
The interface between MediSYS EHR and Shoals /ECM Hospital systems interface is expected to be released to provider’s late-June. MediSYS providers will electronically receive available Hospital documents delivered and sorted automatically into the correct tab in the patient’s chart, and additionally the documents will be delivered electronically to the provider’s inbox for review. This process will improve and streamline patient care for Shoals and ECM patients, and reduce provider and staff time and paper costs. The specially designed interface is at no up-front cost to MediSYS EHR providers.
“Shoals Hospital and Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, along with many area providers, evaluated several electronic health record applications. We are pleased to have selected MediSYS as a preferred vendor,” explains Ross Berry, CEO of Shoals Hospital. “In addition, MediSYS offers providers an automated and secure connection between the Shoals and ECM Hospitals’ patient treatment data and MediSYS EHR. This automated connection to hospital data helps providers better treat Shoals and ECM patients. This is an exciting time for Shoals Hospital /ECM Hospital and MediSYS. Establishing relationships with vendors such as MediSYS helps to simplify the purchasing phase and reduces the management of individual vendor contracts. Several providers in our area have already selected MediSYS EHR. MediSYS provides exceptional service and functionality to our member physiciansproviders.”
“We are thrilled to be selected as a preferred vendor by Shoals and ECM Hospitals,” said Mark Lewis, Senior Healthcare Information Systems Consultant at MediSYS. “This interface project between the Hospitals and MediSYS EHR seeks to improve the quality of care for ECM/Shoals patients and their providers. We believe the interface will significantly reduce labor, paper, and wait-time, costs for providers. The interface also is designed to reduce the hassles of pulling files within the process or re-routing the information to a foreign EHR. MediSYS EHR and ECM and Shoals Hospital are now engaged in an exciting interoperability with the goal to improve health care delivery in the Shoals area.”
About MediSYS
MediSYS has been serving and partnering with healthcare providers throughout the state of Alabama for the past 25 years providing practice management software. In 2005, MediSYS expanded its applications to include electronic prescribing and electronic health records (EHR).
MediSYS continues to lead the way in clinical technology across Alabama, adding new enhancements, vendor partnerships, products and services. Offering dependable, local service with the ability to quickly meet and exceed industry changes has been a strong factor in our presence in the Alabama healthcare market. MediSYS serves over 1,000 physicians encompassing approximately 650 practices in Alabama alone.
MediSYS EHR v1.0 has received the federal government’s “meaningful use” stamp of approval by earning Complete EHR certification. MediSYS EHR is also a CCHIT Certified health information technology provider, using a secure and affordable web-based platform.
Alabama Provider Receives $21,250 in Medicaid EHR Incentives
June 23rd, 2011
On June 22, another Alabama provider using MediSYS EHR received $21,250 in Medicaid EHR incentives. Adopting the ONC-Certified MediSYS EHR and meeting the Medicaid patient volume requirements qualified a busy pediatric provider and several other Alabama clinics for this incentive. After registering at the national and state level, providers who successfully complete the attestation process may receive up to $21,250 payment this year.
June 30th Deadline: eRX Tips
June 21st, 2011
June 30, 2011 eRX G-code Tips:
- The June 30 “deadline” is the date-of-service. Therefore, claims with the eRX G-code and applicable visit codes for DOS from Jan. 1 – June 30 can be submitted before the end of July in regards to the eRX Incentive/Penalty program.
- Claims cannot be re-submitted solely for the purpose of adding or correcting an eRX Gcode.
- Prescribed over-the-counter and durable medical equipment count towards an eRX event if it is associated with an applicable visit code.
- Electronically generated refills associated with an eligible face-to-face patient visit DO qualify as electronic prescribing. Electronically generated refills that are NOT associated with a face-to-face patient visit DO NOT qualify.
- Proposed changes to eRX Incentive / Penalty program are under consideration which includes extending the deadline to submit an eRX hardship Gcode until October, 2011. In addition, this proposed rule would exempt providers registered to participate in Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive programs. This proposed rule has not been finalized, so it is advisable to submit applicable G-codes (10+ times to avoid the penalty or 25+ times to qualify for incentives) as defined in the current 2011 eRX program.
Helpful Links:
June 21 – CMS National Provider Call: http://www.cms.gov/PQRS/04_CMSSponsoredCalls.asp#TopOfPage
http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/
Remember, to avoid the 2012 penalty (1% of Medicare revenue) or the 2013 penalty (1.5% of Medicare revenue) each eligible provider will need to report at least 10 e-prescriptions for Medicare patients by June 30, 2011 on claims associated with an eligible patient visit. The only other way to avoid penalties would be to submit an applicable ‘hardship code’ by June 30, 2011. Please see CMS for additional ePrescribing information and definition of hardship codes.
ePrescribing Controlled Substances Implementation
June 20th, 2011
Although the DEA gave their approval to allow electronic prescribing of controlled substances over a year ago, many steps still remain to make this a reality. The prescriber, the eprescribing application, intermediaries, pharmacies and pharmacy applications must all employ the required components to securely submit the necessary information. In addition, many states, including Alabama, have regulations that do not currently allow for the electronic prescribing of controlled substances.
CMS call on proposed changes to eRx incentive Program scheduled for June 21, 2011
June 09th, 2011
CMS has scheduled a national provider conference call June 21 to begin at 12:30pm CST to discuss the proposed changes to the Medicare Electronic Prescribing (e-prescribing) Incentive Program. The call is from 12:30pm until 2:00pm CST, on Tuesday June 21, 2011. They will discuss the proposed new hardship exemption categories.
Before June 30, 2011, Eligible professionals (EPs) not covered under a hardship exemption must submit 10 Gcodes (G8553) for Medicare patients on claims with the applicable visit.
To register for this call you can go to: http://www.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/062111
**The last day to register is June 20, 2011 at 12:30pm CST.
Federal Registry of Proposed eRX Incentive Program Changes
Warning: 2012 Medicare ePrescribing penalties based on 2011 claim submissions (prior to 6/30/11).
See http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/
An Overview of Provider Enrollment and PECOS Problems
June 01st, 2011
Below is helpful information and links provided by Cahaba GBA regarding PECOS and Provider Enrollment
An Overview of Provider Enrollment and PECOS Problems
Provider Outreach and Education conducted two (2) teleconferences on May 25, 2011 that focused on Provider Enrollment and PECOS. Did you miss them? If so, an encore recording for each event is available for you and your staff.
Chatting with Cahaba Part B (Part 1): An Overview of Provider Enrollment Morning Teleconference
-To access the recording, click on www.telspanevents.com/?meeting=2991943.
Chatting with Cahaba Part B (Part 2): Provider Enrollment and PECOS Problems Afternoon Teleconference
-To access the recording, click on www.telspanevents.com/?meeting=2733786.
In addition, an audio recording of each teleconference will be posted to the Part B Recordings in Cahaba University at http://knowledge.cahabagba.com/Centra-CKS/login/index.aspx?auto=0 and will be accessible around June 15, 2011.
Thank you, Provider Outreach and Education (POE) Cahaba GBA – J10 A/B MAC Cahaba GBA – Title XVIII Part B Carrier for MississippiMediSYS is Proud to Announce 25 Years in Business
May 25th, 2011
MediSYS for Physicians, Inc. is pleased to celebrate its 25th Anniversary in business as a locally owned and managed Alabama software company. MediSYS has been serving and partnering with healthcare providers throughout the state of Alabama for the past 25 years providing practice management software. In 2005, MediSYS expanded its applications to include electronic prescribing and electronic health records (EHR).
MediSYS has partnered with local major carriers including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Medicaid, Medicare contractor Cahaba GBA, and national clearinghouses to streamline claim and payment processing for providers. In addition, MediSYS EHR has received National and local recognition. MediSYS EHR v1.0 has received the federal government’s “meaningful use” stamp of approval by earning Complete EHR certification. MediSYS EHR is also a CCHIT Certified health information technology provider, using a secure and affordable web-based platform. Chosen as a ‘Select Vendor’ for the Alabama Regional Extension Center (ALREC), MediSYS serves over 1,000 physicians encompassing approximately 650 practices in Alabama alone.
“We would like to take this opportunity to not only celebrate, but also thank all of our customers for their continued loyalty and trust in this ever-changing healthcare market,” commented Mike Sims, President, MediSYS for Physicians. “MediSYS has some exciting new components that are not available with any other application. The new features, such as integration with the state immunization registry will help providers readily access important health information.”
MediSYS continues to lead the way in clinical technology across Alabama, adding new enhancements, vendor partnerships, products and services. Offering dependable, local service with the ability to quickly meet and exceed industry changes has been a strong factor in our presence in the Alabama healthcare market.
MediSYS also continues to provide hands-on services for providers who are working towards Meaningful Use and other government incentive plans. Our philosophy has always been to provide clients training and continued education and support beyond the implementations typically offered by our national competitors.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine may be counted for purposes of the Electronic Prescribing (eRx)
May 25th, 2011
If an eligible professional electronically prescribes over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, will this be counted for purposes of the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program?
Published 05/11/2011 02:09 PM | Updated 05/12/2011 02:07 PM | Answer ID 10636
If an eligible professional sends an eRx (via a qualified eRx system) to the pharmacy electronically (for a denominator-eligible visit) then the eRx event would count–even for an OTC medicine. The key is the prescription needs to be sent electronically to a receiving entity and the system needs to be able to check for the dose, and drug-drug interactions, etc., if they are available, just like for a regular eRx.
Also See http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/
Important: Be sure to submit on applicable claims the eRX G-code (G8553) BEFORE June 30, 2011
Time is running out! Less than 37 days left to avoid electronic prescribing penalties.
The deadline for eligible Medicare providers to avoid ePrescribing penalties is June 30, 2011!
To avoid the 2012 payment adjustment you need to successfully e-prescribe for Medicare patients 10 times before June 30, 2011 (and 25 times by the end of the year 2011) using claims-based reporting. Each applicable visit must include the eRX G-code (G8553) on claims with the appropriate office visit code, attesting that during the patient visit at least one prescription was electronically prescribed. E-prescribed refills and faxed prescriptions do not qualify as electronic prescriptions.
Any applicable hardship or exemption codes must be filed prior to the June 30th, 2011 deadline as well.
Also note: To qualify for the 2011 eRX incentive, eligible professionals must report G-code G8553 for at least 25 unique patient eRX events that are associated with certain procedure codes.
Please visit http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive for more information about the program.
Also, learn more during one of our upcoming ePrescribe webinars. Register online at one of the links below.
June 7 – ePrescribe Tour: On-Line / Duration: 30 Minutes
June 9 – ePrescribe Class: On-Line / Duration: 45 Minutes
Questions? visit http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/ or Contact us.
MediSYS www.medisysinc.comChange in Payment Schedule due to Cahaba GBA General Ledger Transition
May 05th, 2011
Medicare Administrator, Cahaba Government Benefits Administration (GBA), began a general ledger system transition May 5. This transition initially removed the Medicare payment floor resulting in earlier than usual payments. From May 5 to May 10, no payments are being made by Cahaba GBA. Electronic Remittance Advices (ERAs) and paper RAs will also not be available during this time. Normal payment processing schedules are to resume May 10, along with the availability of ERAs.
Providers are encouraged to submit claims for processing as usual. Initially, providers will see an increase in payments, followed by a significant decrease on May 10.
For more details, contact Cahaba GBA, Medicare Part B Provider Outreach and Education or visit their website at https://www.cahabagba.com/part_b/higlas.htm.
CMS Now Allows for Designated Individual to Attest on Behalf of Provider
May 02nd, 2011
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) now allows an eligible professional (EP) to designate another person to register or attest on their behalf for Medicare EHR Incentives.
According to CMS, for a user to register or attest on behalf of an EP, they must have an Identity and Access Management System (I&A) web user account (User ID/Password) and be associated to the EP’s NPI. For those working on behalf of an EP(s), establish a web user account at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/IASecurityCheck.do
For more information about the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, please visit http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms.
Alabama Medicaid EHR Incentive Registration: Re-Opening April 18
April 18th, 2011
After correcting some technicail issues, Alabama Medicaid EHR Incentive Registration is now open as of April 18th. Per Medicaid, the delay in the ability to register will push early payments to mid-May.
To enroll in Medicaid EHR Incentives, providers must first register at the National Level Registration at: https://ehrincentives.cms.gov/hitech/login.action. Then continue registration at Alabama Medicaid EHR Registration: http://al.arraincentive.com/
Medicaid volume requirements and other criteria determine provider eligibility. Note: if your Medicaid volume is near the required thresholds, contact Medicaid for possible non-claim-based volume.
Register to Tour of MediSYS EHR: If you are interested in seeing a tour of MediSYS EHR or MediSYS ePrescribe.
Alabama Medicaid Holding EHR Incentive Webinars
March 29th, 2011
Alabama Medicaid’s One Health Record meeting calendar for April includes several dates for provider Webinars.
Below is a link that contains the webinar dates. If you are considering participation in Alabama Medicaid EHR Incentives, please mark your calendar and watch for registration information.
http://onehealthrecord.alabama.gov/ORCalendar/Default.aspx
Other important EHR Incentive links:
http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/ http://onehealthrecord.alabama.gov/ http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive Contact us at ehr@medisysinc.comAlabama Medicaid EHR Incentive Registration Opens Next Week
March 23rd, 2011
If you are an eligible provider with 30% Medicaid patient volume, you could receive a Medicaid EHR Incentive check for $21,250 as soon as this year. Alabama Medicaid’s goal is to issue separate checks approximately 30 days after approved attestation which can begin April 1.
- April 1 Alabama Medicaid EHR Incentive Registration Opens
- First Year (as soon as 2011):
- $21,250 possible incentive amount per provider
- Medicaid Does Not Require ‘Meaningful Use’ First Year
- Incentive Checks expected approximately 30 Days after attesting
- Pediatricians may be eligible with 20% Medicaid patient volume for 2/3 incentive payment amount.
Unlike the Medicare EHR Incentive program, Medicaid does not require ‘Meaningful Use’ in the first year. Instead, Medicaid’s first-year-focus is on eligible providers to either: Adopt, Implement, or Upgrade certified technology. Medicaid has provided a one page document that defines this and other aspects of this program. Also, additional information is available at: http://onehealthrecord.alabama.gov/
Please feel free to contact us for assistance in determining initial Medicaid patient volumes or to explore adopting (acquire, purchase or secure access) certified MediSYS Electronic Health Record technology.
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Medicaid Offers “Jump Start” Link for EHR Incentive
March 16th, 2011
Alabama Medicaid’s One Health Records website: http://onehealthrecord.alabama.gov/providers.aspx now offers a “Jump Start” link to help providers prepare for registration in EHR Incentives.
Below is this “Jump Start” link that includes a workbook for providers to use to determine eligibility and prepare for on-line registration in Alabama Medicaid EHR Incentives.
http://al.arraincentive.com/jumpstart.aspx
Alabama Medicaid EHR Incentive registration is scheduled to open April 1, 2011.
Action Needed by 6/30/11 To Avoid 2012 eRX Penalty
February 25th, 2011
This week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) circulated the email notification below to remind Medicare providers how to avoid the 2012 eRx Payment Adjustment.
To avoid the 2012 eRX penalty, action is needed by June 30, 2011.
Reporting G-Code Overview:
- Before 6/30/11 to avoid penalty eligible professionals must submit Gcode 8553 at least 10 applicable times.
- To qualify for the 2011 eRX incentive, eligible professionals must report the appropriate Gcode G8553 for at least 25 unique patient eRX events that are associated with certain procedure codes.
- Hardship and exemption Gcodes should be submitted as applicable before 6/30/11.
- Medicare EHR incentive participants do not quality for eRX incentive, but MUST submit Gcode 8553 as applicable to avoid 2012 penalty before 6/30/11.
- See more information below and G-code reporting specifics at http://www.cms.gov/erxincentive.
2011 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Reminder-
In November, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that, beginning in calendar year 2012, eligible professionals who are not successful electronic prescribers based on claims submitted between January 1, 2011 – June 30, 2011, may be subject to a payment adjustment on their Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) covered professional services. Section 132 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) authorizes CMS to apply this payment adjustment whether or not the eligible professional is planning to participate in the eRx Incentive Program.
From 2012 through 2014, the payment adjustment will increase each calendar year. In 2012, the payment adjustment for not being a successful electronic prescriber will result in an eligible professional or group practice receiving 99% of their Medicare Part B PFS amount that would otherwise apply to such services. In 2013, an eligible professional or group practice will receive 98.5% of their Medicare Part B PFS covered professional services for not being a successful electronic prescriber in 2011 or as defined in a future regulation. In 2014, the payment adjustment for not being a successful electronic prescriber is 2%, resulting in an eligible professional or group practice receiving 98% of their Medicare Part B PFS covered professional services.
The payment adjustment does not apply if <10% of an eligible professional’s (or group practice’s) allowed charges for the January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011 reporting period are comprised of codes in the denominator of the 2011 eRx measure.
Please note that earning an eRx incentive for 2011 will NOT necessarily exempt an eligible professional or group practice from the payment adjustment in 2012.
How to Avoid the 2012 eRx Payment Adjustment
- Eligible professionals – An eligible professional can avoid the 2012 eRx Payment Adjustment if (s)he:
- Is not a physician (MD, DO, or podiatrist), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant as of Jun 30, 2011 based on primary taxonomy code in NPPES;
- Does not have prescribing privileges. Note: (S)he must report (G8644) at least one time on an eligible claim prior to June 30, 2011;
- Does not have at least 100 cases containing an encounter code in the measure denominator;
- Becomes a successful e-prescriber; and
- Reports the eRx measure for at least 10 unique eRx events for patients in the denominator of the measure.
- Group Practices – For group practices that are participating in eRx GPRO I or GPRO II during 2011, the group practice MUST become a successful e-prescriber.
- Depending on the group’s size, the group practice must report the eRx measure for 75-2,500 unique eRx events for patients in the denominator of the measure.
For additional information, please visit the “Getting Started” webpage at http://www.cms.gov/erxincentive on the CMS website for more information; or download the Medicare’s Practical Guide to the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program under Educational Resources.
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Note If you know someone who would like to subscribe to a Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) provider listserv, go to (http://www.cms.gov/prospmedicarefeesvcpmtgen/downloads/Provider_Listservs.pdf).
If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific provider listserv, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?INDEX) to unsubscribe or to leave the appropriate listserv.
MediSYS EHR ONC-ATCB Certification
January 28th, 2011
MediSYS EHR v1.0 has received the federal government’s “meaningful use” stamp of approval by earning Complete EHR certification. The designation officially deems the electronic health record (EHR) software capable of enabling providers to qualify for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Tested and certified under the Drummond Group’s Electronic Health Records Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) program, the EHR software is 2011/2012 compliant in accordance with the criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It is expected that this certification will be listed on the ONC website at http://onc-chpl.force.com/ehrcert within the next few weeks.
Drummond Group’s ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 certification program tests and certifies that EHRs meet the meaningful use criteria for either eligible provider or hospital technology. In turn, healthcare providers using the EHR systems of certified vendors are qualified to receive federal stimulus monies upon demonstrating meaningful use of the technology — a key component of the federal government’s push to improve clinical care delivery through the adoption and effective use of EHRs by U.S. healthcare providers. MediSYS EHR, which met the requirements for Complete EHR, is an ambulatory electronic health record application that supports over various specialties with client installations in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. “The need to leverage information technology in the healthcare industry is huge – as the quality of care and efficiency benefits that come with computerization can really make a difference in the overall patient experience. We’re ready to help transform the industry by providing the sophisticated software testing services that ensure that vendors and hospitals are offering systems that are capable of meeting the meaningful use standards required to obtain incentive funds as well as the rich functionality required to move the clinical care needle forward,” says Rik Drummond, CEO of the Drummond Group. “We have been testing software for more than a decade and are ready to leverage our extensive experience handling sophisticated systems in complex industries as well as dealing with complicated technical issues such as interoperability and security.”
This Complete EHR is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified by Drummond Group, an ONC-ATCB approved to certify any complete or modular EHR both ambulatory and inpatient, in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments. Vendor name, Date Certified, Product Version, Certification ID number, Clinical Quality Measures Certified, any additional software relied upon to certify, where applicable the certification criteria to which each EHR modules has been tested and certified.
About MediSYS
MediSYS EHR v 1.0 Certification #01212011‐3607‐6 for use in registering for Meaningful Use Incentives
MediSYS is an Alabama based medical software company that provides clinics electronic health record and practice management application services designed to streamline office operations for effective and efficient patient care at an affordable price. MediSYS is leading the effort to revolutionize healthcare technology in the State of Alabama, working with national, state, and local business partners to improve patient care.
About Drummond Group
Drummond Group Inc., the trusted software test lab, provides effective and efficient electronic health record (EHR) testing to healthcare information technology vendors and hospitals. As an Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB), Drummond Group works closely with healthcare software vendors and hospitals to certify EHRs that are looking to qualify for incentive funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Drummond Group is approved to certify both complete and modular EHR for both ambulatory and inpatient. Leveraging more than a decade’s worth of interoperability, conformance testing and certification experience in multiple industries, Drummond Group delivers what’s needed in healthcare: highly reliable and readily affordable software testing services. For more information, go to www.drummondgroup.com.
MediSYS Partners with Alabama Regional Extension Center
January 21st, 2011
The University of South Alabama Center for Strategic Health Innovation (USA CSHI), representing a statewide consortium of partners and stakeholders, was recently awarded a cooperative agreement to serve as the Alabama Regional Extension Center, or ALREC. Partners and stakeholders include The University of South Alabama, Alabama Medicaid Agency, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, Alabama Hospital Association, Alabama Primary Healthcare Association, Alabama Academy of Family Physicians, Alabama Academy of Pediatrics, the JHD Group and Management and Medical Consulting Services, Inc. ALREC will serve as an advocate for Alabama physicians and deliver services to assist providers in moving from paper to electronic health records and in achieving Meaningful Use status.
Membership in ALREC is open to all providers in Alabama and provides access to services such as group purchasing discounts, EHR adoption assistance, assistance with education and training, workflow analysis and project management, interfaces to HIEs and more. ALREC will provide education and vendor neutral direct technical assistance to ensure that providers in Alabama will be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid incentive reimbursements. Whether you already have an electronic health record in place or not, the comprehensive technical expertise available within ALREC will ensure your practice successfully implements EHR, meets Meaningful Use requirements, and receive incentives potentially up to $67,300 per provider.
Federal funding under the cooperative agreement is targeted to “Priority Primary Care Providers” (PPCPs), or providers in practices of 10 or less who specialize in primary care, family practice, obstetrics, gynecology, geriatrics, or internal medicine. However, all providers who join ALREC will receive adoption and implementation services at significantly reduced rates. Funding is provided by The ARRA Act of 2009, HIT-09-003 (CFDA #93.718) To encourage enrollment of PPCPs, ALREC has agreed to waive membership fees for the first 1,000 PPCPs through April, 2011. This is a unique opportunity for primary care providers in Alabama, so act now to ensure you are able to take advantage of the services offered by ALREC. For more information, please contact ALREC: Alabama Regional Extension Center (ALREC) 307 University Blvd./TRP III, Suite 1100 Mobile, Alabama 36688 Phone: (251) 414-8170 Fax: (251) 414-8171 Website: www.al-rec.org Email: info@al-rec.orgMedicaid EHR Incentive Registration for Alabama Providers To Begin April, 2011
January 12th, 2011
According to a notification from Medicaid, Medicaid EHR incentive registration for Alabama providers will begin in April, 2011. Below is a notification dated 1/12/11 from Alabama Medicaid:
State providers need to prepare for EHR incentive payment registration
While national registration for federal electronic health record incentive payments has begun on the national level, Alabama providers will need to wait until April 1, 2011, to register for the program, popularly known as “meaningful use.” Alabama had originally hoped to participate in first-round testing with the federal National Level Repository; however, Alabama is now in line to test for state registration to begin in April.
State registration is the final step for Medicaid providers who hope to receive up to $63,750 over a five year period for implementing and using electronic health records and related technologies in a prescribed manner.
To receive the payments, providers must begin the registration process at the national level, and then complete state-level registration and attestation. State level registration, however, cannot be completed until the Alabama’s registration system is operational in April, according to Kim Davis-Allen, state health information technology coordinator.
During this interim period, Alabama providers are encouraged to prepare now to register by ensuring that they have all of the required numbers that will be needed to register. Davis-Allen noted that eligible providers will need an active National Provider Identifier (NPI), and have a National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) web user account. The CMS website contains comprehensive information of the information needed for the national registration process.
Other preliminary steps providers may want to consider include contacting the University of South Alabama, the state’s Regional Extension Center, for assistance in assessing the electronic health records needs of the practice, help in selecting a certified vendor and training and educational opportunities.
Updates, announcements and additional information is available at www.onehealthrecord.alabama.gov
Links: Regional Extension Center: http://www.al-rec.org/ or by phone at 251-414-8170
Federal site: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/
Alabama One of 15 States to Receive Bonus
December 27th, 2010
Alabama was among the 15 states that qualified to receive a bonus for making significant progress in enrolling more uninsured children in Medicaid. Of the $206 million awarded, Alabama received the largest amount totaling $54,965,407. Wisconsin received the second largest amount of $23,076,127. According to a news release today from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the announcement that states who met the two performance goals qualified for the bonus. Among the performance goals, states had to increase the enrollment among children during the year above and beyond what would have been expected.
The release may be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/12/20101227a.html
ONC Adds Two More EHR Certification Bodies
December 14th, 2010
House Passed Halt to Medicare Pay Cut
December 13th, 2010
The House passed a bill that would prevent the significant 25% Medicare pay cut for physicians in 2011. Expected to be signed by President Obama, this bill would eliminate Medicare fee schedule cuts during 2011. After multiple attempts in 2010 to cut the Medicare reimbursement rates were delayed, this one-year moratorium is expected to keep some physicians from reducing their Medicare patient-base.
PECOS Edits Will Not be Turned on Effective Jan. 3, 2011
December 02nd, 2010
CMS previously announced that, beginning January 3, 2011, if certain Part B billed items and services require an ordering/referring provider and the ordering/referring provider is not in the claim, is not of a profession that is permitted to order/refer, or does not have an enrollment record in the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), the claim will not be paid. On November 26, 2010 they revised this with the following statement: The automated edits will not be turned on effective January 3, 2011. We are working diligently to resolve enrollment backlogs and other system issues and will provide ample advanced notice to the provider and beneficiary communities before we begin any automatic nonpayment actions.
For details visit – http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1011.pdf
ePrescribing First Six Months 2011 Required to Avoid Penalty in 2012
November 29th, 2010
By now most providers are aware that in order to receive an ePrescribing incentive certain requirements for at least 25 unique ePrescribing events must be met. But what some may not realize is that CMS will determine which eligible professionals (EP) are subject to a payment penalty in 2012 based on claims data from Jan. 1, 2011 – June 30, 2011. CMS will analyze the claims during the first six months of 2011 to determine if the EP has submitted at least 10 electronic prescriptions with the G-code 8553. If not a 1% payment adjustment will occur with regard to the EPs Part B-covered professional services. Hardship exemptions may be requested using a ‘hardship’ G-code.
To receive a 2011 ePrescribe Incentive, eligible professionals:
- 1% Incentive Payment (not applicable to professional receiving 2011 incentive from Medicare EHR Incentive Program*.)
- Must use a qualified eRX system
- Report the 2011 eRX measure of G8553 with a qualified procedure code
- Report this G8553 for at least 25 unique eRX events with the applicable denominator during the reporting period
- At least 10% of the eligible professional’s charges based on codes:-Denominator – 90801, 90802, 90804, 90805, 90806, 90807, 90808, 90809, 90862, 92002, 92004, 92012, 92014, 96150, 96151, 96152, 99201, 99202, 99203, 99204, 99205, 99211, 99212, 99213, 99214, 99215, 99304, 99305, 99306, 99307, 99308, 99309, 99310, 99315, 99316, 99324, 99325, 99326, 99327, 99328, 99334, 99335, 99336, 99337, 99341, 99342, 99343, 99344, 99345, 99347, 99348, 99349, 99350, G0101, G0108, G0109
*Important Note: Providers who elect to participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program do not qualify for ePrescribe incentives but must also report the ePrescribe G-code on at least 10 unique eRX events in 2011 to avoid an eRX payment adjustment in 2012.
Please refer often to http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/ as more information regarding ePrescribing incentives.
****REMINDER - it is not too late to participate in 2010 ePrescribe incentives. Contact us for details.
Medicare Fee Cut Postponed
November 22nd, 2010
On November 18, the Senate passed a one-month postponement for the 23% Medicare fee cut that was scheduled to take effect December 1. With House approval, this bill will delay the 23% pay cut, but January 1, 2011, physicians still face a 25% cut in reimbursements from Medicare. The American Medical Association is pushing Congress for a one-year delay in hopes the additional time will allow for a better solution to the troubled Medicare payment system. The House is expected to vote after the Thanksgiving on November 29.
Blue Cross New Value-Based Payment Program Qualifying Deadline Nov. 30
October 29th, 2010
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Alabama recently sent a notice to providers regarding their new Value-Based Payment (VBP) Program. Physicians who qualify and perform at or above performance measures will be eligible to earn 5% above the base PMD fee schedule for certain E&M and preventive care services beginning January 2011.
To qualify, providers must meet certain criteria by November 30. This includes eligible initial specialties of Family Practice, Internal Medicine, General Medicine, Geriatrics and Pediatrics. In addition, providers must meet the following:
- PMD network participant (at least one year)
- File BCBS claims electronically
- Receive payments via electronic funds transfer.
- Provide 24/7 Coverage
- Sign/return agreement (to be mailed mid-November)
Note the initial codes and services that may be eligible for the 5% supplemental payment are:
- E&M – 99201-99205 & 99211-99215
- Preventive – 99381-99387,99391-99397 & G0402
Providers can view performance related criteria at www.bcbsal.com login to Provider Access. BCBS will post a scorecard December 17. Prior to this, providers may review their performance related indicators after login to BCBS Provider Access. More information is available at: https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/valueBasedInitiatives.cfm
Partial ICD-10 Code Freeze Announced
October 27th, 2010
A welcomed decision was finalized at a September 15th meeting of the ICD-9-CM Coordination & Maintenance Committee to implement a partial freeze for both ICD-9-CM codes and ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes.
Prior to implementation of ICD-10 on October 1, 2013
- The last regular annual update to both ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets will be made on October 1, 2011.
- On October 1, 2012 there will be only limited code updates to both ICD-9- CM and ICD- 10 code sets to capture new technology and new diseases.
- There will be no updates to ICD-9 -CM on October 1, 2013 as the system will no longer be a HIPAA standard.
On October 1, 2014 regular updates to ICD-10 will begin.
More information is available at: http://www.cms.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/03_meetings.asp
CMS Now Releasing 2009 ePrescribe Payments
September 30th, 2010
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is now releasing payments for the 2009 ePrescribing incentives. Distribution of these payments is expected to be completed by October 22, 2010. Payments are being made in a lump-sum to the Tax ID number in which the claims were submitted. This payment remittance advice will read “This is an eRX incentive payment” and it will include an LE indicator to indicate that it is an incentive payment. In addition, a four digit code of RX09 will indicate the type of incentive (ePrescribe) on the electronic remittance advise.
The 2009 eRX feedback reports will not be available until sometime in mid-November. These feedback reports will be available at https://www.qualitynet.org/portal/server.pt/community/pqri_home/212
During the distribution timeframe, CMS has instructed the practices to direct questions to their Provider Contact Center. A directory of Provider Contact Centers may be found on the CMS website.
For questions regarding PQRI or eRX measure-specific questions, call The QualityNet Help Desk at 1-866-288-8912.
CMS to Announce Minor Revisions to Final Meaningful Use Rule
September 27th, 2010
CMS is expected to publish minor revisions and clarification to the final ‘meaningful use’ requirements published in July. These modifications are expected to provide more guidance on meeting the quality measures included in the program. Although no other specifics were provided, according to CMS these modifications are to correct some inconsistencies and will be posted soon to http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms
Get the facts on meaningful use incentives, Read More>>
ONC Names Third Authorized Testing & Certification Company
September 21st, 2010
InfoGard Laboratories, Inc., San Luis Obispo, Calif. has been named as an ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB). This expands the options for EHR vendors for selecting who will test and certify their applications to meet the standards related to HITECH incentives. Eligible providers who use certified EHR technology in a meaningful manner could qualify to receive up to $44,000 under the Medicare program and almost $64,000 under the Medicaid program.
The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®) and The Drummond Group, Inc. were the first two organizations authorized as ONC-ATCBs in late August, 2010. It is expected that additional organizations may be authorized as other applications are under review.
Information about the Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, may be found at http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms .
“Meaningful Use” EHR Certification Bodies Announced
August 31st, 2010
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced at least two companies have been named as an Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ATCB) to certify Electronic Health Records technology software applications for the ‘meaningful use’ requirements for Stage 1 incentives. The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®) and The Drummond Group, Inc. are the first to be named by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to test and certified EHR technology that is necessary for providers to qualify for incentives. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act created incentives to encourage providers to adopt and use an EHR in a defined meaningful manner with the ultimate goal to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
As an EHR vendor, MediSYS is excited to see the identification of these certification bodies so we can move forward with the process of helping providers achieve meaningful use incentives while streamlining patient care.
For more information about the ONC certification programs visit http://healthit.hhs.gov/certification.
CMS National Provider Call for ICD-10 on September 13
August 19th, 2010
CMS will host a national provider conference call on “ICD-10 Implementation in a 5010 Environment”. This call will be held on Monday, September 13 and will include a review basic information on ICD-10 and 5010. A question and answer session will be held at the end of the call. Medical coders, physician office staff, provider billing staff, health records staff, vendors, educators, system maintainers and all Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) providers are encouraged to attend. Registration is required and will close at 11:00 am CST on September 10, 2010, or when space has been filled. To register for the call go to: http://www.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/091310
When: Monday, September 13, 2010 Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 p.m. CST
Agenda:
- ICD-10 implementation for services provided on and after October 1, 2013
- Differences between ICD-10 and ICD-9-CM codes
- ICD-10-CM basic information for all users
- Tools for converting codes – General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs)
- Proposal to freeze ICD-9-CM and ICD-10 code updates except for new technologies and diseases
HIPAA Version 5010
- Compliance dates and timelines (No contingencies)
- 5010 before and after ICD-10 Implementation
- Readiness review for implementing HIPAA version 5010 and D.0
- What you need to be doing to prepare
- Medicare fee-for-service activities update
- Other issues and considerations
Conference Title: ICD-10 Implementation in a 5010 Environment Follow-Up National Provider Call
CCHIT Applies with ONC to Become an Authorized Testing and Certification Body
July 28th, 2010
In a recent news release, CCHIT, the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology, announced that they have applied with the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) to become an Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ATCB-ONC). The ONC plans to have multiple certification bodies that will test EHR technology to ensure the software applications will enable providers to qualify for ’meaningful use’ incentives. CCHIT in a voluntary organization that has been certifying EHR technology since 2006. Due to this experience and their readiness to meet the technical requirements, CCHIT expects to be among the first to become authorized to provide ARRA certification.
Requirements for ePrescribing of Controlled Substances Under Analysis by SureScripts
July 23rd, 2010
Although the DEA has given their approval to allow for electronic prescribing of controlled substances, the DEA technical requirements to do so involve several layers. Prior to electronic prescribing of controlled substances, pharmacies, providers and vendors will need to implement extensive security and technical measures. As a result, pharmacies are not expected to see their first electronically prescribed schedule II, III, IV and V drugs before at least year-end. SureScripts, the nation’s largest e-prescribing network, is working closely with pharmacies, health plans, vendors, etc. to analyze and act on the DEA’s requirements. For now, providers are to continue their current method of prescribing controlled substances.
Final Rules To Support ‘Meaningful Use’ of Electronic Health Records Announced
July 13th, 2010
In a press release issued July 13, 2010, CMS and ONC made a joint announcement regarding the final rules to support ‘Meaningful Use’ of Electronic Health Records which may qualify eligible providers to receive as much as either $44,000 under Medicare or $63,750 under Medicaid.
The final rules now include more flexibility to providers in Stage 1 with 15 required ”core” criteria and a menu of provider-selected criteria. The “menu” for provider-selection contains 10 items and providers select and comply with at least 5. Also, the final rule reflects reductions in the thresholds for electronic prescribing and quality measures from the proposed rule. Stage 1 is categorized as “data capture and sharing” with the goal to collect electronic health data in a coded format as well as report health information for tracking key clinical conditions.
In addition, the final rules include the technical requirements for certified technology. CMS has issued a fact sheet with additional details at www.cms.gov/apps/media/fact_sheet.asp MediSYS is pleased that the final rules have been defined and we are committed to ensuring that MediSYS EHR encompasses the technical components for certified technology.
For the complete press release from Secretary Sebelius visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100713a.html
MediSYS Plans for Alabama-Centered Physician Information Network
July 13th, 2010
Birmingham/Montgomery, Alabama, July 13, 2010……As part of the strong commitment to facilitate the activities surrounding health information exchange, MediSYS has announced plans to release the MediSYS Physician Information Network in the first quarter of 2011. This MediSYS Physician Information Network will allow providers treating mutual patients to share pertinent health information electronically. Quickly and securely sharing information within a network of providers such as labs and diagnostic information, office notes, hospital documents, patient demographics, etc. will assist providers in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient.
This physician information network streamlines the referral process by making provider-selected information immediately available to the referred-to physician. In addition, clinical data generated by the referred-to physician may be electronically transmitted back to original referring physician or onto another physician group if needed. This immediate access to patient information eliminates the need for the clinic to print, fax, scan, and mail the relevant information. The result is a huge savings in human resources and helps streamline patient care which is a major element in healthcare initiatives.
MediSYS has already established and implemented a high level of connectivity across the healthcare community in Alabama. With the current MediSYS EHR interoperability with 18 hospitals all over state, national and local lab reference companies, SureScripts, Medicaid Together for Quality, and others, providers already have access to a wealth of patient health information. With current electronic health record system links to over 300 Alabama providers, it is a logical extension for MediSYS to offer a network among physicians to share health information generated within the clinic. The addition of the MediSYS Physician Information Network is expected to become a significant resource to further enhance initiatives to foster information exchange across the state and across the nation.
MediSYS is 100% dedicated to improving the workflow and revenue of physicians, and has been for over twenty years. MediSYS serves more than a thousand physicians through medical practice management software, electronic health records, medical billing services and practice management services.
CMS Did Not Implement July 6 PECOS Deadline
July 09th, 2010
Due to provider concerns surrounding PECOS enrollment issues, CMS will not implement the July 6 PECOS deadline. According to the email notification below from CMS, for payment for claims will not be affected by PECOS enrollment.
CMS TO REVIEW PECOS ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Medicare Working with Ordering and Referring Providers and Suppliers to Streamline Enrollment Process
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working with providers to address concerns about enrollment in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries continue to receive the health care services and items they need. PECOS is the electronic system used to enroll physicians and eligible professionals into the Medicare program.
As part of those efforts, CMS will, for the time being, not implement changes that would automatically reject claims based on orders, certifications, and referrals made by providers that have not yet had their applications approved by July 6, 2010. While more than 800,000 physicians and other health professionals have enrolled and have approved applications in the PECOS system, some providers have encountered problems. CMS is continuing to update and streamline the process, and more providers have been enrolled in the past few days.
CMS issued an interim final regulation on May 5, 2010 implementing provisions of the Affordable Care Act that permit only a Medicare enrolled physician or eligible professional to certify or order home health services, durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies
(DMEPOS) , and certain items and services under Medicare Part B. The new law applies to orders, referrals and certifications made on or after July 1.
The comment period for the regulation closes on July 6, after which the comments will be reviewed and considered before a final regulation is issued.
The Affordable Care Act provisions and the regulation were designed as steps to prevent fraud in Medicare by ensuring that only eligible and identifiable providers and suppliers can order and refer covered items and services to Medicare beneficiaries.
Many physicians and other providers and suppliers have continued to make good faith efforts to comply with the requirements of the law and regulation. These efforts will be a significant factor in determining the procedures and processes that will be incorporated in the final rule.
While the regulation will be effective July 6, 2010, CMS will not implement automatic rejections of claims submitted by providers that have attempted to enroll in PECOS. However, until the automatic rejections are operational, providers should not see any change in the processing of submitted claims, they will continue to be reviewed and paid as they have historically been reviewed and paid.
Additionally, though CMS is taking a more deliberative approach to using the PECOS enrollment system, the agency will employ a contingency plan to meet the ACA requirement that written orders and certifications are only issued by eligible professionals effective July 1.
CMS will continue to send informational notices to providers reminding them of the need to submit or update their enrollment and will work with the provider community to provide guidance on enrollment and will process all applications expeditiously.
Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee Medicare Claims Processing to Merge
June 28th, 2010
Cahaba GBA, the J10 A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, announced in a recent email notification that they will merge three claims processing environments by August 3. Below is their notification:
Dear Medicare Part B Providers,
Multi-Carrier System Merge for J10 Providers (Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee)
Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators,® LLC currently has three Multi-Carrier System (MCS) claims processing environments, which were inherited when we transitioned to the Jurisdiction 10 A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). The three regions or segments are:
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Alabama
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Georgia
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Tennessee
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has instructed Cahaba GBA to merge these environments. The transition to the new MCS claim processing environment is scheduled to begin on Saturday, July 31, 2010 and be fully operational on Tuesday, August 3, 2010.
The purpose of this merge is to unify all of the Part B claims processing functions into a single claims processing environment. This includes all data values and files, such as procedure code files and claims history. The merger will result in significant administrative savings while having virtually no impact upon beneficiaries or providers following the merge.
Cahaba GBA is committed to providing the Medicare community we serve with the highest level of service. Our goal is to make this a seamless transition with as few disruptions as possible. In the event we identify changes that will affect the provider community, we will communicate these changes through our website, via e-mail communications, and in our monthly newsletter, the Medicare B Newsline. In addition, we have established a dedicated section on our website at http://www.cahabagba.com/part_b/ .
We encourage the provider community to visit our website, to receive current and up to date information quickly.
Thank you, Provider Outreach & Education (POE) Cahaba GBA- J10 A/B MAC
Cahaba GBA- Title XVIII Part B Carrier for Mississippi
President Obama Signs Halt to Medicare Fee Cut / CMS Provides Instructions
June 25th, 2010
President Obama signed into law the Medicare 2.2% fee increase. As reported by MGMA Washington Connexion, CMS has published the following statement.
On June 25, 2010, President Obama signed into law the “Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010.” This law establishes a 2.2 percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) payment rates retroactive from June 1 through November 30, 2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed Medicare claims administration contractors to discontinue processing claims at the negative update rates and to temporarily hold all claims for services rendered June 1, 2010, and later, until the new 2.2 percent update rates are tested and loaded into the Medicare contractors’ claims processing systems. Effective testing of the new 2.2 percent update will ensure that claims are correctly paid at the new rates. We expect to begin processing claims at the new rates no later than July 1, 2010. Claims for services rendered prior to June 1, 2010, will continue to be processed and paid as usual.
Claims containing June 2010 dates of service which have been paid at the negative update rates will be reprocessed as soon as possible. Under current law, Medicare payments to physicians and other providers paid under the MPFS are based upon the lesser of the submitted charge on the claim or the MPFS amount. Claims containing June dates of service that were submitted with charges greater than or equal to the new 2.2 percent update rates will be automatically reprocessed. Affected physicians/providers who submitted claims containing June dates of service with charges less than the 2.2 percent update amount will need to contact their local Medicare contractor to request an adjustment. Submitted charges on claims cannot be altered without a request from the physician/provider.
Physicians/providers should not resubmit claims already submitted to their Medicare contractor.
CMS Releases Claim Hold
June 18th, 2010
Today, CMS directed contractors to lift the hold that affected claims with dates-of-service June 1 or after. These claims were being held until June 17, now contractors are to begin processing claims on a first-in/first-out basis.
Per this release from CMS:
Congress continues to debate the elimination of the negative update that took effect June 1, 2010. The CMS is hopeful that Congressional action will be taken to avert the negative update. We continue to monitor Congressional actions, and if Congress changes the negative update that is currently in effect, we are prepared to act expeditiously to make the appropriate changes to Medicare claims processing systems.
Medicare Extends Holding Claims Until June 18
June 15th, 2010
Medicare contractors have been instructed to hold claims with dates-of-service from June 1, 2010 forward until Friday, June 18 to allow congress more time to respond to the pending Medicare fee schedule changes. This is an extension of the hold that was set to end Monday, June 14. Below is the notification to providers from Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators®, LLCs
Dear Medicare Part A, Part B Providers,and Partners,
The 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The Continuing Extension Act of 2010, enacted on April 15, 2010, extended the zero percent (0%) update to the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) through May 31, 2010. At this time, Congress is debating the elimination of the negative update that took effect June 1, 2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hopeful that Congressional action will be taken within the next several days to avert the negative update.
To avoid disruption in the delivery of health care services to beneficiaries and payment of claims for physicians, non-physician practitioners, and other providers paid under the MPFS, CMS had instructed its contractors on May 27th to hold claims for services paid under the MPFS for the first 10 business days of June (i.e., through June 14, 2010). This hold only affects MPFS claims with dates of service of June 1, 2010, and later.
Given the possibility of Congressional action in the very near future, CMS is now directing its contractors to continue holding June 1 and later claims through Thursday, June 17, lifting the hold on Friday, June 18.
This action will facilitate accurate claims processing at the outset and minimize the need for claims reprocessing if Congressional action changes the negative update. It also should minimize the provider and beneficiary burdens and costs associated with reprocessing claims.
We understand that the delayed processing of Medicare claims may present cash flow problems for some Medicare providers. However, we expect that the delay, if any, beyond the normal processing period will be only a few days. Be on the alert for more information regarding the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Update.
Thank you,
Provider Outreach & Education (POE)
Cahaba GBA- J10 A/B MAC
Cahaba GBA- Title XVIII Part B Carrier for Mississippi
Medicare Claims DOS June 1 on Hold
June 06th, 2010
Below is an email from Cahaba GBA, the J10 A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor for the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Regarding Medicare’s holding of claims for the first 10 days in June for claims with dates of service beginning June 1, 2010:
Dear Medicare Part A and Part B Providers,
Information Regarding the Holding of June 2010 Claims for Services Paid Under the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The Continuing Extension Act of 2010, enacted on April 15, 2010, extended the zero percent (0%) update to the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) through May 31, 2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) believes Congress is working to avert the negative update scheduled to take effect June 1, 2010. To avoid disruption in the delivery of health care services to beneficiaries and payment of claims for physicians, non-physician practitioners, and other providers of services paid under the MPFS, CMS has instructed its contractors to hold claims containing services paid under the MPFS (including anesthesia services) for the first 10 business days of June. This hold will only affect MPFS claims with dates of service June 1, 2010, and later.
This hold should have minimum impact on provider cash flow because, under the current law, clean electronic claims are not paid any sooner than 14 calendar days (29 for paper claims) after the date of receipt. Be on alert for more information about the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Update.
Thank you,
Provider Outreach & Education (POE)
Cahaba GBA- J10 A/B MAC
Cahaba GBA- Title XVIII Part B Carrier for Mississippi
MediSYS Prepares for DEA Ruling to Allow eRX of Control Substances
June 04th, 2010
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) interim final rule to allow for electronic prescriptions for controlled substances became final June 1, 2010. The rule is intended to allow DEA-registered prescribing practitioners to sign and transmit controlled substance prescriptions electronically. The DEA sent a letter to qualified providers dated April 29, 2010 advising them of the ability to submit controlled substances electronically provided they are using software that meets the requirements outlined in the Final Rule.
As an Advanced Certified Vendor with SureScripts, the developers of MediSYS ePrescribe have been working very closely with the SureScripts support team since the interim rule was published on March 31, 2010 to determine the necessary requirements to comply with the rule’s directives. In addition, we will participate in the SureScripts June 11th webinar which will address requirements needed for both certified vendors and authorized prescribers.
DEA Allows eRX of Controlled Substances
June 02nd, 2010
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) interim final rule to allow for electronic prescriptions for controlled substances became final June 1, 2010. The rule is intended to allow DEA-registered prescribing practitioners to sign and transmit controlled substance prescriptions electronically. The DEA sent a letter to qualified providers dated April 29, 2010 advising them of the ability to submit controlled substances electronically provided they are using software that meets the requirements outlined in the Final Rule.
As an Advanced Certified Vendor with SureScripts, the developers of MediSYS ePrescribe have been working very closely with the SureScripts support team since the interim rule was published on March 31, 2010 to determine the necessary requirements to comply with the rule’s directives. In additiona, we will participate in the SureScripts June 11th webinar which will address requirements needed for both certified vendors and authorized prescribers.
Red Flag Rule Delayed Again
June 01st, 2010
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has again delayed the deadline for implementation of the “Red Flag” rule until January 1, 2011. The latest deadline was June 1, but practices now have until the first of next year to implement a program to help prevent identity theft. Many feel this legislation puts an unnecessary burden on medical practices for what may have been meant for financial institutions.
Several medical organizations including the American Medical Association (AMA) strongly oppose and have taken action to block the inclusion of medical practices in the “Red Flag” rule by the FTC.
Medicare Frowns on Duplicate Claim Submission
May 25th, 2010
In a recent notification from Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators®, LLC,, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, informed providers that the number of duplicate Medicare claims submitted is significant and improper. Below is a statement included in this notification and a link to their article:
Unlike other health insurance payers where it is customary to bill until paid, multiple or repetitive billing to Medicare for a particular item or service is improper. Submitting more than one claim for the same item or service could cause a provider to be identified as an abusive biller, or, if a pattern of duplicate billing is identified, an investigation of potential fraud may be initiated. Please review the Medicare Learning Network article SE0415 found at http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0415.pdf titled “Reminder to Stop Duplicate Billing”.
The notice from Cahaba GBA goes on to explain what the major reasons for this large volume of duplicate claims and way providers can prevent the submission of duplicate claims.
Some of the issues listed in this notification as contributing to a high volume of duplicate claims submissions included:
• provider’s billing software set to automatically re-file when claim is not paid
• Zero payment due to a denial or the allowed amount applied to the deductible on the original claim and the claim is resubmitted in an attempt to receive payment.
• provider who use a billing company that is paid per claim submission and may be automatically re-filing the provider’s claims.
Providers are encouraged to take steps to prevent duplicate claim denials by not using automatic rebill/refile features, checking Remittance Advices, responding to duplicate claim denials (CO18), and checking claim status before resubmitting a claim. In addition, providers are reminded of the 14 day payment floor for electronic claims and asked not to automatically refile claims that are not paid after 30 days.
Retroactive Medicare Fee Updates for Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act
May 14th, 2010
CMS Provider Resources emailed the following notice regarding Medicare Retroactive Payment Corrections:
Important Message Regarding Medicare’s Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. One week later, on March 30, the President also signed into law the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. These two new laws have a significant impact on the Medicare program and many of the provisions have effective dates prior to this point in time. Over the past several weeks, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun implementing various provisions of the new laws, including those with past effective dates. In addition to implementing these legislative changes, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is being updated to include certain corrections, retroactive to January 1, 2010, as prescribed in recently published notices in the Federal Register.
Once Medicare contractors have the new payment files in place, per the above, all claims going forward will be processed at the revised rates. However, we continue to work on the best way to address the many claims that are paid at the rates that were in place before the current corrections and updates are made. Please be on the alert for further information about how CMS will address past claims. Until then, providers should NOT resubmit previously-processed claims affected by the payment changes, as it is likely that these resubmissions may be denied as duplicate claims.
Note: If you have problems accessing any hyperlink in this message, please copy and paste the URL into your Internet browser.
If you know someone who would like to subscribe to a Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) provider listserv, go to (http://www.cms.gov/prospmedicarefeesvcpmtgen/downloads/Provider_Listservs.pdf). If you received this message as part of the All FFS Providers listserv, you are currently subscribed to one of eighteen provider listservs. If you would like to be removed from all NIH listservs, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/LISTSERV_WEB/signoff.htm) to unsubscribe. If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific provider listserv, please go to (https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?INDEX) to unsubscribe or to leave the appropriate listserv.
Patient First Providers who use MediSYS EHR or MediSYS eRX Earn Extra
April 29th, 2010
MediSYS EHR and MediSYS eRX clients who are also Patient First providers will receive an extra $1.00 built into their Medicaid Patient First case management fee for each of their Patient First patients. MediSYS EHR and MediSYS eRX now include access to Alabama Medicaid Agency’s Together For Quality (TFQ). The TFQ and MediSYS EHR integration allows practices to query the State of Alabama’s central database for patient medications, problem list, allergies/reactions, immunizations, lab results, procedure history, providers of care, and even limited personal history.
The benefits of TFQ are significant since the initiative is aimed at reducing Alabama’s chronic disease burden through chronic disease management. Better coordination of health services and reduction in duplicate services enhance public health and reduce costs. In addition, TFQ facilitates the advancement of healthcare research.
Together for Quality (TFQ) is an Alabama Medicaid Agency initiative to transform access and use of information at the point of care by developing a real time, claims-based electronic health record for provider use. MediSYS EHR has partnered with Medicaid to give providers access to view information such as allergies, problem lists, medication history, immunizations, procedures, and family/social history. Incorporating TFQ within MediSYS EHR and MediSYS ePrescribe is an effort to facilitate access to information to improve health outcomes.
CMS Makes Plans to Use PECOS for EHR Incentive Registration
April 19th, 2010
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded a contract to CGI Federal, Inc. to expand the current provider enrollment system for HITECH Registration and Attestation Functionality. The expansion of the Provider Enrollment Chain Ownership System (PECOS) is to include the ability for providers to register for electronic health records "meaningful use" incentives.
Medicare Fee Schedule Freeze Extended to May 31
April 16th, 2010
President Obama signed the extension bill that was approved by the House of Representatives last night regarding the extension of the Medicare physician payment freeze through May 31. Claims that were being held with dates of service April 1 or later are being released for processing. The statutory 14-day payment floor still applies.
SureScripts Applauds DEA for Steps Taken to Allow eRX of Controlled Substances
March 30th, 2010
SureScripts released a statement which supports the recent actions of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to allow electronic prescribing of controlled substances. View this release at the following link:
Electronic LabCorp Orders Available within MediSYS ePrescribe & EHR
March 12th, 2010
Birmingham, AL, March 12, 2010……As part of MediSYS' commitment to streamline healthcare information, MediSYS announced today the addition of ordering LabCorp tests from within MediSYS ePrescribe and MediSYS Electronic Health Records. Electronic lab results have been available for practices with qualifying external lab volume for sometime from over 10 external lab reference companies direct to MediSYS EHR or ePrescribe. The addition of LabCorp orders from within these applications will unify lab test processing and streamline documentation for many healthcare providers.
This bi-directional interface with MediSYS and LabCorp will eliminate the practice having to place orders via a separate LabCorp PC or other method. With this new release, for those who meet the LabCorp requirements, practices may order a lab test from MediSYS EHR or ePrescribe in just a few clicks. The LabCorp order is automatically documented in the patient's record then transmitted real-time to LabCorp for processing. The lab results are then automatically matched to the order creating a complete record of the lab activity. Lab orders that do not have an associated result are reported as an outstanding lab for follow up. Fewer steps for lab orders, cross-referenced results and automatic documentation lead to better patient care and efficient quality control.
In addition to the LabCorp bi-directional electronic ordering & results interface, a bi-directional interface with Southern Diagnostic Laboratories is available. Lab result interfaces with MediSYS EHR and MediSYS ePrescribe include: LabCorp, Quest, Southern Diagnostic Laboratories, Doctors Laboratories, Skin Pathology, Cytopath, Bostwick Laboratories, Cunningham Pathology, Orchard Lab, Alabama Pathology, Bridger Pathologies Lab, and others.
MediSYS is 100% dedicated to improving the workflow and revenue of physicians, and has been for over twenty years. MediSYS serves more than a thousand physicians through medical practice management software, electronic health records, medical billing services and practice management services.
MediSYS Elects Comprehensive IFR Stage 1 Certification
March 04th, 2010
MediSYS EHR Elects CCHIT Comprehensive Certification
March 4, 2010…MediSYS announced today its plans to pursue the CCHIT Comprehensive Interim Final Rule Stage 1 for Electronic Health Records “meaningful use”. CCHIT, the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology, has provided the requirements that EHR applications must complete for eligible providers to receive stimulus monies as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Stage 1 Interim Final Rule (IFR).
This comprehensive certification program includes all components of previous CCHIT certifications as well as the requirements under the Stage 1 IFR. In addition, it contains all the components of their second, less complete CCHIT Modular program.
Currently MediSYS EHR certification is CCHIT 2008 and we are working closely with CCHIT to meet or exceed the criteria needed for “meaningful use”. MediSYS is pursuing the CCHIT Comprehensive IFR Stage 1 certification for MediSYS EHR. MediSYS feels that the expanded requirements and components for the comprehensive program will give providers an advantage over the minimum modular program.
The MediSYS EHR development team has already started working on incorporating the new requirements and as these components are completed, they are being released in software updates at no additional cost to MediSYS EHR clients who are under subscription. This upgraded comprehensive certification is the MediSYS EHR team’s highest priority until it’s completed.
MediSYS, a leader in practice management systems, electronic health records and medical billing services, serving over 1,200 Alabama physicians for over 20 years.
Alabama Awarded $10.5 Million to Build EHR System
February 26th, 2010
As part of the $385 million federal stimulus funds to states to aide in the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records, Alabama has been awarded $10.5 million to build EHR System. Medicaid's Together for Quality is the state's pilot project for EHR began in 2008. Read more at:
http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2010-02-25-01-electronichealthrecordsys.asp
CMS Second Delay of Phase 2 for PECOS Edits
February 23rd, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will delay until January 3, 2011 the implementation of Phase 2 which results in non-payment if the billed service requires an ordering/referring provider and the ordering/referring provider is not on the claim.
In early October, 2009 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began Phase I to implement an expanded claim process to verify that the ordering/referring provider on a claim is eligible to order/refer and is enrolled in Medicare.
Phase 2 - CEDI and VMS will still receive a national file from PECOS and will determine if the ordering/referring provider is required for the billed service. If the billed service requires an ordering/referring provider and the ordering/referring provider is not on the claim, the claim will not be paid. If the ordering/referring provider is on the claim, CEDI will verify that the ordering/referring provider is on the national PECOS file. If the ordering/referring provider is not on the national PECOS file, the claim will not be paid.
Learn More>>Pecos Helpful Links
CMS Delays Phase 2 for Claim Edits & Provides PECOS Help Line
February 10th, 2010
In early October, 2009 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began Phase I to implement an expanded claim process to verify that the ordering/referring provider on a claim is eligible to order/refer and is enrolled in Medicare. Phase 1 provides a warning edit. Phase 2 results in unpaid claims.
In both phases, they determine if the ordering/referring provider on the claim matches the providers in the national PECOS file: CEDI will verify the National Provider Identifier (NPI) of the ordering/referring provider reported on the claim against the national PECOS file.
Phase 2 has been delayed until April 5, 2010.
Phase 2 - CEDI and VMS will still receive a national file from PECOS and will determine if the ordering/referring provider is required for the billed service. If the billed service requires an ordering/referring provider and the ordering/referring provider is not on the claim, the claim will not be paid. If the ordering/referring provider is on the claim, CEDI will verify that the ordering/referring provider is on the national PECOS file. If the ordering/referring provider is not on the national PECOS file, the claim will not be paid.
For more information regarding Phase 1 and 2 go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/Downloads/R480OTN.pdf
CMS Established Help Line for PECOS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has established an External User Services (EUS) Help Desk to assist physicians, non-physician practitioners and organizations if they encounter an application navigation or access problem with Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS).
Contact Information for Provider and Suppliers Using the Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) to report an application navigation or access problem with Internet-based PECOS, contact the EUS Help Desk at 1-866-484-8049 or send an e-mail to the EUS Help Desk to EUSSupport@cgi.com.
Medicaid Electronic Claims Required March 1
February 05th, 2010
According to a recent Medicaid ALERT to all providers, effective March 1, 2010, all Medicaid claims must be submitted electronically unless they require attachments or Administrative Review override by Medicaid. Paper claims received after February 30 which do not require an attachment will not be processed by Medicaid.
In addition, beginning March 1, calls to Medicaid's Provider Assistance Center regarding patient eligibility will be directed to an electronic verification process or transferred to their Automated Voice Response System.
Direct electronic claims to Medicaid, electronic eligibility and electronic remittances are all available from within MediSYS PM. For more information contact us.
For details you can read the Medicaid notification RE: Cost Saving Measures to be Implemented March 1, 2010.
Midmark ECG / MediSYS EHR Interface Operational
January 19th, 2010
MediSYS EHR Midmark Diagnostic Interface
Birmingham, AL (January 15, 2010) – MediSYS Electronic Health Records integration of Midmark Corporation's IQ diagnostic products is now operational. The MediSYS EHR initial integration of Midmark's products includes IQMark Digital ECG and IQMark EZ Holter. MIdmark, headquartered in Ohio, provides medical, dental and veterinary healthcare equipment solutions.
MidMark's ECG and holter will connect seamlessly to MediSYS EHR for efficient clinical information flow. In addition, greater efficiency is realized because the information automatically becomes a part of the patient's electronic medical record without the need to scan or enter the data.
Other clinical applications also integrate with MediSYS EHR including many external laboratories, hospitals, and other diagnostic products. For more information regarding MediSYS EHR or to explore possible integration, contact MediSYS at 205.631.5969 or ehr@medisysinc.com.
CMS Proposed EHR Incentive Requirements
January 02nd, 2010
On December 30, 2009, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published proposed requirements for the EHR Incentive Programs. Their proposed rule would be used to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT of 2009.
There are two EHR incentive programs: Medicare and Medicaid. The Medicare EHR incentive program pays incentives to eligible professionals for their meaningful use of a certified EHR. The Medicaid EHR incentive program provides incentive payment to eligible professionals for implementing or upgrading a certified EHR or for meaningful use. Eligible providers may participate in only one program and must designate which they prefer.
Meaningful use in Stage 1 of the incentive program proposal includes 25 objectives/measures for eligible professionals and 23 for eligible hospitals. Stage 1 focuses on:
- electronic capture of health information in a coded format
- using that information to track key clinical conditions
- communicating that information for care coordination
- report initiation of the quality measures & public health information
A 60-day comment period for the proposed rule has been provided by CMS. Details may be found at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Recovery/11_HealthIT.asp
http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-31217_PI.pdf
Medicare Crossover Process 15 days After Care Pays
December 10th, 2009
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), approximately 99% of all claims that Medicare identifies for crossover, as cited on provider Medicare Remittance Advice, are crossed over by CMS Coordination of Benefits Contractor (COBC). The crossover failures are due HIPAA compliance issues or related data errors and the provider will receive a Medicare-generated special notification specifying the reason.
CMS is requesting that providers allow time for the Medicare Claim Crossover Process to process before attempting to balance bill their patient supplemental insurers. This crossover process takes approximately 15 work days after Medicare's reimbursement is made, as stated in MLN Matters Article SE0909 (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0909.pdf). CMS advises to balance bill after receiving written confirmation from Medicare that claims either did not cross over, or they have received a special notification letter explaining why specified claims cannot be crossed over. According to a CMS notification, Remittance Advice Remark Codes MA18 or N89 on your Medicare Remittance Advice (MRA) represent Medicare's intention to cross your patients' claims over. Medicare will continue to issue supplemental notifications to all participating providers, physicians, and suppliers informing them if claims targeted for crossover, as evidenced by MA18 or N89 on the MRA, do not actually result in successful crossover transmissions.
CMS Published Fact Sheet for PQRI / eRX Changes
November 17th, 2009
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has indicated that the PQRI program in 2008 was a success with a significant increase in payments to eligible providers / professionals over 2007. According to a news release from CMS dated Friday, November 13, more than 85,000 physicians and other eligible participants received incentive payments totaling more than $92 million. As compared to the $36 million paid for 2007.
CMS published a fact sheet outlining the changes for the 2010 PQRI and ePrescribing incentives. Changes include simplified reporting and expanded measures. For details go to:
CMS Fact Sheet Oct. 30, 2009 PQRI / ePrescribe 2010 Changes
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Delays New Payment Methodology
November 06th, 2009
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has announced that their new payment method that was scheduled to be implemented December 1, 2009 will be delayed. They are expected to announce fee schedule and processing changes by July 1, 2010. BCBS encourages providers to refer to https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/newpaymentmethodology/ or contact their Network Services Provider.
To view the carrier notification visit: https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/publications/providerFacts/2009-040.pdf
Red Flag Rule Delayed
November 05th, 2009
On October 30, the Federal Trade Commission announced another delay in the enforcement of the "Red Flags" Rule. At the request of Members of Congress, the "Red Flags" Rule, which was scheduled to go into action November 1, 2009, has been delayed until June 1, 2010. For more information go to: http://ftc.gov/redflagsrule
Phase I Underway: Editing the Ordering/Referring Provider in DMEPOS Claims
November 03rd, 2009
Phase 1 of the DMEPOS Claims Edits is now underway. Phase 1 will provide warning messages to prompt providers to take action prior to Phase 2 which will result in rejections beginning January 4, 2010.
Phase 1 (October 5, 2009 through January 3, 2010), DMEPOS suppliers who report ordering/referring providers who do not pass both edits will receive an informational message on their remittance. (Paper billers will not receive an informational message.) The claims will be paid.
Phase 2 (January 4, 2010 and thereafter), DMEPOS suppliers who report ordering/referring providers who do not pass both edits will have their claims rejected.
For more information refer to Change Request 6421-Editing the Ordering/Referring Provider in DMEPOS Claims
Ordering/Referring Provider Case Sensitive Edits
October 26th, 2009
National Government Services, one of the largest Medicare contractors in the country, released the following information to avoid unnecessary claim rejections. They will reject claims when lower case characters are submitted in the ordering/referring provider field. See their notice below for details:
Ordering/Referring Provider Case Sensitive Edits
CEDI has front end edits in place to validate the data submitted conforms to HIPAA and Medicare requirements. As part of these edits, the Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) utilizes external code sources to validate the data on inbound transactions. The Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) file used to verify eligibility for ordering/referring providers is one of the external data code sources utilized by CEDI.
The information from PECOS is provided to CEDI using only upper case characters. The alpha character data on the claim for the ordering/referring provider must be in upper case in order to validate the name against the PECOS file.
CEDI will reject inbound transactions submitted with lower case characters where the external code source used to perform the edits is only provided in upper case. If a lower case character is submitted in the ordering/referring provider field, the claim will be rejected.
CEDI strongly encourages submitting all alpha characters in upper case to avoid this type of issue.
For more information and questions, please contact the CEDI Help Desk at ngs.cedihelpdesk@wellpoint.com or at 866-311-9184.
Thank you,
National Government Services, Inc.
Corporate Communications
3rd Annual Cardiovascular Update Conference
October 13th, 2009
MediSYS will be participating in the 3rd Annual Cardiovascular Update on November 7, 2009. The 2009 Cardiovascular Update is being offered through The CVA Medical Education Foundation. This continuing medical education meeting is designed to provide physicians and other healthcare staff with an overview of important developments in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease. The conference will be held in Birmingham at The Cahaba Grand Conference Center. For more information or to register go to http://www.cvupdate.org/ or 205-585-4000 info@cvupdate.org.
BCBS Estimated Change in Allowed Amount Due to Fee Schedule Changes and Implementation of NCCI Edits
October 13th, 2009
Providers can now view what their estimated impact will be with the December 1, 2009 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama new payment method. Login to Provider Access at https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/index.cfm then select Provider Functions, Physician Profile Reports, View Your Fee Schedule Impact.
CMS ePrescribe Incentives
October 12th, 2009
Below is a recent publication from Surescripts regarding CMS e-Prescribing / MIPPA Incentive Program.
http://www.surescripts.com/downloads/MIPPA%20summary%20sheet.pdf
For 2010, the incentive is slated to be 2% of the total allowed charges for covered professional services (Part B charges).
If you are interested in an on-line demonstration of MediSYS ePrescribe (which typically takes less than 30 minutes), please contact us at eprescribe@medisysinc.com
BCBS to Adopt New Payment Methodology Dec. 1, 2009
September 23rd, 2009
For PMD doctors, Blue Cross of Alabama will adopt a new payment methodology effective December 1, 2009. They will implement the Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) which is being used by the majority of payers across the nation. The BCBS transition to RBRVS will occur over several years.
In addition, BCBS will replace their fragmented coding edits with the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) standards.
These changes will increase payment on some CPT codes and decrease others. Overall, BCBS does not expect a change in the total PMD network payout. This transition is expected to have greater emphasis on the non-procedural component of patient care especially for Primary Care. In addition, the adoption of these national claims filing standards should result in efficiencies for standard claim submissions.
Providers can now locate the new PMD fee schedule and payment methodology changes at http://www.bcbsal.com/ through Provider Access login. For more information refer to: https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/publications/providerFacts/2009-015.pdf
Pickens County Medical Center (PCMC) EHR Interface
September 15th, 2009
A busy family medicine practice in Reform, Alabama has joined the many practices now connected to Pickens County Medical Center (PCMC) through MediSYS EHR. Beginning today, for this practice, radiology results from PCMC are automatically directed to the provider's in-box and associated with the patient's electronic health record. This gives the provider faster access to review the radiology results and take action.
Similar functionality is available to other hospitals including Druid City Hospital-Tuscaloosa, AL, Huntsville Hospital, Baptist Hospital – Montgomery, AL, Jackson Hospital – Montgomery, AL, East Alabama Medical Center – Auburn, AL, Southeast Alabama Medical Center – Dothan, AL, and Baptist Healthcare – Pensacola, FL (Atmore Hospital, Jay Hospital, and Baptist Hospitals). MediSYS EHR anticipated the release other several other hospital interfaces soon.
Medicaid Together for Quality Integration to MediSYS EHR Nears Completion
September 14th, 2009
MediSYS EHR is nearing completion of the Alabama Medicaid Agency’s Together For Quality (TFQ) integration. The TFQ and MediSYS EHR integration will allow practices to query the State of Alabama’s central database for patient medications, problem list, allergies/reactions, immunizations, lab results, procedure history, providers of care, and even limited personal history.
The release of this integration is expected in the next couple of weeks.
Limited window to qualify for the 2011 healthcare incentive payments
September 11th, 2009
National news regarding announcement by CCHIT to prepare for the limited window for providers and vendors to take action to qualify for the 2011 healthcare incentive payments. Read more at:
http://fcw.com/articles/2009/09/09/cchit-announces-preliminary-certifications-for-ehrs.aspx
MediSYS to Participate in Fall Pediatric Update
September 10th, 2009
MediSYS will be participating in the upcoming 2009 ANNUAL MEETING & FALL PEDIATRIC UPDATE September 18 – 20, 2009 at the Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, AL. If you will be attending this meeting, please stop by our booth. We will be featuring MediSYS EHR for Pediatrics, MediSYS PM and Pediatric Billing Services. For more information regarding this meeting, visit http://www.alchapaap.org/
New HCPCS for the Administration of the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Vaccine
September 10th, 2009
For dates of service on after September 1, 2009, Medicare has created two new HCPC codes for billing for the administration of the H1N1 Virus Vaccine.
- G9141 – Influenza A (H1N1) immunization administration (includes the physician counseling the patient/family)
- G9142 – Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine, any route of administration
Since the vaccine is being made available to providers at no cost, Medicare will not pay providers for the vaccine. Please refer to CMS MLN Matters number: SE0920 for more information.
MediSYS EHR v1.0 has received the federal government's "meaningful use" stamp of approval by earning Complete EHR certification.
