CMS Launches DOQ-IT University
 Added April 13, 2007
New Interactive Learning Tool Educates Physicians in the Adoption and Implementation of Electronic Health Records and Care Management Practices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ) today announced the national launch of DOQ-IT (Doctor’s Office Quality Information Technology) University, or DOQ-IT U, to support health information technology (HIT) in physicians’ offices.DOQ-IT U is an interactive, Web-based tool designed to provide solo and small-to-medium sized physician practices with the education for successful HIT adoption, including lessons on culture change, vendor selection and operational redesign, along with clinical processes.
The nationally available e-learning system is available at no charge. To view the entire press release, please click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp
National Provider Identifier (NPI) Contingency Guidance National Provider Roundtable with Question & Answer Session
Added April 9, 2007 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a National Roundtable (click here for full details) on the recently released NPI Compliance Contingency Guidance. This toll-free call will take place from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., EDT, on Wednesday April 18, 2007. The CMS announced that through May 23, 2008, CMS will not impose penalties on covered entities that deploy contingency plans to facilitate the compliance of their trading partners (e.g. those healthcare providers who bill them). The posted guidance document can be used by covered entities to design and implement a contingency plan. Details are contained in a CMS document entitled, “Guidance on Compliance with the HIPAA National Provider Identifier (NPI) Rule.” To view this guidance, visit this link on the CMS website. Medicare Announces Measure Specifications for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
Added April 3 , 2007
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the posting of detailed specifications for the 74 measures included in the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).
PQRI establishes a financial incentive for physicians and other health practitioners to participate in a voluntary quality reporting program. Eligible professionals who successfully report data for a designated set of quality measures may earn a bonus payment, subject to a cap, of 1.5 percent of total allowed charges for covered Medicare physician fee schedule services provided during the reporting period of July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.
To view the entire press release, please click: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press_releases.asp
Revised LCD for Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESAs) for the Treatment of Anemia Unrelated to Dialysis Therapy (L17753)
Added April 2 , 2007
This policy is effective for dates of service on or after April 2, 2007. NOTE: CMS is still taking comments pertaining to this policy until April 13, 2007. Contact the MOASC office for further details. Revision History Explanation
Northern and Southern California: Number: 04-06.1R7
Date: 03/16/07
Effective Date: 4/02/07
Changes: Due to a new FDA Alert and manufacturer’s warnings on 3/9/2007, the following changes were made:
- Deleted coverage for anemia of cancer unrelated to chemotherapy
- Repeated FDA guidance that for all patients, target hemoglobin should be no higher than 12 g/dl
- Provided coding guidance for anemia of chemotherapy
Updated references to include new FDA warnings and studies of adverse effects and updated clinical guidelines of the NCCN. While NHIC issued a web alert, per CMS authorization, on 3/8/2007, further enforcement (e.g. recoupments) will not be undertaken 4/2/2007, because such actions would likely be successfully appealed due to limitation of liability principles or conflict between LCD and other web articles, with some providers referencing one or the other. Below is the link to CMS' Local Coverage Decision for Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents for the Treatment of Anemia Unrelated to Dialysis Therapy. LCD For Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESAs)
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