Donate to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Comments from FEMA website:
"We commend all Americans who are willing to assist their fellow citizens in this time of need, and we express our deepest gratitude to those from other nations wishing to aid us in the wake of this disaster. We have already received calls from around the nation and the world. On September 2, 2005, we established a toll-free 800 number, 1-800-440-6728, to accept the generous offers to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

"You may also donate money to several reputable organizations with years of experience in responding to disasters. This includes the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other organizations. A list of relief organizations active during disasters can be found online at www.nvoad.org. You may also call our donations hotline, and a representative can refer you to one of these organizations."

Comments from the American Red Cross website:
"Victims of Hurricane Katrina are attempting to recover from the massive storm. American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina's destruction, supplying hundreds of thousands victims left homeless with critical necessities. By making a financial gift to support Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts, the Red Cross can provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Katrina." https://give.redcross.org/?hurricanemasthead

ASCO Reports on the Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

For more information visit the SCACO website.

Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will administer its first national implementation of the Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) in January 2006.  The MCPSS is designed to measure provider satisfaction with and perceptions about the services provided by Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Contractors.  The survey will give providers the opportunity to rate their Contractor(s) on seven business functions: provider communications, provider inquiries, claims processing, appeals, medical review, provider enrollment, and provider reimbursement. 

Read the full article here >>

CMS Updates

MM4031 - October Update to the 2005 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM4031.pdf

MM3984 - New Waived Tests Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 (Revised: 8/23/2005)

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM3984.pdf



MM3992 - October 2005 Quarterly Average Sales Price (ASP) Medicare Part B Drug Pricing File and Revisions to April 2005 Quarterly ASP Medicare Part B Pricing File, Effective October 1, 2005

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM3992.pdf

MM4005 - Changes to the Laboratory National Coverage Determination (NCD) Edit Software for October 2005
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2005/MM4005.pdf 

NHIC Updates

Visit NHIC - What's New (visit http://www.medicarenhic.com/whats_new/whats_new.shtml)

Visit NHIC - CA Updates (visit http://www.medicarenhic.com/cal_prov/updates.shtml)

The Sept 2005 edition of Medicare B Resource is now available.

A new billing guide - "Introduction to Medicare" has been posted.

Registration is now being accepted for a Webinar on the Appeals Process to be held on Sept 22, 2005.

NHIC has posted a new Educational Article on How to Avoid Duplicate Claim Denials.