Current Practice Issues

Issues Affecting Rheumatologists Now

 

Red Flags Rule Delayed Until 2010

October 29, 2009

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that the Red Flags rule will be delayed until June 1, 2010. This is in response to the influence of the AMA—of which the ACR is an active participant—urging the FTC and Congress to not categorize physicians as "creditors." The ACR is pleased that the FTC has granted another delay to consider if physicians should be subject to the Rule. Review the FTC’s decision to delay in full here, and learn more about how, if passed, the Red Flags Rule can affect your practice.

 

ACR Tracking Concerns about ANA Testing Results

August 19, 2009

The ACR is still tracking concerns about ANA test results. Members alerted the ACR about concerns regarding the results of the antinuclear antibody test. This test is used to help screen for systemic lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus, and other diseases. Some ACR members are reporting false positives and negatives. Accurate results are crucial because treatment is determined according to the results of the test.

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Noridian J6 Contract Challenged!

February 12, 2009

On January 27, Noridian Administrative Services received a stop-work order from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the Jurisdiction 6 implementation – a result of a formal protest that was filed with the Government Accountability Office.

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UnitedHealthcare Extends PDP Reconsideration

January 29, 2009

UnitedHealthcare is extending the reconsideration request date for the UnitedHealth Premium® physician designation program to February 11, 2009. This date gives physicians more time to submit their request for reconsideration prior to the consumer display update slated for March. Read More >

 

UHC Rolls Out 2009 PDP Program

January 26, 2009

United Health Care has recently completed their annual United Health Premium physician designation program quality and cost efficiency assessment. On December 23, 2008, UHC mailed 228,177 letters to physicians in 39 states notifying physicians of their PDP results.

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2% Incentive for Electronic Prescribing

December 29, 2008

In order to promote the adoption and use of e-prescribing systems, the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008” authorized an e-prescribing incentive program beginning January 1, 2009. This program will provide eligible professionals who successfully e-prescribe an incentive of two percent of the total estimated allowed charges for professional services covered by Medicare Part B and furnished by an eligible professional during the reporting period of one calendar year. Read More >

 

New Codes for 2009

December 1, 2008

There are changes to some of the drug administration CPT codes. The new codes were effective as of January 1, 2009. Rheumatology offices should make changes to all their super bills and charge slips. Billing with the old codes from 2008 will cause claim denials.

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ACR Responds to Noridian Administrative Service

November, 2008

The ACR sent a letter to all carrier medical directors for Noridian and to all CMS regional directors in the Noridian area in response to a Noridan memo stating, "physicians need to use the lower CPT code for infusing abatacept." Read More >

The ACR suggest that physicians send letters to the Noridian medical directors, state insurance commissioners, regional CMS offices, and US Congressional Representatives to convey your concerns about this policy. To view a list of individual state addresses click here.

 

2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Feedback Report

October, 2008

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that the 2007 PQRI feedback reports are now available to view on a secure website. You cannot view the report until you have registered with the CMS security system known as the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services. You or someone who you authorize in your practice can register to have access to IACS.

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Update on Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pads: Micro printing or a printed void pantograph will now satisfy Category 1 copy resistance and enable practices to avoid the high cost of acquiring special tamper-proof prescription paper

July 30, 2008

As of October 1, 2008, all fee-for-service Medicaid prescriptions that are either handwritten or printed from an EMR/ePrescribing application will be required to have a minimum of 1 feature from all 3 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) categories of tamper-resistant features.

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The ACR/AMA Physician Practice Information Survey Is Underway – Rheumatologists Need to Respond!

Have you been selected to participate in the physician practice information survey? If so, we urge you to take this opportunity to complete the confidential survey as it is an important and necessary vehicle for positive change in the field of rheumatology.

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New Advance Beneficiary Notice

October, 2008

On March 3, 2008 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services replaced the general, lab and Notice of Exclusion from Medicare Benefits Advanced Beneficiary Notice. Physicians and other health care providers are required to begin using the new form when services are not expected to be covered by Medicare.

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ACR Tracks Member Concern about ANA Testing Results

June, 2008

ACR members have alerted the Regional Advisory Council about some concerns regarding the results of the antinuclear antibody test. The test is used to help screen for systemic lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus, and other diseases. Some ACR members are reporting false positives and negatives. Accurate results are crucial because treatment is determined according to the results of the study.

 Read more



The ACR has developed Practice Tools to help rheumatologists maintain their practices.


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