Medicare Update

Top Ten Medicare Update Blog Posts in October 2009

Below are the top ten Medicare Update posts during October 2009 (based on the number of views):

1)   CMS Announces 2010 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles

2)   OIG Work Plan Reveals Possible Risk Areas for Medicare Providers and Suppliers

3)   Senator Stabenow Introduces Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009

4)   OIG Work Plan Identifies Possible Areas of Concern for Home Health Agencies and DMEPOS Suppliers

5)   CMS Directs Medicare Contractors to Take Action on OIG Reports

6)   CMS Posts FAQ on Code 432 and Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors

7)   The Changing Dynamics of Medicare Fraud Schemes?

8)   Medicare Fraud and Recovery Audit Contractor Program

9)   CMS to Shelve Medicare Medical Home Demonstration

10) Region D Recovery Audit Contractor Updates CMS Approved Audit Issues

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OIG Work Plan Reveals Possible Risk Areas for Medicare Providers and Suppliers

On October 1, 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its Work Plan for fiscal year 2010 (Work Plan).

The Work Plan addresses the areas and issues the OIG intends to audit, evaluate and inspect during fiscal year 2010.  The Work Plan also provides some insight into the areas and issues that may evolve into future OIG enforcement activities. Therefore, health care providers and suppliers should consider the Work Plan in relation to their operations.

This post briefly highlights some of the Work Plan priorities for hospitals, physicians and other health care providers with respect to Medicare Parts A and B. Work Plan priorities for Medicare provider and supplier types not addressed in this post (e.g., home health agencies) will be covered in subsequent posts.

CMS to Host Ambulance Open Door Forum

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will hold the next Ambulance Open Door Forum at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on October 14, 2009.

To participate by telephone, one must dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference conference ID 31205594. To participate in person, RSVP and security clearance is required.  One must RSVP by 2:00 p.m. (ET) on October 8, 2009 to AmbulanceODF-L@cms.hhs.gov, and include your name, organization, telephone number, and "Ambulance" in the subject line.  The Open Door Forum will take place at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C.

Beginning 2 hours after the Open Door Forum ends, CMS will also make an audio recording of the Open Door Forum available.  To access the audio recording, one must dial 1-800-642-1687 and enter the conference ID.  The recording will expire after 3 business days.

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CMS to Host Ambulance Open Door Forum

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will hold the next Ambulance Open Door Forum at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on June 11, 2009.

To participate by telephone, one must dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference conference ID 12094860. To participate in person, RSVP and security clearance is required.  One must RSVP by 2:00 p.m. (ET) on June 9, 2009 to AmbulanceODF-L@cms.hhs.gov, and include your name, organization, telephone number, and "Ambulance" in the subject line.  The Open Door Forum will take place at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C.

Beginning June 15, 2009, CMS will also make an audio recording of the Open Door Forum available.  To access the audio recording, one must dial 1-800-642-1687 and enter the conference ID.  The recording will expire after 3 business days.

CMS to Host Ambulance Open Door Forum

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it will hold the next Ambulance Open Door Forum at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on April 15, 2009.

To participate by telephone, one must dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference conference ID 88161255. To participate in person, RSVP and security clearance is required.  One must RSVP by 2:00 p.m. (ET) on April 10, 2009 to AMBULANCEODF-L@cms.hhs.gov, and include your name, organization, telephone number, and "Ambulance" in the subject line.  The Open Door Forum will take place at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C.

Beginning 2 hours after the Open Door Forum, CMS will also make an audio recording of the Open Door Forum available.  To access the audio recording, one must dial 1-800-642-1687 and enter the conference ID.  The recording will expire after 3 business days.