Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

On Nov. 2, 2001, CMS posted to the Federal Register (Volume 66, Number 213) a proposal to become a more "Open and Responsive Federal Agency." Outlining its mission as serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries "by assuring quality healthcare security for beneficiaries and individuals involved in their care," the agency announced that it would make structural changes to build in processes that will enhance its ability to be responsive.  As an initial step "because providers have advised us that it has become increasingly more difficult for them to stay abreast of the many new and changing instructions concerning our programs" CMS proposed making available quarterly provider updates that list provider-oriented regulatory documents and program instructions. According to the announcement, "We plan to release the quarterly provider update to provider associations first as a pilot and, at a later time, publish subsequent provider updates on our Web site on the first business day of each calendar quarter."
 
Other CMS proposals include:
 

A series of open listening forums across the country to be chaired by CMS senior staff, "so that we can hear directly from our constituencies about the impact that our regulations, policies, and programs have on them."
 

Open-door listening forums chaired by CMS senior staff and made up of CMS employees, to serve as principal points of contact for beneficiary and provider groups. According to CMS, "Our goal in working with these groups is to build stronger relationships, improve their understanding of CMS, and generate ideas for program improvements and reform, as well as ideas about how we can better serve our beneficiaries."
 

The agency vows to "work with each State at both the regional and central office level." A Medicaid/State Children's Health Insurance Program contact person for each state will troubleshoot and resolve disputes for governors, state Medicaid directors, and other high-ranking state officials.
 

CMS will form in-house expert teams across program areas to develop new ways of conducting business that will reduce administrative burdens and simplify our policies and regulations.
 

As much as is practical, CMS will publish regulations in the Federal Register on a predictable cycle on the fourth Friday of each month.
 
Note: The agency is accepting comments on its proposal. For more information or to view the entire notice, visit the CMS Web site: www.hcfa.gov/regs/fr02no01-82.htm.