Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
CMS Offers In-Depth Training Course on How to Properly Use the CMS-1500 Form
Plus: CMS plans to discontinue the competitive acquisition program by the end of the year
To confirm that practices are completing their CMS-1500 claim forms correctly, CMS has instituted a Web-based training course that offers information "that will allow you to file Medicare Part B claims accurately and reduce your chances of receiving unprocessable rejections," according to a Sept. 9 alert from CMS on the subject.
To access the Web-based training seminar, visit www.cms.hhs.gov /mlngeninfo/, click "Related links inside CMS," and click on "Web-based training modules."
Best bet: Keep a CMS-1500 form handy during the training so you can refer to it often. You can find them at www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms /downloads/CMS1500805.pdf.
In other news ...
• If you're enjoying the opportunity to obtain drugs for Medi-care beneficiaries under the CAP program, CMS has some bad news for you.
CMS has elected to halt the Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) effective Dec. 31, according to a Sept. 10 CMS announcement.
CMS has reviewed bids for the 2009 CAP program, but "contractual issues with the successful bidders resulted in CMS postponing the 2009 program," the Sept. 10 announcement says. "As a result, CAP physician election for participating in the CAP in 2009 will not be held, and CAP drugs will not be available from an approved CAP vendor for dates of service after Dec. 31, 2009."
If you need information on how to transition out of the CAP program, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcquisforBios/02_infophys.asp.
CMS plans to assess feedback from participating physicians and vendors so the agency can "consider implementing changes to the CAP before proceeding with another bid solicitation."
If you'd like to submit comments to CMS on the CAP program, go online to www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcquisforBios/.
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CMS Offers In-Depth Training Course on How to Properly Use the CMS-1500 Form
Plus: CMS plans to discontinue the competitive acquisition program by the end of the yearMost coders [...]
