| |
|
|
| |
The recent spring Physician Practice Management Conference was well attended by both physicians and office staff. Attendees were given information about all aspects of practice management, from dealing with “Red Flag Rules” to employee management to payor contracting. The afternoon Government Payors Workshop provided important updates for all medical practices. Attendees offered praise for both the content and format of the meeting.
Watch for details of the next Physician Practice Management Conference and don’t miss out on a great educational opportunity for your practice!
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on April 30, 2009, that it would delay enforcement of its so-called "Red Flags Rules" for three months, until August 1, 2009. Under the FTC's rule, certain entities, including physician practices, must develop and implement written identity theft prevention and detection programs to protect consumers from identity theft.
The AMA has urged the FTC to exclude physicians because they should not be considered "creditors" under the law simply because they submit claims to health insurance carriers. This 3 month extension will allow the AMA, along with other associations, to share guidance with their members, provide low-risk entities an opportunity to use the template in developing their programs, and give Congress time to reconsider the issue.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Medical Doctors whose last names begin with the letters M through Z are required to renew their licenses for the years 2009—2011. The Board of Medicine will not be mailing a paper renewal application to medical doctors who are renewing their licenses.
As of May 14, 2009, licensees who meet the following criteria for online renewal were able to go to the Board’s website and complete the online renewal process. The criteria for physicians to renew online are as follows:
1. Physicians who currently hold an ACTIVE medical license;
2. Physicians who currently hold an INACTIVE medical license and will renew in an INACTIVE status;
3. Physicians who have obtained the required continuing medical education;
4. Physicians who answer “no” to all questions (see “Renewal FAQ’s” currently on the Board’s website); and
5. Physicians who desire to pay via credit/debit card.
Please note that physicians may only renew online if they meet all of the above criteria.
In order to renew online, physicians will need his/her West Virginia medical license number; his/her social security number; and a credit/debit card. There is a small credit/debit card convenience fee for renewing online.
If a licensee is unable to use the online renewal service, he or she must request a paper renewal application to complete and return it to the Board of Medicine office. A request form for a paper renewal application is available on the Board of Medicine website http://www.wvdhhr.org/WVBOM) (under the “FORMS” section.
Please note that the Board of Medicine will be unable to finalize the processing of any application that is not complete. Completion of the renewal application is the responsibility of the licensee.
Each physician application is computer-generated to include personalized information previously reported by the licensee. Physicians should review this information to ensure that it remains accurate. Each licensee must provide a telephone number. The Board anticipates that this method of renewal will reduce the time necessary for the physician to complete the application.
The online application or paper application must be completed BEFORE June 30, 2009, at 4:30 p.m., to avoid the automatic expiration of the physician’s West Virginia medical license.
The Board of Medicine may be reached at (304) 558-2921.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The American Medical Association’s Twitter profile has grown to more than 1,000 followers since it was launched earlier this spring. AMA members who sign up for Twitter receive AMA news updates and connect with other users who are interested in health care.
The AMA posts a wide variety of “tweets,” ranging from health-system reform news to useful resources for physicians, residents and medical student. Content is continuously updated to engage followers, incorporating the latest and most relevant material.
If you would like to join the online community and enjoy the opportunity to connect with the AMA, it is quick and easy to sign-up for a Twitter account if you do not already have one. Go to: www.twitter.com/AmerMedicalAssn and follow the prompts to create a new account. A privacy feature is included that allows only those you choose to view your page.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
In order to help physician practices navigate the new requirements of the Medicare enrollment process, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) have partnered to develop a new online toolkit. Free to members of AMA and MGMA, the toolkit is accessible online at both the AMA and MGMA’s Web sites.
A number of changes to the Medicare enrollment process were implemented as of April 1, 2009. The new toolkit aims to make the process easier by outlining the new policies in an easy to understand format. The goal is to help physicians successfully enroll as quickly as possible without interruptions to patient care or Medicare reimbursements.
Physicians should be aware of two key changes in the enrollment process that could have a negative impact on patient access to care and Medicare reimbursement.
• Physicians now have only 30 days to make changes to their enrollment information, such as a new practice address. A physician’s enrollment status could be revoked if he/she does not comply with the timeframe.
• If physicians have met all the Medicare enrollment requirements, they will only be able to bill Medicare retroactively for 30 days once they are successfully enrolled, rather than up to 27 months as was previously permitted.
The AMA and MGMA are very pleased that Medicare has now unveiled a process for submitting applications online. This is expected to make the application process much faster.
The MGMA and AMA will continue to work closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve the enrollment process.
More information on the enrollment process is available to all physicians and practice staff at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/legislation-advocacy/medicare-enrollment-process.shtml and at http://www.mgma.com/policy/default.aspx?id=5712.
The toolkit is available to AMA members at www.ama-assn.org/go/medicare-enrollment-kit and to MGMA members at www.mgma.com/enrollmenttoolkit.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
PEIA has announced that they will be conducting a series of workshops statewide during June. Staff from PEIA, CHIP, Access WV and Aetna will present the workshops in Martinsburg, Morgantown, Wheeling, Beckley, Huntington, Charleston and Mineral Wells. The Health Plan, Carelink and Advantra Freedom will have members of their staff available to answer specific questions about benefits or claims issues.
The same material will be presented at each workshop. To register, you may fax a registration form to (304) 558-4969 or email paul.d.dixon@wv.gov by May 29, 2009. You must indicate which workshop location and session you will be attending.
Listed below are the dates, location and times for the PEIA workshops. When you register, make sure you indicate which session you will be attending. There is no cost to attend a PEIA workshop. Both the workshop and materials are free.
June 8, 2009 ---Holiday Inn Martinsburg 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
June 9, 2009 ----Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa Morgantown 9:00 am - 11:00 am OR 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
June 10, 2009 --McLure House Wheeling 9:00 am - 11:00 am
June 16, 2009 --Tamarack Conference Center Beckley 9:00 am - 11:00 am
June 16, 2009 --Big Sandy Superstore Arena Huntington 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
June 18, 2009 --Charleston Civic Center Charleston 9:00 am - 11:00 am OR 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
June 22, 2009 ---Comfort Suites Mineral Wells 9:00 am – 11:00 am OR 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Under the new economic stimulus plan, physicians may receive up to $44,000 over a five-year period for the use of Health Information Technology.
As part of its continuing efforts to help physicians learn about and adopt new technology, the American Medical Association (AMA) has announced a new, free webinar series that will help physicians understand the health information technology (HIT) provisions laid out in the recently passed economic stimulus bill. The three-part series will describe what these provisions mean for physicians and how they can take advantage of the $19 billion in funds allocated for the purchase and use of HIT. The first webinar was held on May 20th. The next scheduled webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 9.
The schedule for the remaining webinar series is below.
• Stimulus 102: Update on the Health Information Technology Provisions
June 9, 2009, 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM EDT)
• Stimulus 103: Real World Perspectives
July 14, 2009, 12:00 PM CT (1:00 EDT)
Recently the AMA launched an online electronic prescribing learning center for physicians looking to implement this aspect of HIT into their practice and take advantage of the Medicare incentive program. In the coming year, the AMA will continue unveiling new resources and solutions for physicians that will simplify the HIT decision-making and implementation process. These products and services will be aimed at meeting individual needs and helping simplify physicians’ day-to-day routines so they can focus on what they do best – caring for patients. To register for the webinars and view the HIT tools and resources the AMA currently has available, visit www.ama-assn.org/go/hit.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Unisys reminds physicians that electronic and paper claims received with a decimal point within the unit field will be returned/rejected to the provider, per the Medicaid policy. Physicians should ensure that claims do not include decimal points. The only time that decimal points may be used is on NDC billing, in the shaded area of field 24D of the CMS-1500 form and field 43 of the UB-04 form, per the current billing instructions.
Unisys also requires that physicians send updated licensure (business and vendor) to avoid delayed payments. If Unisys has not received an update license by the expiration date, claims will be placed on pay hold and no claims will be paid until the renewed license if received.
If the license is not received 30 days after the expiration date, Unisys will terminate the physician from the WV Medicaid program. The termination date will be backdated to the expiration date of the latest license that is on file with Medicaid.
For information about these updates, as well as other questions, you may contact Provider Relations at (888) 483-0793 or via email at wvmmis@unisys.com.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Recently, Coventry Health Care announced that it will not renew its Medicare Advantage (MA) private fee-for-service product "in light of federal reimbursement rates and medical cost trends." Currently, Coventry has 318,000 people enrolled in its MA fee-for-service product, a total that has grown 65% over the past year.
Likewise, WellCare announced that it would not be renewing its MA private fee-for-service contracts for next year. The insurer has approximately 110,000 members receiving such coverage.
In West Virginia, Coventry (Carelink) will discontinue its coverage of PEIA retirees as of December 31, 2009. Retirees will return to Medicare primary and PEIA secondary coverage.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The 2009 West Virginia Office Managers Association State Conference will be held on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23 at the Pullman Plaza in Huntington, West Virginia. This conference is always a great educational opportunity for office managers. Not only are the sessions jam packed with outstanding speakers, but the networking opportunities are abundant. Managers are able to share experiences and assistance with others who may be experiencing the same issues. This is also a good place for new managers to form mentoring relationships with more seasoned managers.
Physicians and their practices can benefit greatly from the knowledge and practical information that their office managers gain at a conference such as the OMA meeting.
For additional information, please contact Toni Charlton, OMA President (Antoinette.Charlton@sw-rmc.com) or your local chapter of the OMA.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The West Virginia Medical Group Managers Association has announced plans for its Fall Conference. The fall conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, September 17th and 18th, at the Stonewall Jackson Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia.
For information about the WVMGMA, please contact Diana Williamson, WVMGMA President (diana@wvneuro.com).
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Summer Physician Practice Management Conference which was scheduled for August 27th in Lewisburg, West Virginia, has been postponed. |
|
|
Top
|
|
May 28, 2009
|
