How To Bill for H1N1 - Updated Information and Video
Now that we are in full swing with the H1N1, there is a video on YouTube you can watch and easily reference for some coding guidelines. The video can be viewed at the link below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZz7eAeGmhc A practice can’t charge for the vaccine, but can charge for administering the shot. V04.81 is the Diganosis [...] ( More info )

New HIPAA Laws for Business Associates Effective February 17, 2010 Chrirpractors Too
Whether or not you are aware or not the new HIPAA requirements are on the horizon this week.  The new laws are to enforce privacy options and require a form of “business associate” agreement as the laws are changing to where business associates can now be held responsible in many areas including security breaches. If you [...] ( More info )

Healthcare Billing & Management Association Hosting 2010 Compliance Conference
Medical billing is one area that represents constant change.  If it is not the insurance carriers, we have new provisions with Medicare to keep on top of, such as no consultation code with Medicare.  If you are providing medical billing services to clients, this meeting could be one you might want to put on your [...] ( More info )

Billing Changes for Inpatient Care - Hospitals
 One big important change is the use of past billing records, this is being done to help combat fraud and errors.  One other item worth mentioning is the fact they now want legible signatures, which might be a challenge to some.  Durable medical equipment must also be properly documented. A Medicare initiative to better calculate fee-for-service [...] ( More info )

Medicare Consultation Codes are Changing
 Here’s a brief summary of what to expect and which codes to use.  There has been no word yet from commercial carriers on what their position will be with the provisions.  This is something to give some consideration if Medicare is the secondary payer on claims as you may end up with a denial on [...] ( More info )

Physicians: Are You Compliant with Recent HIPAA Changes?
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which was enacted last year and took full effect last month, has added additional privacy and security safeguards to existing HIPAA regulations. ( More info )

CMA Publishes Timely Access Guide for Physicians
The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) recently finalized regulations that require HMO patients to be seen within certain timeframes for various levels of care. ( More info )

Court Upholds Governor's Furloughs of Medical Board Staff and Shifting of Agency's Funds to Other State Programs
Only days after an Alameda County Superior Court ruled that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lacks authority to furlough employees of special fund agencies, including the Medical Board of California, a San Francisco County Superior Court issued a contrary opinion today saying the governor acted legally in furloughing Medical Board staff and shifting the agency's funding to other state programs. ( More info )

Congress Stops SGR Cuts through March 31; CMA Fighting for Permanent Repeal
Responding to strong pressure from CMA, AMA, and seniors, Congress passed and the President signed HR 4691, legislation stopping the 21 percent cut to Medicare payment rates to physicians through March 31. ( More info )

Health Reform Update
The health reform debate in Washington took a new turn this week, when President Obama called on Congress to give health reform an up or down vote by March 18. ( More info )

CMA's Council on Legislation Convenes to Set Legislative Priorities for 2010
CMA's Council on Legislation (COL) – comprised of more than 60 physicians from around the state – will meet next week in Sacramento to discuss the association's legislative priorities for 2010. ( More info )

Reminder: Blue Cross Healthy Families Continuity of Care Plan Ends 3/31
In March of last year, Blue Cross announced that it would require physicians to sign a separate contract and accept reduced rates if they want to continue treating Blue Cross-insured Healthy Families and AIM patients. ( More info )

Tomorrow Is Early Bird Deadline for CMA's 13th Annual Health Care Leadership Academy
Registration is now open for CMA's 13th Annual California Health Care Leadership Academy, April 9-11 in San Diego. ( More info )

Registration Now Open for CMA's Legislative Leadership Conference
Registration is now open for CMA's 36th Annual Legislative Leadership Conference. ( More info )

Patient Cough and Cold Kits Now Available from the CMA Foundation
The California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation's Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE) Project understands how difficult it is for physicians to deal with the many patients who visit their offices with colds or other viral infections and expect a prescription for an antibiotic. ( More info )