Fwd: House to vote on one-year SGR patch

[Fran Sembert]

Melissa,

Will you queue this up to go out?

Thanks, Fran

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jennifer McLaughlin <jmcla...@mgma.org>
Date: March 26, 2014 at 6:00:55 PM EDT
To: Jennifer McLaughlin <jmcla...@mgma.org>
Subject: FW: House to vote on one-year SGR patch

Dear state MGMA legislative liaisons,

 

As you can see from the Washington Connection below, things are evolving rapidly here in Washington. Please make sure to forward this important edition of the Connection to your state MGMA membership. We’ll keep you apprised of major developments.

 

Sincerely,

Jennifer

 

Jennifer McLaughlin

Government Affairs Representative

Eastern and Western Sections

Medical Group Management Association

1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Suite 600

Washington, DC 20006

202-293-3450

 

Advancing Leaders. Advancing Practices.^TM

 

Please click here to view our mobile device or web version.

March 26, 2014 - In this issue: - House to vote on one-year SGR patch - March 31 Attestation Deadline for Meaningful Use - Medicare to only accept revised CMS 1500 paper claim form starting April 1 - ACO application deadline April 1   House to vote on one-year SGR patch It is expected that the House of Representatives will vote tomorrow on legislation that would delay the impending 24% cut to Medicare physician payments resulting from the sustainable growth rate formula (SGR) for 12 months. The bill contains a number of additional provisions including a one-year delay in the implementation of ICD-10, the extension of the 1.0 work Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) floor and therapy cap exceptions process through March 31, 2015. Also included in the legislation are provisions which would reform the current Medicare clinical diagnostic laboratory fee schedule, as well as a provision which would put "appropriate use" criteria in place for certain imaging services.    There are mixed signals coming out of the Senate. Despite recent press reports that a one-year deal has been fully agreed to by the House and Senate, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, issued a statement today urging continued negotiations on a full repeal of the SGR. MGMA will continue to advocate for permanent SGR repeal and will update members as negotiations continue.    March 31 attestation deadline for Meaningful Use  Eligible professionals (EPs) have until the end of the day on March 31 to attest to meeting the Meaningful Use requirements for the 2013 reporting year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently extended the deadline after MGMA raised concerns that website related issues could result in EPs not being ready in time. CMS is concerned that high traffic close to the end of the month could lead to additional system delays and recommends EPs submit their attestation data as early as possible to avoid any problems. In preparation for the deadline, MGMA has updated its Meaningful Use Top Member Questions and encourages members to visit our Meaningful Use Resource Center for more information.     Medicare to only accept revised CMS 1500 paper claim form starting April 1 Starting on April 1, Medicare will only accept professional and supplier paper claims on the revised CMS 1500 claim form. While commercial health plans are not required to adopt the April 1 date, many are expected to do so. Some practice management system (PM) software utilize the 1500 form as well. Practice professionals are encouraged to reach out to their health plans to determine which version of the 1500 form they will accept and speak to their PM vendor to ensure that the software has been updated to accommodate the new form.   Visit the National Uniform Claim Committee website to review the new 1500 claim form, revised 1500 claim form instructions and revised taxonomy codes. In addition, you can purchase the revised CMS 1500 paper claim form from the United States Government Printing Office, as well as from private printers.    ACO application deadline April 1 April 1 is the application deadline for those wishing to become a Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (ACO) starting in 2015. Visit CMS' Shared Savings Program Application webpage for more details, including application materials. For more information on ACOs, visit MGMA's ACO Resource Center.	Most Read Articles: CMS issues guidance on Meaningful Use hardship exemption MGMA addresses in-office exception to "Stark" Law MGMA urges CMS to revisit ACA 90-day grace period     Top Member Resources: Newly Updated  Meaningful Use Top Member Questions PQRS-Value Modifier Survival Guide EFT/ERA Guide
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