tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74175724118329043922012-01-24T10:47:58.485-06:00Blog of the AANEM Policy DepartmentMegan Fogelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963413259718869337noreply@blogger.comBlogger1011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-81349828575758646552011-06-28T13:17:00.000-05:002011-06-28T13:17:47.114-05:00

Originally designed as a board of impartial experts to oversee the health care system and develop recommendations regarding the procedures, medications and spending priorities for Medicare and Medicaid, criticism against the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) reached a new level last week, when  a robust cross-section of health care stakeholders signed a letter to members of Congress

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-85615070890890616992011-06-06T10:04:00.000-05:002011-06-06T10:04:15.587-05:00

On June 3rd, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced proposed rules that will give certain organizations access to Medicare data.  The proposed rule supports efforts of the health reform law to improve health care quality and lower costs.  Currently, private insurance companies sometimes make quality assessments on physicians based on their own claims data.  While the

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-28551714328440906622011-06-03T12:35:00.000-05:002011-06-03T12:35:42.171-05:00

The American Medical Association has announced it's new executive vice president and CEO.  Effective July 1, 2011, James L. Madara, MD will become the top executive of the AMA. He will replace Michael Maves, who announced last November that he would be stepping down. Madara, a pathologist and gastroenterologist, has most recently served as senior adviser at Leavitt Partners, a health care

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-2549057732024512302011-05-31T10:36:00.000-05:002011-05-31T10:36:20.734-05:00

On May 26th, CMS released a proposed rule that would give physicians another way to avoid a 1% cut in Medicare payments in 2012 if they have failed to complete at least 10 paperless drug orders using an e-prescribing system in the first half of 2011. While the original E-prescribing rule made exemptions for rural physicians with limited Internet access or doctors in areas with few pharmacies

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-69959586807407467422011-05-18T10:08:00.000-05:002011-05-18T10:08:16.589-05:00

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday announced three new ideas to drive interest among healthcare providers for forming an accountable care organization.  The initiatives will be run by the newly created Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, which is a byproduct of the Affordable Care Act.   The new "Pioneer" ACO would allow existing integrated-care organizations that

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-12832021917853620532011-05-06T11:32:00.000-05:002011-05-06T11:32:02.262-05:00

Three of the nation's largest physician groups told Congress on Thursday that Medicare needs to overhaul the way it pays for care.  The American Medical Association, along with the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Surgeons testified before the House Energy and Commerce Health subpanel about proposals to replace the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, which if

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-54492549168618942632011-04-19T15:10:00.000-05:002011-04-19T15:10:29.929-05:00

Last month, legislators in Rhode Island introduced bills in the House and Senate that set a minimum reimbursement rate for commercial payers.  The bills are in response to a study that shows most Rhode Island physicians are paid substantially less by commercial insurers than their counterparts in Connecticut and Massachusetts.  This is particularly problematic for medical specialists. Payment

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-38081422576674071832011-04-12T09:24:00.000-05:002011-04-12T09:24:27.058-05:00

Last week, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services named Farzad Mostashari, MD, as the new National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, effective immediately. He replaces Dr. David Blumenthal, who is returning to Harvard University after leading Office for the past two years, the Department of Health and Human Services announced. Trained at the Harvard School of Public Health

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-59121769250326979852011-03-15T09:52:00.000-05:002011-03-15T09:52:06.548-05:00

By 2012, you may have access to an easy-to-use Internet-based tool that can replace mail and fax transmissions of patient data with secure, efficient electronic health information exchange (HIE), thanks in part to physicians and other health care providers now testing HIE using specifications developed by the Direct Project. The Direct Project is a streamlined version of the Nationwide Health

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-47201663759918366022011-03-04T10:41:00.000-06:002011-03-04T10:41:10.008-06:00

Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) plan to cosponsor legislation requiring the Department of Health & Human Services to publicize information on Medicare payments made to  physicians.  This information has been off limits to the public since the 1970's, when the Florida Medical Association and the American Medical Association sued to keep it secret.  The issue has resurfaced

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-81726716432614683922011-02-23T14:36:00.000-06:002011-02-23T14:36:13.195-06:00

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act made a number of change to the Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP programs designed to combat fraud, waste and abuse. Effective March 25, 2011, various screening tools, including unannounced site visits and criminal background checks may become standard procedure when a provider or supplier enrolls or re-validates their participation in these programs. 

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-81304508371458847942011-02-17T10:15:00.000-06:002011-02-17T10:15:17.726-06:00

The White House budget released on Monday includes a two-year fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula, which determines Medicare reimbursements.  The two-year proposal includes a number of politically tough provisions, such as getting generic versions of biologic drugs to market faster and restricting generic manufacturer's ability to drop patent challenges in exchange for cash payments

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-47687919795314148692011-02-04T09:19:00.000-06:002011-02-04T09:19:32.340-06:00

Medicare took steps this week to make it easier for patients to file complaints about unsatisfactory medical care. Already, hospitals must give patients a written notice telling them how to file a complaint with an independent review agency. Under the new proposal, the rule would be expanded to clinics, home health agencies, surgery centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, hospices and

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-87963366779628970662011-01-19T10:39:00.000-06:002011-01-19T10:39:01.183-06:00

Five national health care advocacy groups are suing the federal government, saying Medicare benefits are being cut for people with Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and stroke.  The class action lawsuit is the first to mount a broad challenge to a controversial Medicare policy requiring patients achieve demonstrable improvements in functioning to qualify for physical, speech or occupational

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-25148249421068450372011-01-10T10:55:00.000-06:002011-01-10T10:55:29.423-06:00

With rapid changes in healthcare comes a new vocabulary with terms and phrases every provider should know. According to the Healthleadersmedia.com website, these phrases will be heard many times in 2011: EHR-EMR-HIT - these acronyms are among the most important to know and understand.  Using technology to connect providers and patient data will be the number one issue in 2011. Creative

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-64238924520317617062010-12-28T15:30:00.000-06:002010-12-28T15:30:37.396-06:00

With millions of dollars available for physician practices, the year 2010 started with the unveiling of the proposed rules for Meaningful Use last January.  February offered time for provides to understand the proposed rules and provide feedback to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In March, the healthcare reform bill, which includes benchmarks that emphasize quality care,

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-49758260533969315822010-12-20T12:54:00.000-06:002010-12-20T12:54:25.488-06:00

CMS has taken their fight against health care fraud to a new level, announcing the start of a partnership with companies that provide predictive modeling to anticipate and prevent potentially wasteful, abusive or fraudulent payments before they occur. Soon, every Medicare claim will be subject to a computerized analysis that reveals all claims paid to that provider.  By tracking billing

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-40869832868813626452010-12-14T14:55:00.000-06:002010-12-14T14:55:08.255-06:00

Two hundred million dollars has been included in the recently passed Medicare & Medicaid Extenders Act to address overdue Medicare reimbursements that should have been received by physicians under the Affordable Care Act (ACA ) of 2010. ACA called on CMS to reimburse physicians retroactively to January 1, 2010 for calculation errors in the geographic practice cost index (GPCI) for work and

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-85256563256144518562010-12-13T16:49:00.000-06:002010-12-13T16:49:47.627-06:00

A Midwest maker of neurostimulation devices disclosed that it has received a subpoena from the US Attorney's office for the Western District of New York related to the sales of it's devices and reimbursement to physicians who use the products.  The subpoena is seeking information regarding sales, marketing and reimbursement and is related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act of

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-33988559187616388552010-11-29T14:33:00.000-06:002010-11-29T14:33:18.171-06:00

The Food and Drug Administration has extended Merck's priority review of the drug cladribine, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator, by three months to examine additional information on the product.  The FDA's decision puts Merck further behind in the race to provide MS patients in the United States with a first-line oral treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. In MS, the

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-15231840431544757002010-11-18T15:16:00.000-06:002010-11-18T15:16:40.375-06:00

Insurance has traditionally been regulated at the state level. When health insurers sell policies, they charge premiums. The share of premiums NOT paid out on health care claims goes towards administrative expenses, marketing costs and profits. The share of premiums paid out is termed "medical loss ratio."  State imposed medical loss ratios vary widely. North Dakota currently requires a 55%

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-36183906797447169312010-10-29T11:16:00.000-05:002010-10-29T11:16:38.478-05:00

A new study released by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) shows that up to 50% of healthcare provides have either adopted electronic health records are are partially using them. The study, which included 300 US healthcare providers, found that 34% are now using a "comprehensive" electronic health record system and 16% say they are using a "partial" system. About 29% said

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-67457853680721841312010-10-25T10:13:00.000-05:002010-10-25T10:13:35.485-05:00

A quick review of the Office of Inspector General's work plan indicates 2011 reviews will continue to focus on ensuring providers can justify the appropriateness of what they are doing, either from a clincial perspective or a documentation perspective.  Evaluation & Management (E&M) claims will be evaluated to ensure:  Documentation supports the level of service reported - specifically that

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-59389391998820663642010-10-20T15:15:00.000-05:002010-10-20T15:15:35.766-05:00

The Health IT Policy Committee, a federal advisory group, has begun work on developing the meaningful use requirements for stages 2 and 3 of the federal Medicare and Medicaid healthcare IT adoption incentive program.  Stage 1 incentives begin in January, 2011 and CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology will begin monitoring data submitted to help

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-36314165005537344332010-09-27T13:13:00.000-05:002010-09-27T13:13:39.824-05:00

Is there a gap in the medical research system?  A recent segment on PBS highlights the need to change the model for connecting academic research to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.   Their premise:  Basic scientific research may address intriguing scientific questions, but doesn’t always focus on research that might help the patient the most.  Instead, a more collaborative approach will

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-26424484454546518132010-09-13T11:05:00.000-05:002010-09-13T11:05:59.282-05:00

Earlier this year, legislators in the state of Washington passed a first of a kind bill that changes the way providers can prescribe opiates to chronic pain patients.  This bill directs five boards and commissions to adopt rules concerning management of chronic, noncancer pain. Thus far, it appears the rules will govern how physicians and other prescribers maintain and update detailed screening,

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-31130236610847921792010-08-20T15:34:00.000-05:002010-08-20T15:34:17.047-05:00

The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in July that “physician assistants are precluded by statute from performing EMG needle tests.” This ruling was the result of a case involving a physician billing for EMG studies performed by a physician assistant. The court relied heavily on the legislative intent of the statutory language added in 2005 that limits performance of needle

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-85773016603251363352010-08-18T08:31:00.000-05:002010-08-18T08:31:27.833-05:00

Normally, a lawsuit involves the plaintiffs (who bring the suit), and the defendants (whom the suit is brought against). A motion to intervene is used when a someone not party to a lawsuit in progress wants to become a party in that suit. On Monday, August 16th, AANEM joined forces with 25 other medical societies to file a motion to intervene in the AMA lawsuit seeking relief from the Red Flag

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-48157304132390108382010-08-11T09:16:00.000-05:002010-08-11T09:16:36.611-05:00

Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia are the latest to receive federal matching funds for state planning activities necessary to implement the electronic health record incentive program established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The recipients will use the funds for planning activities that include an

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-39500589172562417922010-08-02T12:48:00.000-05:002010-08-02T12:48:01.272-05:00

As part of the HITECH act, Regional Extension Centers were established to offer technical assistance, guidance and information to support and accelerate health care provider's efforts to become meaningful users of an Electronic Health Record.  The federally designated Regional Extension Center for New York City (NYC REACH) will be offering an electronic medical record and practice management

aanembloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07027610302050921593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-26127482278023212852010-07-01T11:06:00.002-05:002010-07-01T11:13:48.990-05:00

The "Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010" establishes a 2.2 percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule payment rates retroactive from June 1 through November 30, 2010. CMS has directed Medicare claims administrative contractors to discontinue processing claims at the negative update rates and to temporarily hold all claims for

AANEM Policy Departmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408062187002959833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-13191140267727350442010-06-25T10:59:00.000-05:002010-07-01T11:06:32.005-05:00

On June 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962, the "Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010." This legislation includes provisions to replace the 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut that took effect at the beginning of June with a 2.2 percent payment update that will extend through November 2010.

AANEM Policy Departmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408062187002959833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-63505293804405648952010-06-01T12:25:00.002-05:002010-06-01T13:20:12.398-05:00

The House passed an amended version of the “American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010,” which includes a provision to suspend Medicare physician payment cuts produced by the SGR formula for 19 months. The Act will prevent the 21% cut originally scheduled for 2010, with the House proposing a 2.2% payment update for the remainder of this year, and a 1% update for 2011. Under the House’s

AANEM Policy Departmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408062187002959833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-75202671847667417342010-06-01T12:04:00.006-05:002010-06-01T12:23:40.538-05:00

On May 28, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, for the fifth time, it will again delay enforcement date of the Red Flags Rule—this time through December 31, 2010. The AANEM along with many other physician organization oppose the FTC’s view that any physician who does not require payment at the time patients receive medical services is bound to comply with the Red Flags Rule, which

AANEM Policy Departmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408062187002959833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-30699411796605588672010-05-26T08:38:00.001-05:002010-05-26T08:38:51.473-05:00

The AP (5/26) reports that the Food and Drug Administration "approved Genzyme's drug to treat a muscle development disease." The drug, called Lumizyme (alglucosidase alfa), has just been approved to treat patients with Pompe disease in the United States and is currently manufactured in Belgium, where it is known as Myozyme. The Boston Globe (5/26, Weisman) reports, "The decision represents the

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-29826536367151525202010-05-18T13:42:00.000-05:002010-05-18T13:42:45.834-05:00

The AP (5/18) reports, "Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Monday its potential Lou Gehrig's disease treatment," talampanel, "failed to meet a key goal in a midstage study." The drug failed to meet its effectiveness goal in a study of 559 patients, although it did meet its safety goals.

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-81130101673139611722010-05-13T14:58:00.000-05:002010-05-17T14:59:23.916-05:00

Please take a short survey designed by the AMA to determine how threatened cuts to Medicare physician payments and instability in the Medicare program are affecting physician practices. The survey will be open through close of business May 21, and results will be used in advocacy efforts to reform Medicare's current physician payment formula.

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-89797665355963677802010-05-11T10:17:00.000-05:002010-05-11T10:17:22.158-05:00

Laura Landro writes in the Wall Street Journal (5/11) The Informed Patient column that peripheral-nerve stimulation, a procedure which allows a physician to implant a tiny, battery-operated generator, is one of a growing number of treatments for people who endure chronic pain, and who have been unable to find relief from drugs, physical therapy, or even acupuncture. The procedures typically cost

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-87722002864285690432010-05-04T14:09:00.000-05:002010-05-04T14:09:14.214-05:00

The Hill (5/3, Brush) "On the Money" blog reported that several "of the nation's largest healthcare associations," including the American Medical Association, "are warning Congress that they would fall under sweeping new financial regulations aimed at Wall Street." The association, in a letter, "said the scope and reach of a new consumer financial protection office are too broad and that they

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-83978839800665854172010-04-23T16:06:00.007-05:002010-05-04T16:09:12.353-05:00

The American Medical Association (AMA) today launched a new online resource that will help thousands of physicians file claims in the record-breaking settlement reached in the AMA legal victory against UnitedHealth Group—the nation’s largest health insurer. More than $350 million is available to compensate physicians and their patients for 15 years of artificially low payments for out-of-network

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-10817730386464331522010-04-17T12:40:00.000-05:002010-04-20T12:41:26.534-05:00

On the front page of its Business Day section, the New York Times (4/16, B1, Pollack) reports that thousands of people "have been hard hit by a shortage of drugs made by the biotechnology company Genzyme to treat two rare inherited" conditions, Fabry disease and Pompe disease. As a result, "the close relationship -- unusual in the pharmaceutical industry -- that Genzyme had carefully built with

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-53174300584075024952010-04-16T11:59:00.000-05:002010-04-20T12:02:06.441-05:00

Last night, the President signed H.R. 4851, the Continuing Extension Act of 2010, into law, reinstating Medicare physician payments to where they were on March 31 and again postponing the 21.3 percent cut that was supposed to take effect in 2010. This most recent extension of 2009 payment rates will continue through the end of May, and will be applied retroactively to all physician services

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-25684840578715514602010-04-13T09:34:00.000-05:002010-04-13T09:34:11.250-05:00

Yesterday the Senate voted 60-34 to limit debate on a bill that extends a number of expiring programs, including a dealy of the 21% Medicare physician payment cut. No deal has been struck to expedite passage of the bill. Without such an agreement, Senate procedures do not allow for a final vote until later in the week. CMS instructed its carriers to refrain from processing any claims for

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-68474730954296015382010-04-06T09:59:00.000-05:002010-04-06T09:59:01.750-05:00

The AP (4/6, Cheng) reports, "Lithium doesn't help patients with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, contrary to previous study results, new research says." For the "first trial to scientifically assess whether lithium works for Lou Gehrig's disease, doctors found it had no effect -- and stopped the study early because it seemed futile." Eighty-four "patients with Lou Gehrig's disease" were enrolled in

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-30341517910840610452010-03-29T15:52:00.000-05:002010-04-01T16:17:53.571-05:00

I don't believe CPT's resequencing initative altered any codes that are used for EDX studies. Here is a short summary in case members encounter it in other aspects of their practice. Instead of deleting and renumbering codes in order to display related codes together, resequencing allows adjacent placement of related concepts in the codebook regardless of the availability of code numbers for

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-58657848021329696772010-03-26T16:08:00.001-05:002010-03-29T14:12:01.756-05:00

CMS is working with Congress, health care providers, and the beneficiary community to avoid disruption in the delivery of services and payment of claims paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). The Temporary Extension Act of 2010, enacted on March 2, 2010, extended the 0% update to the 2010 MPFS through March 31, 2010. CMS believes Congress will take measures to avert the negative

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-69686805127874471742010-03-24T09:41:00.001-05:002010-03-24T09:41:29.355-05:00

AMA Morning Rounds compiled this summary of news coverage. Obama signs healthcare bill into law. The signing of the healthcare reform legislation received very extensive, and overwhelmingly positive, media coverage, much of it casting the event as a historic occasion and as a major triumph for the President and his party. While Republicans continued to appear confident that the new law will be

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-16445542635158205582010-03-23T08:46:00.008-05:002010-03-25T09:13:54.067-05:00

The much anticipated Electrodiagnostic (EDX) Laboratory Accreditation Program is ready for its first applications. Be among the first EDX laboratories to become accredited. The program recognizes laboratories that demonstrate clinical excellence and commitment to providing the highest quality patient care. The AANEM EDX Laboratory Accreditation designation provides patients, referral sources, and

Megan Fogelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963413259718869337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-88772124609936525022010-03-22T08:48:00.000-05:002010-03-22T08:48:15.062-05:00

Last night the House passed the Senate-approved healthcare reform bill 219-212. After passing the bill, the House proceeded to approve "key changes" to it, "part of a prearranged agreement to guarantee passage of the historic legislation. The changes passed by a 220-211 vote. That bill now goes to the Senate for final approval, where it only requires a simple majority to pass. Passage in the

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-77510340382551018652010-03-17T15:39:00.021-05:002010-04-01T16:24:09.505-05:00

MLN Matters® SE1010 provides further clarity from CMS for those who who perform initial E/M services previously reported by CPT consultation codes for Medicare beneficiaries and submit claims to Medicare MACs for those services. The document follows a Q&A format. It includes the first information I have seen from CMS regarding low-level inpatient consultation codes 99251 and 99252. A question on

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-83782661873835293872010-03-11T09:42:00.000-06:002010-03-11T09:42:32.788-06:00

The AP (3/10) reported, "Cytokinetics Inc. said Wednesday regulators have granted 'orphan drug' status to its potential" amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or "Lou Gehrig's disease treatment." The company also "said it plans to start a mid-stage clinical trial in the first half of this year to test the drug's effectiveness." Reuters (3/10, Sengupta) noted that the drug is called CK-2017357.

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-30564163284130235412010-03-11T09:28:00.003-06:002010-03-12T09:30:13.490-06:00

The U.S. Senate voted yesterday to delay this year's 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payments until Oct. 1. The AMA continues to call for permanent reform of Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula. "If the House adopts this Senate bill, America's seniors and their physicians will be left in limbo, and access to health care for Medicare patients will continue to be in grave danger," AMA

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-47320317388074947132010-03-10T09:57:00.000-06:002010-03-10T09:57:24.888-06:00

The AP (3/10, Perrone) reports that "the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it approved Allergan's...Botox [Botulinum toxin Type A] to treat spasms of the elbow, wrist and fingers." The agency "stressed in a statement that Botox is not approved to treat spasms in larger muscles of the arms or legs." In 2009, "the agency added warnings to Botox about its potential to migrate from limbs to

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-11324055081309912772010-03-04T15:30:00.001-06:002010-03-10T09:57:56.987-06:00

The AP (3/3) reported that "Bristol-Myers Squibb and Allergan will jointly attempt to develop a drug to treat chronic pain from tissue damage, the drugmakers said." According to the AP, "the drug is said to be ready for mid-stage human trials as a treatment for neuropathic pain, or chronic pain usually accompanied by tissue injury. It is common in people with arthritis, cancer, and nerve damage."

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-21191443988382309652010-03-03T17:04:00.001-06:002010-03-04T15:27:59.854-06:00

Last night the Senate voted 78-19 to pass H.R. 4691, the "Temporary Extension Act of 2010," which included provisions to extend 2009 Medicare physician payment rates through the end of the month. As a result, the 21% payment cut that took effect on March 1 has been postponed until April 1. The bill passed the House on February 25, only to encounter opposition on the Senate floor by Senator Jim

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-88890776191881946832010-02-26T14:06:00.010-06:002010-03-01T13:25:11.882-06:00

Yesterday, the House passed HR 4691, legislation that extends a number of expiring programs for 30 days, including current Medicare physician payment rates, which would once again postpone the 21% cut that was scheduled to take effect this year. The Senate attempted unsuccessfully on several occasions last night and this morning to pass the same bill by unanimous consent, but objections were

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-81849798864053179412010-02-22T10:24:00.001-06:002010-02-24T09:16:42.288-06:00

This morning I found an interesting question in my email: "Is needle EMG through a tattoo contraindicated?" The physician who inquired was concerned about both an increased risk of infection and possible damage to the tattoo. The AANEM does not address this issue in any of its documents, although Risks in Electrodiagnostic Medicine says, "Insertion of needle electrodes through infected skin or

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-38079260806202786562010-02-18T09:33:00.000-06:002010-02-18T09:33:44.683-06:00

USA Today (2/18, Sternberg) reports that "thousands of children and adolescents with neuromuscular disorders, asthma and other conditions...are suffering consequences of H1N1 that will linger long after the 2009/2010 swine flu pandemic ends." Although "no one knows exactly why flu has such a devastating effect on" these children, "the evidence has been mounting since late 2005. Researchers at

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-23603137716315928892010-02-10T10:20:00.006-06:002010-02-17T10:23:33.075-06:00

Physicians may now access their 2007 re-run and 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) data through a new tool. CMS has created the “Verify Report Portal” which is available on the PQRI Qualitynet Portal. In addition to PQRI information, these reports will provide individual physicians with information on their Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule allowed charges for the 2007 or

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-39216711873706113402010-02-03T17:39:00.003-06:002010-03-24T13:28:43.271-05:00

A recent JAMA commentary by AANEM member Dr. Andy Haig, notes that while most surgeons use imaging to diagnose stenosis and make surgical recommendations, recent studies have shed doubt on the ability of imaging to confirm a diagnosis of stenosis. In contrast, new data has shown that paraspinal mapping can reliably identify patients with clinical stenosis. Haig says there are three key steps that

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-10369240585369271102010-02-03T09:20:00.000-06:002010-02-09T09:22:30.317-06:00

The clock is ticking—tell your senators to repeal the SGR. With a 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payments scheduled to take effect in just 20 days, the time to persuade lawmakers to pass a permanent repeal of Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula is ticking away. Contact your U.S. senators and insist that they pass legislation to repeal the SGR formula to avert the cuts, which

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-39491663440368862732010-01-29T13:22:00.003-06:002010-02-01T16:29:28.247-06:00

On January 16, one of his last days in office, Governor Jon Corzine signed into law a bill correcting an error that restricted both performance and interpretation of NCSs to physicians and certain other health care professionals. The law took effect immediately. It is now again be statutorily legal for physicians to supervise the performance of NCSs by technologists. It was never the

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-46875791881725659842010-01-27T11:02:00.003-06:002010-01-29T16:42:18.459-06:00

CPT just released an informational memo addressing consultation services and transfer of care. Much of the memo will not apply for Medicare patients since CMS is no longer accepting consultation codes. The memo suggests that Medicare contractor websites are the best place to locate further coding inforamtion for Medicare patients. Unfortunately, a lack of direction from CMS to contractors has

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-84959683472657755952010-01-22T08:49:00.000-06:002010-01-22T08:49:28.328-06:00

The AP (1/21) reported, "Genzyme Corp. said Thursday the Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to make a decision on its Pompe disease drug Lumizyme [alglucosidase alfa] by June 17." The agency "had refused to approve Lumizyme until Genzyme fixed manufacturing problems at a facility in Allston Landing, MA," where "some of the bioreactors...contained a virus that slowed down the production of

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-51775637701455520872010-01-20T13:30:00.000-06:002010-01-20T13:30:04.083-06:00

Last year, CMS established a payment dispute resolution process for physicians who encountered problems in getting accurate compensation from Medicare Advantage (MA) private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans. Now, CMS has expanded the process to include non-contracted physicians and to include all MA organizations, including HMOs and PPOs, not just PFFS plans. The dispute resolution process can be

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-30257352691955680542010-01-15T11:46:00.001-06:002010-01-15T15:53:03.433-06:00

Parenthetical directions below code 95870 refer users to 95860-95864 when reporting a complete study of an extremity(s). It's not always clear what this means. I have heard from some members who want more information regarding what constitutes a complete study versus a limited study, and when to use the limited code in general.First, the language of the code 95870 is helpful. "Needle

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-66065698623613169782010-01-11T09:47:00.000-06:002010-01-15T10:05:46.739-06:00

Occasionally I am contacted by a member who wants to know if it is possible bill for the needle electrodes that are used to perform EMG. It is incorrect to report this supply separately becasue it is already included int he value of the procedure code. Some of these people have tried reporting HCPCS supply code A4215: Needle, sterile, any size, each. I suspect that most of the communication I

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-6122661107577856752010-01-04T11:20:00.000-06:002010-01-04T11:20:57.357-06:00

Medicare released a Medicare Learning Network bulletin last month that provides additional guidance on billling patient visits instead of consultations. This change regulatory change was discussed in an earlier post when first finalized in November.

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-35103985095330424132009-12-30T15:05:00.004-06:002009-12-30T16:20:29.694-06:00

A new guideline issued by the AAN finds that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), a widely used pain therapy involving a portable device, is not recommended to treat chronic low-back pain pain that has persisted for 3 months or longer because research shows it is not effective. The guideline is published in the December 30 online issue of Neurology®. The guideline also determined

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-24355782334561596722009-12-28T08:15:00.003-06:002009-12-29T11:31:25.414-06:00

In a 60-39 party line vote, the Senate passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the morning on December 24. Prior to the Senate vote, AMA President-elect Cecil B. Wilson, MD, announced the Association's backing during a Dec. 21 Capitol Hill appearance with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, Nev.) and other top Democrats. Dr. Wilson noted that the leaders had amended the bill

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-72177553424656088442009-12-23T15:43:00.001-06:002009-12-23T15:47:20.431-06:00

Last week Congress temporarily averted the 21.2% Medicare physician payment cut. On December 19, President Obama signed the bill which will stop the cuts until March 1, 2010. Other changes reflected in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule will still take effect on January 1, 2010 and may have a slight impact on the conversion factor used for the first two months of 2010. Similar to

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-53670634918580157182009-12-23T15:33:00.000-06:002009-12-23T16:42:41.877-06:00

After carefully evaluating the changes contained in the manager's amendment filed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the AMA Board of Trustees voted to support passage of H.R. 3590. In a letter of support to Sen. Reid, the AMA noted the need for additional changes in the final conference committee agreement that reconciles the differences between the House and Senate bills. The AMA

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-85263380134668527122009-12-21T15:45:00.007-06:002010-01-15T11:49:18.217-06:00

Yesterday the President has signed, a measure that extends the current Medicare physician payment rate for the next two months, thus blocking a 21.2 percent reduction that was scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1 under the SGR formula. The two-month payment patch, which was passed as part of a massive defense appropriations bill, gives lawmakers more time to replace the SGR payment formula.

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-37398344359403047222009-12-16T17:06:00.000-06:002009-12-16T17:06:57.268-06:00

This afternoon, the House passed a 2-month extension of expiring appropriations for the Department of Defense that included a 2-month extension of the sustainable growth rate (SGR). In other words, the legislation would stop the 21.2% Medicare pay cut scheduled take effect on January 1 for a period that will end March 1, 2010. The legislation does not affect any of the other payment policies

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-13223593863380946502009-12-11T07:37:00.001-06:002009-12-11T07:37:00.295-06:00

The AP (12/10) reports, "Sangamo Biosciences Inc. said Wednesday that early data from a clinical trial shows its Lou Gehrig's disease drug candidate," SB-509, "improved patients' muscle function." Patients injected with the drug "were about twice as likely to have improved muscular function," according to Sangamo. Specifically, "32 percent of patients who received SB-509 had improved muscle

AANEM Policy Departmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408062187002959833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-71791488091512919152009-12-10T08:33:00.000-06:002009-12-10T08:33:24.818-06:00

Are you preparing for the compliance deadlines for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 5010 standard transactions, the next version of HIPAA? Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, physicians will be required to use only the 5010 standard transactions when conducting them electronically. The AMA has prepared several educational resources to assist physicians with implementing the

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-38044670114116122222009-12-08T09:53:00.002-06:002009-12-08T09:53:37.653-06:00

In the New York Times (12/8, D7) Personal Health column, Jane Brody writes, "Recent studies have begun to unravel the mysteries of essential tremor," a condition characterized by "uncontrollable shaking...that is not due to some other condition." According to Dr. Elan D. Louis, of Columbia University, the progress is marked by "discoveries in three areas -- the brain, clinical findings, and

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-82687840408883663942009-12-04T08:22:00.000-06:002009-12-04T08:22:38.655-06:00

The AP (12/2) reported that the FDA "lifted a nearly two-year suspension on development of" CytRx Corp.'s "arimoclomol as a treatment for Lou Gehrig's disease." The agency "halted arimoclomol studies" in January 2008, "citing the need for additional analysis from previously completed animal studies with arimoclomol." Reuters (12/2) reported that the FDA accepted CytRx's revised trial protocol to

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-46857151010389074622009-12-02T09:46:00.001-06:002009-12-02T10:05:18.478-06:00

In a November 24th ruling, Austin State District Judge Stephen Yelenosky said state law prevents chiropractors from performing clinical needle electromyography (EMG) or spinal manipulation under anesthesia (MUA). Yelenosky granted a Texas Medical Association and Texas Medical Board request for a partial summary judgment against the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Texas

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-4511497275413722542009-11-30T10:37:00.005-06:002009-12-02T11:30:22.817-06:00

I was contacted last week by a member who was denied payment by Medicare for 2 units of 64614 (Chemodenervation of muscle(s); extremity(s) and/or trunk muscle(s) {eg, for dystonia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis}) of the right arm and right leg on the same visit. He has received payment in the past for billing 2 units of service in this circumstance. The member believed that policy existed

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-70757412098106676962009-11-20T09:47:00.000-06:002009-11-20T09:47:28.437-06:00

The AMA Bulletin below provides a good summary of the bill and House actions that led to passage. By a vote of 243-183 today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3961, a bill that repeals the current Medicare physician payment formula, known as the sustainable growth rate (SGR), and replaces it with a new framework. Michael Burgess, MD, (R-Texas), a former AMA alternate delegate was

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-15848452750055233802009-11-19T13:47:00.004-06:002009-11-19T13:57:45.399-06:00

Medicare’s 2010 final rule confirms that physicians face steep cuts of 21.2% in 2010. Permanent repeal of the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula is an essential element of comprehensive health system reform. In October, the Senate failed to pass a bill (S. 1776) that would fix the problem, while the House is expected to vote soon on a different bill (H.R. 3961) that would also fix the

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-58134719307789971582009-11-13T14:21:00.000-06:002009-11-13T14:21:03.274-06:00

A new position AANEM statement addressing neuromuscular ultrasound was approved in October by the Board of Directors. The position statement defines neuromuscular ultrasound, specifies uses for the technique, and lists requisite qualifications necessary to perform it. The complete position statement is available here.

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-79999152802798323262009-11-12T08:55:00.004-06:002009-11-12T09:12:06.495-06:00

Call your U.S. Representative today! Next week, a floor vote is planned in the House of Representatives on H.R. 3961, the “Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009.” This legislation would permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that calls for annual cuts in Medicare physician payments, and replace it with a new, more rational payment system. In less than two months,

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-38890204179254540982009-11-11T16:29:00.000-06:002009-11-11T16:29:16.296-06:00

The AP (11/10) reports that the FDA "needs three more months to review an application to a neuropathic pain drug being developed by XenoPort Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline PLC," called gabapentin enacarbil, according to the companies. The companies said the FDA "should complete its review of the drug" by Feb. 9, 2010. The AP adds, "The FDA wanted the companies to develop a strategy to evaluate the

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-72419863374292541842009-11-10T09:26:00.002-06:002009-11-12T09:10:48.742-06:00

As the House of Representatives passed a health reform bill this weekend, the AMA House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting in Houston. Delegates have introduced a number of resolutions related to health system reform. Some are supportive of current bills and measures, while others are critical. After lengthy testimony regarding health reform in reference committee hearings on Sunday, the

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-23646286287946256062009-11-08T08:18:00.032-06:002009-11-11T09:10:04.984-06:00

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a health reform bill Saturday night by a vote of 220-215.  The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) makes many changes to the current health system. The key purpose of the bill is the expansion of health coverage to the uninsured and underinsured through subsidies financed by increasing taxes on high earners ($500,000 individual, $1,000,000 

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-53819993538161030962009-11-03T09:45:00.000-06:002009-11-03T09:45:04.480-06:00

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced its third delay in implementation of the Red Flags Rule. Implementation of the rules has been delayed until June 1, 2010. The AMA has been urging the FTC and Congress that physicians are not "creditors" and should not be subject to the rule. View the FTC's release for more information on the delay. The AANEM encourages its members to be cognizant

Megan Fogelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963413259718869337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-88910310872718936142009-10-30T06:00:00.002-05:002009-11-01T12:43:12.310-06:00

Through the efforts of AANEM's State Liaison in New Jersey, Dr. Alexander Pendino, Highmark Medicare Services has corrected the Maximum Number of Studies Table included within its local coverage determination. Highmark was notified during the comment period in February that the table it included was not accurate and should be modified. Dr. Pendino spoke with Dr. Eileen Moynihan, Medical Director

Megan Fogelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963413259718869337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-30563274729214903002009-10-28T08:17:00.002-05:002009-10-28T08:40:19.800-05:00

During discussion of how tests performed with preconfigured electrode arrays should be reported, the AANEM and others agreed it would be helpful to separately identify and define nerve conduction tests in the 2010 CPT® codebook.  A new header for "Nerve Conduction Tests" was added to complement the addition of 95905. Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) previously did not have their own introductory

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-64445654292575406502009-10-25T15:45:00.006-05:002009-10-26T13:16:31.725-05:00

One of the most frequent coding questions that comes to the office is how to correctly report CPT® codes 95900 and 95903. Code 95900 describes a "Nerve conduction, amplitude and latency/velocity study, each nerve; motor, without F-wave study. Code 95903 describes a "Nerve conduction study, amplitude and latency/velocity study, each nerve; motor, with F-wave study. So as you can see, by

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-569752176089442172009-10-24T10:38:00.004-05:002009-10-27T15:15:13.620-05:00

Wednesday's vote to limit debate and proceed to consideration of legislation (S. 1776) to repeal the SGR, erase the existing debt, and freeze physician payments at current rates for 10 years failed. This was a disappointing blow to physicians and supporters. A majority of senators from both parties agree the formula is flawed. The vote seems to have failed because (1) moderate senators who agree

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-8242225567728586362009-10-23T10:36:00.002-05:002009-10-23T13:32:06.066-05:00

The AMA has put together new, free H1N1 patient management tools. The website includes information for both patients and providers, including a unique online practice management system and self-assessment tools from AMA and CDC. Additional H1N1 resources are also available from the AMA.

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-87010692975271554632009-10-21T16:21:00.001-05:002009-10-23T10:56:12.172-05:00

Opening the 2010 CPT® codebook for the first time last week, I was pleased to see the final publication of new code 95905. This new code will be used to report nerve conduction tests performed using preconfigured electrode arrays. Use of preconfigured arrays and highly automated devices has been a controversial issue between EDX specialists and primary care physicians for years. The AANEM and a

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-36685394149129710002009-10-19T02:00:00.005-05:002009-11-16T14:40:34.728-06:00

Thank you for participating in the AANEM Blog – Action Potential. The AANEM has created this blog to share communications that come into the department regarding coding, payor coverage policies, the State Liaison Program, news headlines, and draft documents. Through the blog posts, AANEM members may post comments and dialog about a blog entry. When posting comments on the Blog, please comply with

Megan Fogelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963413259718869337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-10005712404315498862009-10-16T11:15:00.005-05:002009-10-27T15:15:32.564-05:00

Contact your senators in support of S. 1776. With the introduction in the U.S. Senate of S. 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act of 2009," earlier this week, the AMA urges all physicians to contact their senators and tell them to support this critical piece of legislation that would eliminate Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. S. 1776 will be the subject of a cloture

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-50943121873994124212009-10-12T17:00:00.041-05:002009-10-23T11:27:28.561-05:00

The AAN announced the publication of two new evidence-based guidelines on caring for patients with ALS today. The AANEM endorsed both documents in advance of their publication in the journal Neurology.  The first guideline addresses drug, nutritional, and respiratory therapies. The second guideline examines the benefits of multidisciplinary care, symptom management, and cognitive/behavioral

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-29875130626797505192009-09-30T13:09:00.011-05:002009-10-23T16:42:24.753-05:00

With both seasonal influenza and H1N1 influenza circulating this flu season, the AMA announced this week it has expedited the publication of a new code specific to vaccine administration and revised existing code 90663 to include the H1N1 vaccine. The new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code issued by the AMA will streamline the reporting and reimbursement procedure for physicians and

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-6516945916165603632009-09-25T10:32:00.001-05:002009-09-30T22:39:19.323-05:00

New regulations effective September 23, 2009 require all physicians who are covered by HIPAA to notify patients if there are breaches of security involving their medical information. The linked guidance from the AMA summarizes the new requirements. These requirements apply in addition to any notification obligations imposed by state law. These requirements also supplement the obligations

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7417572411832904392.post-25758062043323553542009-09-22T10:39:00.012-05:002009-10-27T15:14:22.985-05:00

The Los Angeles Times (9/21, Stein) "Booster Shots" blog reported, "The wasting away of muscle tissue can be a serious problem for people who are hospitalized and confined to bed due to a critical illness." But, a team at Johns Hopkins discovered, through meta-analysis, that "by putting patients through neuromuscular electrical stimulation and having them do simple exercises (some with the aid of

James Vavriceknoreply@blogger.com0