New Medicare Insurance Numbers - 2018

I am sure you have heard about the upcoming change to Medicare Patient Insurance numbers. (If not, starting in April all of your Medicare patients will begin receiving new Medicare insurance cards with new Medicare numbers - they are finally retiring the social security number from the cards.)

Make sure you update your eTHOMAS to the most current version, then you will be prepared to go through and set up your THOMAS system - insurance and patient policies to take in and begin using the new Medicare cards.

Here is the "HOW TO" document to walk you through the process in your THOMAS system. 

New Medicare Insurance Numbers 2018

CMS is Being Loud and Proud Right Now

CMS is Loud about a meaningful use attestation date extension:

If you are an eligible professional, you now have until 11:59 pm ET on March 20, 2015, to attest to meaningful use for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program for 2014.

This extension also allows those eligible professionals, who want to use their one "switch", to switch programs (from Medicare to Medicaid, or vice versa) for the 2014 until the end of March 20, 2015 also. After that time, eligible professionals will no longer be able to switch programs.

Remember Medicare eligible professionals must attest to meaningful use every year to both receive an incentive and to avoid a Medicare payment adjustment.

Also note, if necessary, that this Medicare extension doesn’t affect either the Medicaid EHR incentive or the PQRS date which has been extended to March 20, 2015.

And they are Proud about ICD-10 preparation:

Per CMS, they are ready for ICD-10 and prepared thinking they will be ready for ICD-10 on October 1. They claim they’ve had approximately 660 providers and billing companies who’ve submitted about 15,000 test claims.

“This successful week of testing continues to put us on course for successful implementation of this important initiative that better reflects modern practice of medicine by Oct. 1, 2015.”

Here is the link back to the CMS Attestation website.

Don't Forget the Attestation Deadline - Feb 28th, 2015

If you are participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program as an eligible professional, you have until February 28, 2015 to attest and demonstrate meaningful use of the data you collected during your 2014 EHR reporting period. If you participate in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, you need to refer to your state's attestation deadline.

If you were a Medicare eligible professional and you didn't successfully demonstrate meaningful use in 2013 (or 2014 for first-time participants), without a hardship exception for 2015, then on Jan. 1st, 2015 adjustments (reductions) were made to your Medicare payments.  If you do not successfully demonstrate meaningful use in 2014 (or receive a 2016 hardship exception) you will have payment adjustments applied beginning January 1, 2016 as well (yes, they will be cumulative if you miss both years).

For complete attestation information visit CMS's EHR Incentive Programs page.

CMS Re-Opens 2015 Hardship Exceptions Through November 2014

Per the ONC:

CMS announced that it is going to reopen the submission period for hardship exception applications for eligible professionals and eligible hospitals, allowing them to possibly avoid the 2015 Medicare payment adjustments for not demonstrating (via attestation) EHR meaningful use with Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT).

The new deadline will be November 30, 2014. (The previous application deadline was April 1, 2014 for eligible hospitals and July 1, 2014 for eligible professionals.)

This is especially noteworthy for anyone who missed attesting for stage 1 year 1 attestation last week.
For more information about the payment adjustments or hardship guidelines, visit the CMS page HERE.

Here is the application form.

CMS Issues Final Rule for 2014 EHR Incentive Program Participation

CMS just released a final rule regarding provider EHR incentive program participation for the 2014 program year.

It has been a long haul for those trying to implement and use an EHR program to complete the government’s incentive program.  Especially this year, as the transition from stage 1 to stage 2 meaningful use is supposed to be occurring.  Nothing is ever easy. Even for those providers who started their EHR journeys a couple of years ago, there was change that needed to occur.  Most had hoped that the EHRs they’d invested in would progress and roll with the government changes.  Many found out that this was not going to happen without additional work, frustration, pain, and money from them, so many have dropped out. 

Shared Genius August 2014 Edition

Shared Genius Practice Solutions From one genius to another.
August 2014 support special includes:
THOMAS date tricks, billed claims, and more!

Available now!

Finally! CMS Announces New ICD-10 "GO" Date

FINALLY!  CMS announces ICD-10 "GO" date IS now October 1st, 2015!

Interesting, the article doesn't note anything about a comment period, it simply says, this is the date.  I guess nothing but bumping the date ahead, might not need an additional comment period as it had been done before.

So, what are you doing now to prepare?

President Signs HR 4302 Into Law

On Tuesday April 1, 2014 the President signed HR 4302 into law. The bill's purpose was to delay the 24% decrease in Medicare payments until the SGR can be permanently fixed.

Also tucked into the bill was a delay in the implementation of ICD-10 ("Until no sooner than October 1, 2015").  eTHOMAS can and is ready for ICD-10 whenever it is needed.

eTHOMAS has the built-in flexibility to bill out in ICD-10 codes or to continue bill out with ICD-9 codes. We encourage you to continue your preparations and use the delay to become fully functional with the new ICD-10 code set and get your EHRs up and ready to attest by September (if you have never previously attested).

This bill passage DOES NOT affect the use of the the new CMS-1500 form, the 1% Medicare reduction if you don't attest for meaningful use this year by September 1st, or other items in connection with the ARRA stimulus program.

Senate Passes House Bill 4302

The US Senate passed House Bill 4302 ( a bill) on March 31, 2014.   This is the bill we just told you about and it's primary purpose is to extend (another temporary measure) the 24% Medicare SGR (Sustainable Growth Rate) increase given until they can resolve the SGR in a better way.  Of course this extension would mean that the SGR would again- NOT be fixed.

Somehow, someone was able to also tuck a clause into this bill, that if it passes, it will delay the planned ICD-10 implementation until Oct. 1, 2015. This bill will now proceed to the President for final approval or veto before becoming law.

Unfortunately this quick fix, from not fixing the SGR (WHICH STILL NEEDS TO BE FIXED)- while seemingly getting you your money - will in fact cost millions and then some.  Plus more millions for delaying ICD-10 implementation for another year (CMS had previously estimated another delay may potentially have a price tag of $6.6 billion impact).

I could find nothing that said that there would be any delay on the 1% Medicare take-backs scheduled to being for not meaningfully using an EHR (attesting by this year at latest - within the first 9 mo, for 90 days).  Or that there would be any delays regarding Stage 2 Meaningful Use.  Which makes sense as both of these are tied to the 2009 ARRA "stimulus" act, not the SGR (but considering they managed to throw an ICD-10 delay in there, it was worth a look).

Here is a link to the bill.
Here is a link to another good article discussing what this delay means to you, from EHR Intelligence.
Here is a link to a great Fierce Healthcare article & it has links at the bottom for the AMA, AHIMA, HIMSS.

CMS holding claims April 1st

CMS has instructed all contractors to “hold” claims that have a service date of April 1, 2014 for ten days.  This would allow congress time to vote on stopping the 24% decrease that is scheduled take effect April 1, 2014.  So you may see that your Medicare checks are not coming through as expected in April.

Attention: Attestation, ICD-10, and SGR Updates!

 

Ever Attested?

If this is your first year to attest for Meaningful Use – You need to be working it now!  Literally.

Payment Adjustments for NOT being a Meaningful User kick in January 1, 2015.
As part of the 2009 ARRA “Stimulus” program, if you DO NOT attest for meaningful use, by this year, your Medicare payments will be reduced by 1% for each year you are not a meaningful user.  [Up to 5% loss, “depending on the total number of eligible meaningful user providers after 2018”, assuming less than 75% meaningful users the reductions are set to cap off at 5%.]
 

dTHOMAS/THOMAS Lite Users!

	dTHOMAS v9.06 New CMS-1500 Form The time is now!
Version 9.06 of dTHOMAS We are pleased to announce the release of Version 9.06 of dTHOMAS! This version includes the ability to prepare and print the new CMS-1500 (02-12) claim form for the April 2014 deadline.

Genius ICD-10 Seminars- On the Road

Ok, so my hair isn't this short, but we do put this much work into our presentations! :D

We started off last Friday to a packed house of Medical Specialties.  April is already half-full and we are still trying to look and schedule additional seminars as quickly as possible.  So far, here is the current Schedule:

• March 14 was Medical Specialties, in Warren - FULL!
• March 21 is for Podiatrists, in Warren - Still some spaces left.
• March 27 is for Chiropractors, in Warren - FULL!

• April 4 is for everyone, at Soaring Eagle in Mt. Pleasant (We've already exceeded, doubled the size of this one, and exceeded it again) - Super FULL!
• April 16 is for everyone, Troy-  FULL!
• April 23 is for everyone,  Warren - Still have space.
• April 29 is for everyone,  Grand Rapids - Still have space.

We are currently looking at Pensacola, FL in May (still trying to secure a location).
And we are looking for additional areas in Michigan (if you have an awesome suggestion, please feel free to add it in the comments).

For those who aren't in Michigan or Florida, we are also looking at doing some sort of epic online conference for you.... We're still investigating the best way to do this.

As soon as we add more dates and locations, we will definitely post them on the website (under EVENTS), on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Although we do have lots to share, we are looking at what more we can add to help you prepare for ICD-10, HIPAA compliance, and more - I will also let you know if the agenda or guests change as we work towards October and the end of the year.

As always - we are looking forward to visiting with you soon!  :D

Got IDC-10 Videos? We do!

We now have a YouTube ™ Channel!  

Currently, the videos pertain to ICD-10 and the New CMS-1500 (02-12) claim form which is in version 9.4 of eTHOMAS.  Version 9.4 is scheduled to be released in early February 2014.  Check the channel often as videos will be regularly updated.

Our videos can be found on our YouTube ™ Channel at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/user/geniussolutionsinc/videos?view=1&flow=grid.  This link will take you directly to the videos playlist on our channel.   The different playlists represent various topics relating to our products, industry related changes, and most important to you right now- ICD-10 and the new CMS-1500 (02-12) claim form.

You can also access our videos and in the playlist order if you go to our YouTube ™ Channel link, which is www.youtube.com/geniussolutionsinc  From the main page of our channel, you can click on "Videos".  Use the drop-down menu labeled “Uploads” and select “Playlists” to view the videos in their playlist order by topic.

The New CMS-1500 Form & dT/dTLite: IMPORTANT!

A fax letter went out over the last week to all of our dTHOMAS and dTHOMAS Lite clients:

Here it is. In case you missed it or it didn't come through cleanly.

Dear dTHOMAS and dTHOMAS Lite clients:

An update will be released for dTHOMAS allowing for the use of the new CMS 1500 form before the April 1, 2014 deadline. This does not include the ability to send claims in the ICD‐10 format. dTHOMAS users are encouraged to switch to eTHOMAS prior to the ICD‐10 deadline which is slated for October 1, 2014.

When this update is released, Genius Solutions will send emails out to its clients with instructions on how to use it. Please verify that Genius Solutions has a valid email address for your office:

• Have you received an email from us in the last few months? If not, please email support23@geniussolutions.com with an email address that you would like us to have on file.  (Include your office name and account number please.)

• Also, verify that email from Genius Solutions is not being filtered into your “junk” or “spam” folders.

Sincerely,
Genius Solutions, Inc.

New CMS-1500 Forms

On January 6, 2014 providers may start to use the new CMS-1500 forms.  From January 6, 2014 to March 31, 2014 a period of Dual Use will begin.  On April 1, 2014 only the revised CMS-1500 will be accepted.  Genius Solutions’ expects that the new forms will be available in early 2014.  Both dTHOMAS and eTHOMAS will be able to bill the new claim form.

Do you send Medicare Part B to MN, WI, or IL?

Attention electronic and paper submitters for MN, WI, and IL:

Do you currently send Medicare Part B paper and/or electronic claims for the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Illinois? Changes to the claims address and payer ID will need to be made effective September 7, 2013.  All claim files or claim status inquiry files submitted after 4:00 p.m. CT on September 6, 2013 with the any of the WPS legacy payer IDs listed above will be rejected with the X12 999 transaction with the IK403 value of I12 (Implementation Pattern Match Failure). These files will need to be corrected and resubmitted to National Government services with the correct J6 payer ID. The final WPS legacy ERAs will have a paid late of September 6, 2013 and will be available on Monday, September 9, 2013. All subsequent ERAs will show the J6 payer ID as the Medicare payer identifier.

If you did not receive the letter we mailed out to you - and you need help making these changes in your system, please call support at 586.751.9080

Got Compliance? What’s in your Office Manual?

As we are quickly approaching the end of the year and you are considering beginning or updating your office compliance manuals… These are some important items to be aware of, especially if you haven’t heard of them or were unsure what they really were.  These three items desperately need to be included in your office practices, policies, and compliance plan, or they could be devastating to both you and your office:  The Sunshine Act, The Medicare Enrollment Revalidation Initiative, and ACA Overpayments.  Also be advised, as each of the legal pages I read stated: the following are guidelines and best understanding.  For any actual legal advice particular to office and procedures, you should seek final guidance from your own legal guides.

 

Meaningful Use Stage 2 – Yes, it is here, for better or worse

Meaningful Use Stage 2 (also known as 2014 Edition Standards & Certification Criteria (S&CC)Final Rule) is in the bag so to speak.  The next stage has been officially finalized and will be hitting your computer (and your EHR programs) over the next couple of years.  First off the new name (2014 edition) clues you into the first change- Stage 2 is going into effect one year later than previously decided per the original ARRA documentation.

5010 Updates for BSBSM MI & All Others

Don't forget to visit our Genius 5010 web page for all of the updates and most current information for your clearing house and state.  New information is being added, updated, and amended daily.

Genius had a conversation with BSBSM of Michigan and received these updates just this week.  Check them out to make sure that you will be able to smoothly transition your billing over the rest of this month and into the new year.