5010 Extensions, Implementation, & the 1st Friday of the Month Call

First off, let me just say that here at Genius, we recommend that you send ALL of your electronic claims in the new 5010 format as soon as possible. We believe THOMAS works well with everything in 5010 and there is no reason to delay.

We received word from BCBSM yesterday that they were going to extend the dual (4010/5010) sending environment past the March 31, extension date (following an extension given my CMS recently). They did not say how long this extension would be and it DOES NOT apply to Medicaid claims that are ONLY being accepted in the 5010 format with NO EXTENSION beyond March 31.  It is also not clear to us if they will take Medicare DMERC CEDI after April 1 (two weeks ago, our Mark T was verbally told they would not).

Please visit http://www.geniussolutions.com/5010 for near daily updates to the 5010 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).  There is now a video, along with step-by-step instructions on the page to help you as well.

You control whether you send 4010 or 5010!  You should be sending 100% 5010 claims as soon as you can, if you are not already doing so.

We recommend the following steps:

1. You read through the instructions on the Genius 5010 page
2. Backup
3. AutoUpdate
4. Set your system to 5010
5. Begin sending claims in the new format as soon as possible
6. You need to set your 5010 indicator in THOMAS to Y

Mark hosts our regular "First Friday of the Month Conference Call" every month and is a great place to check in for current information and updates.  April 6 at 10:00 am is this month's scheduled time.    This is a great chance to talk about the latest information, your concerns,  and answer some questions. Look for an email invitation sometime next week with the call-in details.

5010 - You should be doing it now!

Since 3/31/2012 was the last deadline for mandatory 5010 electronic claims, you should be doing 100% 5010 now. Genius believes everything is working well in THOMAS including commercial claims. We have heard of few problems.  The few that are having problems are payors trying to get things set up at their end to handle 5010 claims- including Health Plus (in MI), some DME, and the occasional other insurance company (& you can do an "exception" to 5010 billing for just those insurance companies that are still requiring 4010 only for now).

Pay cuts and ICD-10 Updates

The last month has seen some more sitting around by the government, whether it is for good or ill will take time to tell.  Two big issues were touched: the Medicare pay cuts and ICD-10.  To say they were addressed would be a misnomer. 

Genius Healthcare Office Solutions: The 2012 Semin

   

Focus on 5010 and much more

Join Genius Solutions and your fellow healthcare office-in-arms experts for a special 1-day seminar to discuss all of the current, hot healthcare office topics. Learn new THOMAS tips and tricks and learn about ways that you can protect your office better. Also, prepare to discuss upcoming and new items such as 5010, ICD-10, and how easy it can be to implement a compliance program in your office.

March 26 Mt. Pleasant, MI
April 26 Grand Rapids, MI
Coming Soon Florida

9am-1pm
Only $35 (per person)

More Information?
Call us at 586-751-9080
Fax questions to us at 586-751-9230
e-mail , and fill-out-and-fax-this-form, if you would like to join us for this seminar.

 *Click Here for the brochure.*

5010 & ICD-10: Are They the Good Fight?

picture fun from icanhascheezburger.com

I could just have easily written this comic for what many of you might consider "unnecessary paperwork", but alas it is all a necessary evil in today's health care landscape and the best I can do is inform and inject some humor. So let's chat for a moment.

Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011

picture fun from icanhascheezburger.com

Signed into law on December 23, 2011 (right before the holiday hiatus in Washington D.C.) the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011  extends, amongst other things, the 27.4% Medicare cut that was once again hanging over your heads.  The extension is for two months- January and February of 2012.  The President is trying to get everyone to pass a measure that would stall this again, for the rest of the year.  There are several concerns:

Reminder Part 1 Arkfeld's Live, New User, WritePad Training

Reminder... 
If you want to be up and running with WritePad, you need to Register now!

 
You can register for either January 26 or March 15 but you need to Register now!  

5010: Working Hard to Serve You

5010 is here!  

You may have noticed as you’ve called in over the past month that our phone lines have been really busy.  Where you were able to get straight through to support in the fall, now you are finding yourself back up at the front desk to leave a message.  As much as you are concerned about 5010, ICD-10, Medicare payments, stimulus payments etc., we are concerned about each and every one of the thousands of you.  We appreciate your patience as we all (customers, vendors, clearinghouses and payors) work to migrate claims over to the 5010 format.  We are furiously returning calls as quickly as possible.  We are working very closely with BCBSM here in Michigan and with many other clearing houses around the country to work through the many items that come up daily as everyone makes the 5010 switch.

Dr. Arkfeld's Live WritePad Training- Part 1 for New Users

Be up and running with WritePad now!

 
Please Mark Your Calendar for either January 26 or March 15 and Register now.  (Our past WritePad classes have filled up fast we suggest you register early.)

Make sure you have the tools you need in time to prepare to qualify for the 2012 stimulus money.

There are many new WritePad users so Dr. Arkfeld has scheduled new WritePad Training Part 1 classes, to accommodate you.  This class is free for those who have purchased their WritePad systems and Dr. Arkfeld's training since November 1, 2011, and who are just starting or have not yet completed their WritePad training.

Happy New Year!

Remember- Genius will be closed Jan 2-3.  Have a Happy Holiday!

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.

December e-News Flash from Genius

In case you missed the December e-mail that was sent out last week from us, here it is.

If you did not receive it, but we have your current e-mail on file, check your "junk mail" and un-junk us.  If it's not in your mail box or your junk mail box, then we may not any e-mail address for you (or at least not an active or current one).  Next time you're on the phone with us, update your e-mail or you can send in your e-mail with your office id or phone #  to newsletter2010@geniussolutions.com and we'll make sure to update your information.

In the mean time - have a great holiday season!