|
PMC Recommendation - Confirm PECOS Registration, Or Register Now
PMC
recommends that all of our clients take steps necessary to
determine if they are already registered with PECOS, and if
not, to register. Confirming registration and/or registering
now is your best bet to avoid costly claim rejections in the
future.
Use this link to check if
the doctor is already registered
If you learn that you are not registered in PECOS,
sign into the PECOS website and register. Sign in using
the login from NPPES (the NPI site).
Use this site to verify all of the data. This site is also
where to update any incorrect or missing information, or to
initiate a new registration. Providers may also enroll using
paper enrollment forms; paper forms are anticipated to take
much longer.
Read more about
our recommendations
Medicare Cuts Halted, Medicare
Physician Fees Increased 2.2 Percent
Physicians and medical group managers
are aware that a 21 percent cut in Medicare fees was
scheduled to be implemented June 1. The cuts were postponed
while Congress addressed the issue; and due to delays, the
cuts were scheduled to take effect the week of June 14.
We’re pleased to announce that the scheduled cuts have been
halted, and a 2.2 percent increase will be implemented
retroactive to June 1, 2010. The following is the exact
text of today’s press release from the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS):
On June 25, 2010, President Obama signed into law the
“Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries
and Pension Relief Act of 2010.” This law establishes a 2.2
percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS)
payment rates retroactive from June 1 through November 30,
2010. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has
directed Medicare claims administration contractors to
discontinue processing claims at the negative update rates
and to temporarily hold all claims for services rendered
June 1, 2010, and later, until the new 2.2 percent update
rates are tested and loaded into the Medicare contractors’
claims processing systems. Effective testing of the new 2.2
percent update will ensure that claims are correctly paid at
the new rates. We expect to begin processing claims at the
new rates no later than July 1, 2010. Claims for services
rendered prior to June 1, 2010, will continue to be
processed and paid as usual.
Claims containing June 2010 dates of service which have been
paid at the negative update rates will be reprocessed as
soon as possible. Under current law, Medicare payments to
physicians and other providers paid under the MPFS are based
upon the lesser of the submitted charge on the claim or the
MPFS amount. Claims containing June dates of service that
were submitted with charges greater than or equal to the new
2.2 percent update rates will be automatically
reprocessed. Affected physicians/providers who submitted
claims containing June dates of service with charges less
than the 2.2 percent update amount will need to contact
their local Medicare contractor to request an adjustment.
Submitted charges on claims cannot be altered without a
request from the physician/provider.
Physicians/providers should not resubmit claims already
submitted to their Medicare contractor.
Comprehensive Health Reform Laws and Their Effects
on Medical Practices
In March 2010, President Obama signed comprehensive
health reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act, into law. The new law is full of new taxes and tax
increases that will affect many individuals and businesses,
but it will be years before most of these are implemented.
The law also has tax breaks to help both individuals and
small businesses pay for insurance.
For 2010, it provides small employers with no more than
25 employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000
that purchase health insurance for employees with a tax
credit. Tax credit is up to 35% of the employer’s
contribution toward the employee’s health insurance premium
if the employer contributes at least 50% of the total
premium cost or 50% of a benchmark premium. The full credit
will be available to employers with 10 or fewer employees
and average annual wages of less than $25,000. The credit
phases-out as firm size and average wage increases. If you
have a net loss, credits cannot be carried over to
subsequent tax years.
Read more about the effects of these changes on your
practice
 LIMITING POTENTIAL
LOSSES
What steps can you take to protect your practice from dishonest employees
or fraudulent activities?
We are frequently asked about reducing the risks of
theft or fraud. In recent months, several local medical
groups have reported employee theft or discovered employee
dishonesty. Others have experienced
unauthorized financial activities by non-employees resulting in
economic losses. In some instances, PMC’s services have led to the
discovery of employee or outsider wrong-doing.
What every doctor can do to prevent losses from theft or dishonesty.
|
