MGMA Washington Connexion 2012 Archive

MGMA Washington Connexion alerts MGMA members to regulatory and health legislation issues affecting medical group practices. This e-newsletter is sent as news breaks from Washington, D.C. Subscribe  

2012 Issues

May 16, 2012 – MGMA to CMS: Extend e-prescribing deadline; harmonize quality reporting programs

• MGMA to CMS: Extend e-prescribing deadline; harmonize quality reporting programs
• MGMA comments on proposed ICD-10 delay and HPID
• Congress directs focus on SGR reform
• Final rule reducing regulatory burdens includes enrollment and ASC changes

May 9, 2012 – MGMA comments on meaningful use Stage 2 proposal

• MGMA comments on meaningful use Stage 2 proposal
• Physicians can now submit Medicare enrollment applications 60 days before the effective date
• CMS delays “sunshine” data collection
• CMS releases proposed rule on Medicaid primary care payment increase

May 2, 2012 – Senate Finance Committee focuses on healthcare fraud

• Senate Finance Committee focuses on healthcare fraud
• CMS clarifies rural e-prescribing hardship exemption G-codes
• Member Resource Spotlight: Memo on practice obligations for LEP patients

April 25, 2012 – CMS releases final rule on Medicare ordering/referring

• CMS releases final rule on Medicare ordering/referring
• CMS releases top auditor issues
• Medicare Trustees Report confirms 30.9 percent physician payment cut; Congress must act
• CMS seeks feedback on Medicare quality and resource use reports

April 18, 2012 – MGMA asks for major changes to 60-day overpayment rule

• MGMA asks for major changes to 60-day overpayment rule
• Don’t miss the June 30 e-prescribing deadline
• New remittance advice for Medicare Primary Care Incentive Program
• MGMA to host session on preparing for RAC audits

April 11, 2012 – MGMA, others comment on RAC prepayment review demo

• MGMA, others comment on RAC prepayment review demo
• CMS announces first ACOs
• Electronic signatures now permitted for disability applicants

April 4, 2012 – MGMA to CMS: synchronize quality reporting, re-evaluate penalties

• MGMA to CMS: synchronize quality reporting, re-evaluate penalties
• MGMA seeks feedback: Meaningful Use Stage 2
• MGMA submits comments on proposed 855I changes
• Deadline extended to appeal 2011 Meaningful Use eligibility

March 29, 2012 – CMS delays POS policy in response to MGMA advocacy

• CMS delays POS policy in response to MGMA advocacy

March 28, 2012 – Supreme Court hears health reform arguments

• Supreme Court hears health reform arguments
• House approves joint IPAB repeal and liability reform bill
• CMS to host provider call on Meaningful Use Program basics

March 21, 2012 – CMS now accepting 2013 e-prescribing hardship exemption requests

• CMS now accepting 2013 e-prescribing hardship exemption requests
• House to consider IPAB repeal and medical liability reform today – take action now!
• MGMA seeks delay of new CMS policy on POS coding
• CMS EHR incentive program distributes almost $4 billion

March 15, 2012 – CMS agrees to MGMA request for additional 5010 enforcement delay

• CMS agrees to MGMA request for additional 5010 enforcement delay

March 14, 2012 – MGMA comments on Electronic Funds Transfer rule

• MGMA comments on Electronic Funds Transfer rule
• New resource to direct your Medicare enrollment questions
• CMS releases redesigned Medicare Summary Notice
• HHS releases final rule on Exchanges
• ACO advanced payment applications for 2012 due March 30

March 7, 2012 – Exclusive MGMA legal analysis: Current and proposed 60 day overpayment requirements

• Exclusive MGMA legal analysis: Current and proposed 60 day overpayment requirements
• CMS releases new Meaningful Use FAQs
• House Energy and Commerce passes legislation to repeal IPAB
• HIPAA 5010 causing claims rejections? Tell MGMA

Feb. 29, 2012 – Congress pushes for repeal of IPAB

• Congress pushes for repeal of IPAB
• CMS proposes 60-day overpayment rule; analysis available for members 
• President Obama signs Medicare physician payment extension law

Feb. 22, 2012 – Reminder: Medicare quality and EHR program deadlines approaching

• Reminder: Medicare quality and EHR program deadlines approaching
• MGMA comments on proposed physician payment "sunshine" rule
• New electronic signature feature for PECOS
• Experiencing HIPAA 5010 issues? Action steps to consider

Feb. 15, 2012 – Conferees close in on SGR deal

• Conferees close in on SGR deal
• CMS signals potential delay of ICD-10
• Share your 5010-related issues with MGMA
• RACs collect nearly $400M in overpayments in FY12; MGMA launches RAC WATCH
• New resources on avoiding e-prescribing penalties

Feb. 8, 2012 – CMS to start two demonstration projects aimed at improper payments June 1

• CMS to start two demonstration projects aimed at improper payments June 1
• Negotiations continue on SGR
• CMS announces Comparative Billing Report on Advanced Diagnostic Imaging

Feb. 1, 2012 – MGMA to HHS: 5010 causing major payment disruptions for medical practices

• MGMA to HHS: 5010 causing major payment disruptions for medical practices
• Congressional joint conference committee starts to address SGR  
• Check remittance advice for 2012 e-prescribing penalty

Jan. 25, 2012 – MGMA urges Congress to use unspent defense funds to pay for SGR repeal

• MGMA urges Congress to use unspent defense funds to pay for SGR repeal
• New, free tool helps practices meet HIPAA security requirements

Jan. 18, 2012 – MGMA launches "5010 WATCH" to identify claim submission problems

• MGMA launches "5010 WATCH" to identify claim submission problems
• MGMA hosts ACO advance payments call with CMS
• CMS releases FAQs on Medicaid RACs
• HHS releases new standards for EFT/ERA
• SGR status update

Jan. 11, 2012 – Top 10 government issues for practice executives to watch in 2012

• Top 10 government issues for practice executives to watch in 2012

Jan. 4, 2012 – Beware of RAC letters coming from MACs

• Beware of RAC letters coming from MACs
• CMS releases revised fee schedule RVU files and conversion factor
• Practices should continue HIPAA Version 5010 implementation efforts
• CMS limits new imaging multiple procedure payment reduction
• CMS delays demonstrations amid concerns from MGMA, others

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