November Practice Update (part two)
ASH Provides Summary and Analysis of 2009 Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule
On November 19, Medicare published the 2009 Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule in the Federal Register. ASH has prepared a summary and analysis of the new Fee Schedule.
ASH Provides Summary and Analysis of 2009 Final Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Regulations
On October 30, Medicare released the calendar year 2009 Medicare Hospital Outpatient prospective payment system (HOPPS) final rule. It includes a 3.6 percent inflation update in base payments for hospital outpatient services and expands the current inpatient and outpatient quality reporting programs. ASH has prepared a summary and analysis of the final rule.
ASH Successful in Influencing Local ESA Policy in J4 Region
October 31, 2008 - Trailblazer Health Enterprises, LLC, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) in the Jurisdiction 4 region (J4) released a notice of the finalized Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs). The new LCD reflects all recommendations Ash had made. Read More.
Medicare Includes Serious Hematologic Diseases in Definition of Chronic Conditions for Special Needs Plans
November 13, 2008 – Medicare identified 15 chronic conditions that Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) must use to determine beneficiary populations that are eligible for enrollment. Read More.
Medicare Establishes a New Hemophilia Clotting Factor and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Code
CMS has established a new HCPCS code for hemophilia clotting factor for inpatient services provided to Medicare beneficiaries on claims submitted to Medicare Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs) and/or Part A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (A/B MACs). Read More.
Obama to Nominate Daschle for HHS Secretary
Democratic officials have revealed that President-elect Barack Obama has offered the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services to former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota. Read More.
ASH Practice Forum: The Patient, the Hematologist, and the Unexpected
Saturday, December 6, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Marriot, Yerba Buena, Salons 4-6
Be sure to attend the ASH Practice Forum at the Annual Meeting in San Francisco. This year's forum will focus on two areas of unexpected results encountered commonly in hematology practice and how the hematologist should respond. It will also include a legislative update of practice-related policies and what to expect from the new Congress and president. Speakers include:
- Philip R. Greipp, MD, Mayo Clinic
- Incidental Findings and Monoclonal Proteins
- Malik Juweid, MD, University of Iowa
- One PET Too Many
- Mila Becker, ASH Director of Government Relations and Practice, and Ellen Riker, MARC Associates
- 2009 Practice Policy Companion
Be sure to join your fellow practitioners at the networking reception that follows the event.