|
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
|
TAOG Executive Office Karen O'Briant 141 Idlewild Creek Road Sweetwater, Texas 79556 (325) 235-1959 FAX: (325) 235-4687 TOLL FREE (866) 935-1959 TAOG 
E-mail
© Copyright 2001 Texas Association of Obstetricians & Gynecologists All Rights Reserved Photos by PhotoDisc |
| June 2008/Vol 8, Issue 6 |
You are here: Practice Issues > June 2008/Vol 8, Issue 6
Practice Management and Coding Update
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
June 2008/Vol 8, Issue 6
Welcome to ACOG's Practice Management and Coding Update. The Update provides timely information on coding, reimbursement and practice management issues. Information on a variety of coding and practice management issues is available on ACOG's web site under the Practice Management heading at http://www.acog.org/.
In this issue of the Update:
1) MC CALL CULDOPLASTY CODING
2) PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN TILL JUNE 11 ON NQF DRAFT PERINATAL QUALITY MEASURES
3) ACOG/AMA PRACTICE INFORMATION SURVEY
4) ACOG PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COURSE – NOV 14 - 16
5) UNITED HEALTHCARE PREGNANCY NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT
6) OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS – HIPAA ENFORCEMENT
7) MERCK DOSE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR HPV VACCINE
8) NPI NOW REQUIRED ON ALL STANDARD TRANSACTIONS
9) AETNA ANNOUNCES GUIDING PRINCIPLES
10) ACOG LIVE WEBCASTS:
JUNE 10, 2008: PAY FOR CALL
JULY 8, 2008: OVARIAN CANCER: INFORMATION FOR THE GENERALIST OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGIST
*******************************************************************************
1) MC CALL CULDOPLASTY CODING
A McCall culdoplasty is the suspension of the posterior fornix of the vagina and repair of the enterocele by attaching the vaginal apex to sutures placed in the plicated uterosacral ligaments and the posterior peritoneum. Click the following link for coding options:
http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=6&bulletin=4568
2) PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN TILL JUNE 11 ON NQF DRAFT PERINATAL QUALITY MEASURES
The National Quality Forum's (NQF) Steering Committee for the National Voluntary Consensus Standards for Perinatal Care is recommending 18 performance measures for NQF endorsement that can be used to assess the quality of perinatal care in the United States.
For more information and to submit public comment on the measures go to:
http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=28&bulletin=4567
3) ACOG/AMA PRACTICE INFORMATION SURVEY
Please watch for this survey which explores both the clinical and business side of medical practice. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has indicated that the results of this survey will be used to help determine physician payments. Information will be kept confidential.
For more information: http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=19&bulletin=4014
4) ACOG PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COURSE – NOV 14 – 16
ACOG’s Practice Management Update for Obstetricians and Gynecologists will be offered November 14-16, 2008 in Albuquerque, NM. Join Course Director Robert Yelverton, MD and faculty and get the latest information on issues affecting the business of side of ob-gyn practice. The course topics include: negotiations with payers, physician networking, electronic medical records, and compensation models. For more information, or to register, go to:
http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=19&bulletin=4552
For more information or questions, contact Anne Diamond by phone at 202-863-2444 or by email at adiamond@acog.org
5) UNITED HEALTHCARE PREGNANCY NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT
United Healthcare continues to require that participating network physicians notify UHC when obstetric care is initiated for UHC members. Notification enrolls the patient in UHC’s Healthy Pregnancy Program. For more information, click the link below.
UNITED HEALTHCARE BIDS FOR TRICARE CONTRACT
United Heath Group has announced a new division, United Health Military & Veterans Services. This new division will bid on providing services under the Department of Defense Tricare program. Tricare is the health program for active duty military members, Guard and Reserve, retirees, and eligible family members. The Department of Defense should announce contract awards in mid to late 2008. A transition period of 2009 and services begin mid 2010.
United Health Group Network Bulletin
6) OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS – HIPAA ENFORCEMENT
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for enforcing the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The HIPAA Privacy Rule is a set of federal standards designed to protect the privacy of patient’s medical records and other health information. OCR accepts and investigates complaints about possible breeches of privacy involving personal health information. OCR’s website includes information in the following areas: the enforcement process; case examples; and a new section with information on state specific numbers of complaint and enforcement results. To access the Office for Civil Rights- HIPAA website go to: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/enforcement/
NEW OCR HIPAA CONSUMER PRIVACY BROCHURES IN 8 LANGUAGES
Privacy and Your Health Information and Your Health Information Privacy Rights are available for download and printing from the OCR website: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
7) MERCK DOSE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR HPV VACCINE
Physicians who enroll in Merck’s Dose Replacement Program can receive a limited number of free replacement doses when they administer the vaccine to privately insured 19-26 year-old women and later learn the women's insurance plans provide no HPV vaccine coverage. The program is expected to extend through 2009 and has certain restrictions. For more information:
http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=20&bulletin=4569
8) NPI NOW REQUIRED ON ALL STANDARD TRANSACTIONS
As of May 23, only the National Provider Identifier may be reported on Medicare and private payer claims. Legacy identifiers are no longer acceptable. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services continues to monitor the transition to NPI. Please report any problems your practice is having with the NPI by fax to Anne Diamond at 202-484-7480.
For more information on NPIs, go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand/
9) AETNA ANNOUNCES GUIDING PRINCIPLES
As the Physicians’ Settlement Agreement with Aetna expires on June 2, Aetna has published their Guiding Principles for Physician Relations. The Principles put in writing Aetna’s commitment to continue the improved relations brought about by the Settlement Agreement.
To read Aetna’s Guiding Principles, go to: http://www.aetna.com/provider/medical/join_med/advantages_med/principles.html
10) ACOG LIVE WEBCASTS:
JUNE 10, 2008: PAY FOR CALL (Joint webcast for ACOG and/or MGMA members)
1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Presenter: L. Michael Fleischman
Cost: $49 Members; $59 Non-members
Registration closes at noon ET on Monday, June 9
At the conclusion of this webcast, participants will be able to:
Identify the factors affecting physicians growing reluctance to provide on-call coverage.
Examine strategies hospitals use to provide on-call coverage.
Discuss the connection between pay for call and the anti-kickback and Stark laws.
Understand the limitations associated with compensation for on-call coverage.
Identify alternatives to direct pay for on-call coverage utilizing community resources.
For more information and to register, go to:
http://www.acog.org/postgrad/pgpage.cfm?recno=466
JULY 8, 2008: OVARIAN CANCER: INFORMATION FOR THE GENERALIST OBSTETRICIAN-GYNECOLOGIST
1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Presenter: Molly Brewer, DVM, MD, MS, FACOG
Cost: $49 Members; $59 Non-members
Registration closes at noon ET on Monday, July 7
Women with ovarian cancer often see multiple physicians and undergo multiple diagnostic procedures before they have a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and are referred to a gynecologic oncologist for definitive therapy. In addition, we estimate that up to 25%, and possibly more, of ovarian cancer cases have a familial component. Recognition of what constitutes risk as well as how to appropriately refer these patients is critical to improving our early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer. At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Recognize common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
• Recognize risk factors for ovarian cancer
• Determine who should be referred and why
• Determine if a woman is high risk
• Understand why a high risk woman should be referred
• Be aware of minimally invasive surgery options for the early stage ovarian cancer
For more information and to register, go to:
http://www.acog.org/postgrad/pgpage.cfm?recno=461
Archives of previous ACOG webcasts are available at: https://www.wgitv.com/ppv/course/main.asp?AgencyID=689
Physicians, practice administrators and staff will find ACOG Webcasts of interest. Participants need a computer with speakers and Internet capability. Your registration fee covers one Internet connection from each site, but you may have an unlimited number of participants on your connection. Each Webcast is approved for AMA Category 1 type credits. See the specific webcast information for CME credit information. For questions about webcasts, please contact Anne Diamond at 202-863-2444 or adiamond@acog.org