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July 9th, 2010
Our Primary and Secondary web servers have been updated with the latest files for 2010 Q3. This includes the CMS files that include the 2.2 percent payment increase for Medicare Part B services. All destop product is being shipped and a link to the desktop download is listed below this posting and on the downloads page.
July 7th, 2010
CMS has posted updated files that include the 2.2 percent payment increase for Medicare Part B services. The desktop version of Flash Code for 2010 Q3, including these changes, is now available for download.
June 25th, 2010
Last evening, June 24th, the House passed legislation that replaces the 21.2 percent reduction in Medicare payments to physicians with a 2.2 percent increase through November 30th, 2010.
The bill applies retroactively to all services provided beginning June 1st, 2010.
CMS has not issued a release date for the data files that contain the calculations derived from this new legislation. However, once released, our goal will be to incorporate them into Flash Code within 24 hours.
June 21st, 2010
On Friday, June 18, the Senate passed legislation to prevent the 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians.
However, the House had already ended its session and will not return for work until Tuesday, June 22nd, when they will address this issue and respond to the Senate legislation.
Without a bill approved by both the House and Senate, CMS (on Friday) instructed its carriers to begin processing claims at the 21 percent reduction rate. However, in view of a possible legislative fix to the reductions, they are once again holding claims processing until action has been finalized by both the House and Senate.
May 28th, 2010
As of Friday, May 28th, Congress has not passed legislation to prevent the 21 percent cut in RBRVS payments slated to take effect on June 1st. The proposed legislation would increase payments by 2.2 percent for the remainder of 2010 and increase payments by 1% for 2011.
CMS has once again instructed its contracters to hold claims for the first 10 business days of June pending further action on proposed legislation.
May 6th, 2010
Congress has voted to extend the zero percent physician payment update through May 31st, 2010. Additional legislation, which will extend this action or correct the formula is pending.
Congress adjourned last Friday for its spring recess without acting on either of two bills that would have added another temporary extension to the zero percent physician payment update, which expires today. As a result, on Thursday, April 1, the 21.2 percent cut will go into effect.
We've been informed that CMS has instructed its contractors to hold claims containing services paid under the MPFS for the first 10 business days of April (through the 14th). This will only affect claims with dates of service April 1, 2010, and forward. Congress will attempt to address the cut, likely another temporary extension, when they return to Washington, DC on April 12th.
We recommend you submit claims as usual with the current fee tables that are found in Flash Code. If Congress allows the 21.2% cut to continue we will post changes to the web product and send detailed instructions for making the appropriate change in the desktop program.
March 19th, 2010
The 2010 Q2 desktop version of Flash Code is ready for download. It contains the CPT / HCPCS code changes and NCCI edit changes that take effect on April 1st. NCD and LCD policies (medical necessity codes) have been updated to March. Note also that Congress has passed legislation that keeps the RBRVS fee structure intact until October 1st. 2010.
January 13th, 2010
The Online version of Flash Code was updated last evening. This includes the data updates to the Medicare Physician Fee schedule as specified in the January 12th posting listed immediately below.
January 12th, 2010
New Desktop Download files are available. These include the third revision to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (RVU10AR4) which reverses the 20% pay cut and changes some RVU values. We've added a second FTP site to assist with transfer speed. DSL speeds will result in an expected download time of apx 40 minutes.
January 11th, 2010
Today, CMS has released yet another new RBRVS table, which we are working to incorporate into Flash Code. We plan to update the server tomorrow evening (which was updated yesterday with - what was - the latest RBRVS data) and post Desktop installers tomorrow afternoon. (January 12th):
Keep in mind that CMS will begin accepting claims on Monday January 18th.
January 7th, 2010
CMS has released a new RBRVS table, which we are working to incorporate into Flash Code. This is our plan for updating Flash Code:
Online server - before Monday January 11th
Desktop Installer - to be posted on Monday January 11th
CMS will begin accepting claims on Monday January 18th.
December 30th, 2009
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From the desk of Karlen Bailie M.D. President, MCCS.
The 2010 Q1 desktop product is available as of today with CPT and HCPCS code additions, deletions, and errata that take effect January 4th, 2010.
Data updates include:
-The EMERGENCY UPDATE to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that includes an adjustment to the proposed 20% reduction in the Conversion Factor used for RBRVS calculations. The proposed CF was 28.395 and has been revised to 36.0846. Also included are last minute changes to RVU and Status values for several dozen CPT and HCPCS codes.
-The re-issued NCCI (unbundling) edits effective for 2010 Q1 (January 1st through March 31st)
-Local and National Coverage Determinations (Medical Necessity edits) to December, 2009.
Please also note that PMIC, the largest independent producer of coding book titles - and our parent company - has generously agreed to extend their $225 book bundle value, FREE with each purchase of Flash Code Provider:
FREE - one set of 2010 ICD-9-CM, CPT PLUS!, and HCPCS Coder's Choice books. Details...
Happy New Year!,
Karlen Bailie MD, President
P.S. Our FREE ICD-9-CM site has also been updated with the newest codes as of October 1st...Use this site to quickly find any of the ICD volume one or three codes, plus all of the MS-DRG codes too. It's available 24/7 at www.icd9coding.com where last month we displayed over 4 million diagnosis and treatment page views in response to your searches.
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