As the threat of PECOS rejections draws near, many providers are finding themselves daunted with the task of educating their ordering physicians on the need to update their information in the PECOS database. Oftentimes, providers find that the physician has never heard of PECOS or that their request is pushed to the wayside.

• An educational article on the history of PECOS, along with important implementation updates.
• An article outlining the steps you as a provider can take to prevent claim rejections.
• 2 physician education letters written by consultant Andrea Stark to send when requesting that your physicians 1) update their information or 2) enroll in PECOS for the first time.

• Andrea Stark’s PECOS and Physician Enrollment Overview digital recording, which explains why PECOS enrollment is vital to their practice and includes:
  • PECOS enrollment requirements.
  • How updating PECOS will minimize the risk of the Part B contractors revoking all physician billing privileges as they begin several enrollment initiatives.
  • The impact of non-enrollment on a physician’s ability to order DME.
  • Detailed instructions on how to enroll and update information in PECOS.
  • How to check on their enrollment status.
  • And more!
• Attendance for up to 50 of your referral sources at any one of Andrea’s prescheduled PECOS Q&A for Physician Offices conferences (offered on most Fridays from Nov. through March.).

Recorded: November 24, 2009

CMS is expanding the claims editing process for DME MACs to include a new defense against claims containing missing, improper or fraudulent physician orders. The new edits require the verification of a referral source’s Medicare enrollment and were designed to ensure that medical equipment is ordered only by those individuals authorized to do so. However, as an unintended consequence DME providers now risk having legitimate claims rejected if their referral sources are not properly registered with the Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System (PECOS).

In today's ever-changing Medicare industry, it's vital that DMEPOS providers stay well informed. With continually changing regulations and billing requirements, education is the key to survival in our industry.

Previously, staying educated meant taking the time to wade through countless Medicare announcements, publications and press releases. But with Andrea Stark's Vista Notes, you'll be able to stay informed without taking time away from other aspects of your business!

What can Vista Notes do for you?

Vista Notes is your one-stop-publication for important DMEPOS news. Each issue consists of in-depth, yet concise articles which clearly explain how important changes in Medicare affect your business.

And with Vista Notes, you get much more than regurgitated press releases. When writing each issue, Andrea utilizes her knowledge as a DMEPOS consultant to decipher which information is truly meaningful to providers and interprets any vague or confusing Medicare regulations in each of her easy-to-understand articles.

In short, you'll plainly see if and how Medicare changes impact your DMEPOS business.

But don't just take our word for it. See what our subscribers have to say:

"We rely on our Vista Notes to help us focus on what's truly important and what actions we need to take." - Paula Levin, National Home Respiratory Services

 

"The articles are concise and clear. Topics range from Medicare policy to politics, including current legislation and proposed legislation that affects our industry." - Andy Ingram, Home Assist Medical Equipment, Inc.

 

"The Notes put the regulations in an easy to read format and are explained in a way that even a novice could understand. I have used these Notes for many years and will continue to do so. They are a major part of our billing department." - Donna Richardson, AnMed Health

Read more testimonials here!

When writing Vista Notes, Andrea Stark utilizes both national and regional publications from CMS and all four DMERCs to ensure that suppliers are covered on all fronts.  
 

Click here to see a free sample of our last issue!

Vista Notes is currently published electronically, on a bi-monthly basis. A total of six issues are released each year. By purchasing an annual subscription below, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to MiraVista's terms of service.

Upon subscribing you will immediately receive the most current issue of Vista Notes: December, 2009.

Before entering the Medicare program for the first time, re-enrolling or submitting a change of information, it’s important to make sure you’ve dotted all your 'i's and crossed all your 't’s. Submitting a clean application gives you a significant head start on your journey to enrollment in the Medicare program. This package will give you the guidance you need to ensure you have all the proper documentation and insight to licensure requirements.

This package contains everything you need to become a Medicare recognized provider of HME. Additionally, it prepares you for what an onsite inspector will look for, should an NSC or Overland Solutions representative show up at your door. (Please note: Anyone submitting a new application for enrollment after March 2008 is required to be accredited using one of the ten approved accreditation authorities prior to submitting the application.)

Andrea’s NSC Application Package includes the following:

A complete Medicare Enrollment Application

(Package includes revised CMS-855S)

Detailed instructions on how to document your existing TIN and NPI

A guide to Medicare DEMPOS supplier standards

A comprehensive documents checklist for completing the application

Tips on how to prepare for an on-site inspection

Recently updated to reflect LCD changes for 2010!

A collaboration between MiraVista and our sister company, ClaraVista, this 7-page document is a must-have for your AR and Billing departments!

Andrea’s Medicare Billing Cheat Sheets provide a breakdown of the following information for all major Medicare policies:

• Current diagnosis criteria
• CMN criteria
• Important coverage and documentation guidelines (broken down into a few critical sentences)
• Common HCPCS codes and modifiers

Be sure your billing staff are ready for all of the changes that will be taking place in 2010! In this digital recording Andrea Stark discuses important updates to DMEPOS claim submission guidelines and billing requirements, as released by CMS.

Recorded: December 15, 2009

This digital recording covers a montage of changes to DME, including:

• Important DMEPOS LCD and Policy Article Changes.
• Modifier Usage and/or Coding Changes.
• Changes to the 2010 HCPCS Fee Schedule.
• Medicare Part B Deductible and Rate Updates.
• Updates to Competitive Bidding and Grandfathering Requirements.
• Changes to Oxygen Payment and Maintenance Rates.
• Hot Audits to Watch for in 2010.
• And More!

Start the New Year off right; by ensuring you’re up to speed on the latest changes affecting your business in 2010!

Recorded: November 19, 2009

Your AR is the lifeline of your business, but if not properly maintained it will easily grow wildly

out of control. During this webinar, Andrea brings you up to speed on AR tips and techniques to help keep your accounts current and receive faster claim payments.

It’s time to take back control of your AR and gear up for a successful new year! 

• Prescreen Claims to Avoid Denials: Prevent unnecessary denials by knowing what to look for before submitting a claim.
• Benefit from Transmitting Claims Electronically: Sending claims electronically can reduce the burden on your AR department. Learn how to read electronically generated reports for instant insight on the status of your claims.
• Develop Your Own AR Strategy: Effectively work denials, prioritize your AR, and maximize your efforts through better reporting and data analysis.

After listenting to this webinar you’ll have the insight and tools necessary to streamline your claim submission process and decrease turn-around times.

Recorded: October 22, 2009

This digital recording addresses the latest Oxygen clarifications and regulations released from CMS, including:

• Maintenance Reimbursements: Andrea discusses the current regulations and payment restrictions for billing maintenance post-cap. Learn how often you can bill, what equipment you may bill for (individually or in combination) and how to correctly submit a maintenance claim.
• Billing for Contents and Labor: Get answers to your questions on billing for oxygen contents, labor and repair services post-cap. What, if anything, will Medicare pay? What codes should be used?
• Patients Traveling with Oxygen: CMS has provided clarification for providers with patients who travel short-term with oxygen. During this segment, Andrea provides a breakdown of your options when patients temporarily travel outside of your service area.

Recorded: September 15, 2009

• Red Flag Rules: Effective November 1, 2009, all providers are required to have an Identity Theft Protection Plan (ITPP) in place. Andrea discusses why this rule affects DME providers and what should be included in your plan.
• RACs: During this segment, Andrea provides a brief overview of the development of RACs and discusses the impact RAC audits will have on your business. You’ll learn how to identify when you’ve been audited by an RAC and how to respond effectively.
• PECOS Database & Signature Requirement: CMS has imposed tighter regulations on the types of physician signatures it will accept and is now tightening the belt on who orders beneficiary services. Learn how recent regulations to combat fraudulent physician orders may affect your claims. 
• Accreditation: During this segment, Andrea provides a brief overview of accreditation requirements, as well as what you should be doing to prevent being barred from the Medicare program on October 1 , 2009, if you opt will no not be accredited.
• Surety Bond: The deadline for currently enrolled DME providers to obtain a Surety Bond is just around the corner! Andrea discusses what you need to know about obtaining a federally certified surety bond, including:
  • Bond costs and time requirements
  • Why you may be required to obtain a higher bond
  • Bond documentation requirements
  • DMEPOS Bond exemptions

Recorded: August 27, 2009

The bidding window is slated to open October 21, 2009! This webinar reviews what happened with the first round of bidding in 2008 and what to expect with this new round in 2009.

Changes to 2009 Bid Requirements:  Andrea walks you step by step through the rules and regulations outlined in CMS’ final rule for the 2009 Competitive Bid. You’ll learn:

• Which products are exempt from Round 1 bidding
• Which products are included in the Round 1 bid
• What you need to know if you're planning on bidding
• What you need to know if you don't bid or don't win a contract

Recorded: July 14, 2009

After listening to this webinar, you'll understand how to use CMNs, know which situations require a CMN and know which CMNs are accepted by Medicare. Andrea provides  step-by-step details on how to properly fill out each section of a CMN, as well as clarifies confusing date and time requirements.

Updated CMN coverage criteria is discussed for the following topics:

• Oxygen (initial & revised CMNs, recertification, testing modalities, etc.)
• Lymphedema Pumps
• Seat Lift Mechanisms
• TENS
• Enteral Nutrition (formulas, pumps, feeding supply kits, etc.)

Learn when to use DIFs, WOPDs, Detailed Orders and more!

Recorded: June 09, 2009

Make sure you get paid for your services! Before supplying equipment to a patient, you need to make sure you’ll get reimbursed. During this webinar Andrea Stark discusses Medicare’s coverage criteria for general DME, such as:

• Hospital Beds
• Support Surfaces
• Manual Wheelchairs
• Commodes
• Walkers
• Diabetic Supplies

Recorded: May 20, 2009

Audits are unpleasant, time-consuming and costly. They happen to even the most successful DMEPOS suppliers and usually without warning. But they can be avoided!

Don’t let recurring audits and unsuccessful appeals steal time and money away from your business!

Listen to this informative webinar where you will learn:

• How to assess and reduce your risk of being audited: Learn how to conduct successful self audits to better monitor your business and improve compliance. Andrea will provide examples of common billing errors and scenarios that often result in audits and tips on how to avoid them.
• What to do if you are audited: Learn how to effectively respond to both written inquiries and what to do during unexpected on-site visits.
• How to successfully submit appeals: Learn how to submit successful appeals the first time around. Andrea will walk you step-by-step through the appeals process, following an audit.

Recorded: December 18, 2008

Recorded: December 04, 2008

Business owners and managers can prevent a lot of crises if they know how to tackle issues at the stages of processing. Accountability allows providers to more effectively manage the problems that surface along the way.

This teleconference focuses on Accounts Receivable strategies to help you  proactively push for cash collections toward year-end and lessen the effects of the first-of-the-year deductibles. You'll learn how to: take advantage of exporting data, analyze denials, determine denial rates, and find and work front-end rejects.

Avoid common billing errors that cause payment delays. Be sure you are properly submitting claims to Medicare and discover strategies to improve efficiency.