CMS Monday Morning Rounds 4-11-16

cms-PtV-200The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is reporting these events, updates and deadlines for providers and hospitals on payment issues concerning Medicare and Medicaid. Read the latest MLN Connects Weekly Provider eNews.

Updated Measure Specifications Available on the eCQM library and eCQI Resource Center Websites
2016 annual update for electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) for eligible hospitals and eligible professionals. Providers will use these updated measures to electronically report 2017 quality data for CMS quality reporting programs. The updated measure specifications are available on the CMS website eCQM Library and the Electronic Clinical Quality Improvement (eCQI) Resource Center.

Find Information on the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing Program will begin in FY 2019. Visit the updated SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program webpage for information on, laws and regulations, Technical Measure Specifications, Quarterly Reporting Feedback Cycle, upcoming calls and events, and resources for SNFs.

Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO Application Process Call
Tuesday, April 19 from 1:30 to 3 pm ET
Register Now, space may be limited.

During this call, CMS subject matter experts cover helpful tips to complete a successful application for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (Shared Savings Program). A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

2016 PQRS Reporting: Avoiding 2018 Negative Payment Adjustments Call — Registration Now Open
Thursday, April 21 from 3 to 4:30 pm ET
Register Now, space is limited.

This call gives an overview of the 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and related resources. The presentation will cover guidance and instructions on how individual eligible professionals and PQRS group practices can get started, satisfactorily report/participate, and avoid the 2018 PQRS negative payment adjustment. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule Fact Sheet — Revised
A revised Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule Fact Sheet is now available. Topics include, coverage of clinical laboratory services, how payment rates are set, and updates to the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions about Billing the Physician Fee Schedule for Advance Care Planning Services
This recently released document answers frequently asked questions about billing advance care planning (ACP) services to the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) under CPT codes 99497 and 99498 which began January 1, 2016.

Modifications to HCPCS Code Set
The scheduled release of modifications to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code set are available on the HCPCS Quarterly Update web page. Changes are effective on the dates indicated on the update.