HSCO Newsfeed
- Doxil C.A.R.E.S. Physician Access Program Initiates Open Enrollment
- FDA Approves Pazopanib Tablets for Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- CMS Announces One-Year Delay in ICD-10 Compliance Deadline
- New Route of Administration for Velcade
- FDA Issues Advisory About Counterfeit Avastin
- FDA Approves New Treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma
- FDA Warns of Risks of Unapproved Medications from Unlicensed Sources
- New J-Codes/ C Code in 2012
- Changes Made to Nplate PI
- Send a Message to Congress: Fight Cancer, Not Cancer Care
- New indications for Prolia (denosumab)
- CMS Releases Information on Accessing 2010 PQRI and eRx Incentive Program Feedback Reports
- FDA Approves Xalkori (crizotinib) for Patients with Locally Advanced Or Metastatic ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Information about Audits and Reviews from April Medicare CAC Meeting
At the April Medicare CAC meeting, Dr. Arthur Lurvey, Medical Director of Palmetto GBA, presented on audits and reviews.
Click here to view his presentation.
Key points from his presentation:
- Audits and Reviews continue to find problems with documentation. For example, 72% of denials for Radiology services are due to lack of documentation—including things like missing signatures.
- For E&M denials, 50% are due to technical errors, including signatures, legibility, orders, time codes, and place of service.
- Cloning of notes is a major problem with EMRs. Doctors need to update the EMR notes.
- For a visit there must be a reason. "Regular visit or regular check up or follow up" are not considered sufficient. In addition, "Reasonable and Necessary" trumps coding levels.
- Finally, documentation of decision making is helpful. Explaining the hows and whys of a plan count. The true morbidity and risk to patient also matter in decision making.
Posted 5/7/2012
Save the Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Program in Hawaii
Hawaii Legislature takes up bill to bring transplant program back home
Over the past 10 years, the Hawaii bone marrow transplant program has had success rates as good as—or better than—the national average. However, with the closing of the Hawaii Medical Center Transplant Clinic, many Hawaii residents are forced to fly to the mainland to receive transplants. Private insurance and Medicare do not cover travel or lodging expenses, making these trips additionally burdensome. The Hawaii Legislature has recently taken up HB 1952, which will appropriate funds to Hawaii Pacific Health to establish a bone marrow transplant program in Hawaii.
Please call your state legislators to tell them you support HB 1952 because it will help cancer patients across Hawaii.
Posted 2/6/2012
HSCO has a new logo!
We are happy to announce that HSCO has a new logo. We believe the vibrant colors and design wonderfully represent our state and our society. Look for this logo on your HSCO communications!
Posted 12/12/2011
How to Avoid Medicare Claim Denials
Tips from Palmetto GBA, September 2011
Presentations from HSCO's July 12, 2011 Educational Symposium
Managing Medicare for the Practicing Oncologist presented by Arthur Lurvey, MD, FACP, FACE, Medical Director, Palmetto GBA
Medicare Updates for 2011 by Jean Matsushita, Part A & B Ombudsman, Palmetto GBA
July 9, 2010 Hawaii Contractor Advisory Committee Meeting minutes
CMS-approved Audit Issues
HealthDataInsights, Inc., the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) for Region D, identified on its website CMS-approved audit issues.
The following claims will be edited automatically and monies recouped in these areas if they were billed incorrectly:
- Pegfilgastim claims not billed with the 6 mg unit of service
- Newborn pediatric CPT codes billed for patients exceeding age limit
- Once in a lifetime procedures
- Excessive units - Untimed codes
- Excessive units - Blood transfusions
- Excessive units - Bronchoscopy
- Excessive units - IV hydration
Posted 9/17/09
- HSCO News Bulletin, Spring 2009
Featuring: A message from the HSCO President and Drugs in the News
- HSCO News Bulletin, Spring 2008
- HSCO News Bulletin, Spring 2007
- HSCO News Bulletin, Winter 2007
- HSCO News Bulletin, Summer 2006
- HSCO News Bulletin, Winter 2005
- HSCO News Bulletin, Summer 2005
- HSCO News Bulletin, Summer 2004
