On most Fridays, CMS releases updates to its policy manuals in transmittals. Here's a brief look at some of the transmittals that came out on March 20. Please e-mail me at cfiegl@decisionhealth.com if you have any questions about these change requests (CRs):
- Transmittal 459 (14 pages) - Read this if you're looking for a good review of the 2009 e-prescribe and Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The purpose of this CR is to provide high-level overviews of the 2009 PQRI implementation and the new 2009 E-Prescribing Incentive Program implementation, as directed by the statute.
- Transmittal 65 (38 pages) - This corrects a previous transmittal updating Workers' Compensation Medicare Set-aside Arrangements.
- Transmittal 461 (5 pages) - This transmittal implements a provision in last summer's Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008. The law mandates payment for reasonable and necessary maintenance and servicing of oxygen equipment furnished after the 36 month rental cap. This transmittal identifies and provides payment instructions for the oxygen equipment eligible for maintenance and servicing payments after the 36 month rental cap.