It's been a long time in the making, but the Internet-based version of the Provider Enrollment Chain Ownership System (PECOS) is finally available to providers and suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS). Starting Oct. 4, individual DMEPOS suppliers could, for the first time, sign into online PECOS using their National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) usernames and passwords. TIP: CMS has published a walkthrough of the system for DMEPOS suppliers which you access online (read more about online PECOS for DMEPOS suppliers) ...

CMS announced its prices for seasonal flu vaccines. Here are the rates for the flu shots:

• 90655, flu vaccine, no preservative, 6-35 months, $12.398
• 90656, flu vaccine, no preservative, 3 years and older, $12.375
• 90657, flu vaccine, 6-35 months, im, $6.297
• 90658, flu vaccine, $11.368
• 90660, flu vaccine, nasal, $22.316
• 90662, flu vaccine, preservative free, increased antigen, $29.213

Prices are effective between Sept. 1, 2010 and Aug. 31, 2011; except for 90658, which is effective to Dec. 31, 2010.

CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, MD, outlined the general direction he will lead the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid during a CMS conference call with physician practices on Tuesday. Dr. Berwick's attendance on the call, which was not advertised in advance, was one of his first interactions as an administrator with billers, practice managers and physicians specifically billing Medicare Part B.

He began his remarks by thanking CMS staff for hosting these forums and then commented on health care and the Medicare program. He called the Affordable Care Act "landmark" legislation to improve access, coverage and quality of care in America. The act is the most significant legislation since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, he said. Dr. Berwick then discussed the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's idea of a "Triple Aim":

1. Better care for individuals that's safer and more effective;
2. Better population health behaviors; and
3. Reduce costs, waste without harming patients.

Click here to read more on Don Berwick

Note: This article was updated on Oct. 14.

The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology (HIT) reports the Drummond Group has certified four electronic health record (EHR) products while Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) has certified 36 products. Physician practices must use a certified EHR product to meet meaningful use standards under the EHR Incentive Program.

Here is the list of certified products.

Click here for more on EHR Incentive Program

Most of your peers cut costs by freezing salaries, reducing benefits or even laying off employees in 2009, according to the results of the most recent survey by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Practice specialty played the biggest role in 2009 revenues, the survey also showed. Family practitioners saw a 2.5% revenue increase while urology and cardiology lost big time, with declines of 10.8% and 8.8% respectively (Read more on MGMA practice revenue survey by specialty) ...