November Update: HCPCS and BETOS updates have been included in the HCPCS & CPT Pre-release Codebook! Check daily e-mail updates for the changes report, the download center for a much easier to use HCPCS data file than the one CMS publishes, and the bottom of the codebook for a series of very helpful index files.

The Integrated Outpatient Code Editor Summary of Data Changes document, published quarterly by CMS, is exceedingly valuable for hospital chargemaster maintenance. It is concise and lists all coding changes by their effective date. It is an essential for quarterly chargemaster updates.

The IOCE Summary of Data Changes document provides all quarterly changes related to:

APC CHANGES

The 2010 HCPCS Level II update is now available in CCH Coding Comply. The updated data files became available on CMS’ website late Monday Night. It is anticipated that this update will be released in the HCPCS and CPT electronic code book in the Coding Suite and RRS sometime next week. When complete, a link will be provided in the “Hot Topics” box on the Welcome page of the Coding Suite.

On July 1, the CMS released the proposed policy changes for services provided in hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) for 2010, under the outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). The press release is found on the Medical Release Database section within CMS: http://tinyurl.com/nmx88h.

Wolters Kluwer Law & Business is excited to announce recent enhancements to the CCH Coding Comply product that is available via the CCH Internet Research Network and the CCH and MediRegs Coding and Revenue Resource Center and Audit and Revenue Resource Center.

A smart user who has access to both the CCH Reimbursement Toolkit Hospital Outpatient PPS Calculator and the MediRegs APC Grouper & Calculator in RRS/Plus has asked:
What is the difference between these 2 calculators?
I thought I’d share the summary with MediBloggers. Note that you’ll see reference here to the exciting new Coding & Audit Suites which will be available shortly.

There are 2 APC Calculators Available. Let me summarize them for you here:

Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008

On July 15, 2008, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) (PubLNo 110-275) was enacted. As a result of this new legislation many payment systems and other Medicare programs were immediately affected. Below is a brief summary of how different providers are affected by this new legislation.