Riverbend

ListServ Message 08/15/2008

August 12, 2008

The following Listserv information is being distributed through Riverbend GBA. Please review to the end of this document for information that may affect your facility.

Riverbend has gone paperless!
As of May 1, 2008 all incoming correspondence received by Riverbend is being imaged into electronic format. To help ensure your information is being routed to the appropriate area as quickly as possible, we encourage you to use our RGBA Document Routing Form. Please complete this form and allow it to serve as a cover to the correspondence you are sending to us. This form will assist you in providing us with all of the information necessary to handle your correspondence in the most expeditious manner. This form can be located at http://www.rgbagov.com/About-Us/

Information from The CMS.
Note: Click the hyperlink to view the full story.
CMS Evidentiary Priorities
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:47:27 -0500
Date: 08/08/2008
Subject: CMS Evidentiary Priorities
Content: N/A

The following instructions have been posted to the CMS Website:
New / Revised Material
Effective Date: April 28, 2008
Implementation Date: August 25, 2008
Disclaimer for manual changes only: The revision date and transmittal number apply only to red italicized material. Any other material was previously published and remains unchanged. However, if this revision contains a table of contents, you will receive the new/revised information only, and not the entire table of contents.

NOTE: Transmittal 89, dated July 25, 2008, is rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 92, dated August 8, 2008. The Implementation Date on the Business Requirements was erroneously stated as August 25, 2005. The correct Implementation Date is August 25, 2008. All other material remains the same.

SUBJECT: Screening DNA Stool Test for Colorectal Cancer
I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Following reconsideration of the current national coverage determination (NCD) for colorectal cancer screening, CMS proposes not to expand the colorectal cancer screening benefit to include coverage of PreGen-Plus, a commercially available screening DNA stool test. The FDA determines that this test requires premarket review and approval. A subsequent request for reconsideration will be considered once FDA approval is obtained.

This revision of Pub.100-03, section 210.3 is a national coverage determination (NCD). NCDs are binding on all carriers, fiscal intermediaries, quality improvement organizations, qualified independent contractors, the Medicare Appeals Council, and administrative law judges (ALJs) (see 42 CFR section 405.1060(a)(4) (2005)). An NCD that expands coverage is also binding on a Medicare Advantage Organization. In addition, an ALJ may not review an NCD. (See section 1869(f)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act.) http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R92NCD.pdf

CMS Seeks Cosponsors for Educational Conference on E-prescribing Incentive Payment Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a conference to educate physicians and other stakeholders about a newly enacted federal program of incentive payments to encourage the use of electronic prescribing. CMS is requesting interested public and private sector organizations to join the agency as cosponsors of the conference, which will be held Oct. 6–7, 2008, in Boston.

“The new incentive program will help spread adoption of e-prescribing throughout the health care community,” said CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems. “E-prescribing has many benefits for patients, providers, health plans, and pharmacies. Not only is e-prescribing more efficient than paper prescriptions, it is also safer. E-prescribing can help reduce the number of adverse drug events, which for Medicare beneficiaries alone is estimated at 530,000 a year.”

The many benefits of e-prescribing include:
Physicians have electronic access to each patient’s prescription history, helping them avoid prescribing drugs that may result in harmful drug interactions;

E-prescribing eliminates the possibility of medication errors caused by illegible prescribing clinician handwriting;E-prescribing reduces confusion and miscommunication, resulting in fewer phone calls and faxes between the physician’s office and the pharmacy; and With access to a patient’s insurance and formulary information at the point of care, physicians can prescribe a drug that is both covered and affordable, resulting in fewertrips to the pharmacy.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) established a five-year program of incentive payments to eligible professionals who are successful electronic prescribers. Successful prescribers are those who either report applicable electronic prescribing measures established under the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) or who electronically submit prescriptions under Medicare Part D at a level determined by CMS. The incentive payment program begins on January 1, 2009. The conference will serve to educate affected constituencies on the MIPPA program and CMS’ plans for implementation.

The notice invites interested parties to submit proposals detailing how they could support CMS, in a non-fiduciary relationship, by developing conference content, identifying speakers, and implementing outreach activities to educate affected provider, business, and consumer stakeholders about this new program. Interested organizations may include:

Physician and provider organizations (including those representing primary care, specialty care, surgical, and medicine-based specialties);

Organizations representing health care professionals;Organizations representing pharmacy industry stakeholders, including retail and community pharmacies;
Organizations representing state and local officials; and
Organizations representing a broad range of beneficiary interests.

The educational conference will:
Equip health care professionals and other stakeholders with the knowledge and the tools to integrate e-prescribing into their business model;Educate health care professionals about the structure and implementation of the incentive payment structure with respect to e-prescribing and PQRI;Generate discussion about the use of e-prescribing and other e-health initiatives to increase patient compliance and overall health outcomes;Identify and promote opportunities to overcome barriers to adoption of this new technology; and Address constituent concerns about privacy, security, and risk management with respect to implementation of the e-prescribing incentive payment program.

Selection criteria outlined in the notice include an applicant’s:
Identity as a non-profit, financially disinterested entity that representsconstituenciesaffected by e-prescribing; Demonstrated interest in e-prescribing technology and implementation and knowledge of current e-prescribing standards for Medicare Part D;Presentation of activities and connections that likely will further the public health benefits of e-prescribing; andWillingness to work llaboratively with other public and private sector organizations to achieve the goals of e-prescribing and other e-health initiatives.

CMS will invite selected organizations that meet the evaluation criteria to enter into formal,
fiduciary cosponsor agreements to consult on the conference program content, speaker selection, and outreach strategies, in addition to other tasks as described in individual cosponsor greements.

Potential cosponsors must understand that cosponsor agreements will clearly indicate that there will be no federal endorsement of the cosponsor or endorsement of any policies, activities, products, or services resulting from cosponsorship of the conference.

The notice may be viewed at (http://federalregister.gov/page2.aspx). Proposals to cosponsor the educational conference must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 15, 2008.


The following Medi-Letters were posted to the RGBA Website from 08/01/08 – 08/08/08

MediNumber: 3237-08
MMNumber: MM6107
Date: 2008-08-01
Provider Audience: All Providers
Title: Medicare Contractor Annual Update of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
This article is based on Change Request (CR) 6107 and reminds the Medicare contractors and providers that the annual ICD-9-CM update will be effective for dates of service on and after October 1, 2008 (for institutional providers, effective for discharges on or after October 1, 2008). You can see the new, revised, and discontinued ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/07_summarytables.asp#TopOfPage, or at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) website at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd9.htm in June of each year.
MLN Matters Article
RGBA Medi Letter

· New from the Medicare Learning Network
· Pricer Updates
· Medicare Pilot Program Will Offer Beneficiaries Choices for Maintaining Their Own Personal Health Records
· Release of Out-of-Pocket Limits for Medigap Plans K & L for Calendar Year 2009

New from the Medicare Learning Network

• The April 2008 version of the Rural Health Clinic Fact Sheet, which provides information about Rural Health Clinic (RHC) services, Medicare certification as a RHC, RHC visits, RHC payments, cost reports, and annual reconciliation, is now available in print format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mlngeninfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”
• An updated version of The Physician’s Guide to Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Services booklet is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network. This booklet explains how Medicare helps pay for kidney dialysis and kidney transplant services in the Original Medicare Plan, also known as “fee-for-service.” To download your copy, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/, scroll down to “MLN Publications” and search for the booklet title.
• Just a reminder that the following fact sheets are now available in print format from the Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mlngeninfo/ , scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”

§ Federally Qualified Health Center Fact Sheet (revised April 2008) which provides information about Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation; covered FQHC services; FQHC preventive primary services that are not covered; FQHC payments; and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.

§ Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital Fact Sheet (revised April 2008) which provides information about methods to qualify for the Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) adjustment; Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and Deficit Reduction Act of 2005; number of beds in hospital determination; and Medicare DSH payment adjustment formulas.

§ Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System Fact Sheet (revised May 2008) which provides general information about the Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS), howpayment rates are set, and the Rate Year 2009 update to the IPF PPS.

Pricer Updates

· The provider data distributed with the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) PPS PC Pricer has been updated as of July 2008. The FY2007 and FY2008 IRF PC Pricers on this page, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/06_IRF.asp, under “Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility PPS PC Pricer” have been updated with the latest provider data. If you use the IRF PC Pricer, please go to the page above and download the latest version of the IRF PC Pricers posted 08/04/2008.

· The provider data distributed with the HH PPS PC Pricer has been updated as of July 2008 on the page, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/05_HH.asp. If you use the HH PPS PC Pricer, please go to the page above and download the latest version of the PC Pricer.

MEDICARE PILOT PROGRAM WILL OFFER BENEFICIARIES CHOICES FOR MAINTAINING THEIR OWN PERSONAL HEALTH RECORDS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a pilot program to test options for beneficiaries with Original Medicare to maintain their health records electronically. Under this pilot in Arizona and Utah, a beneficiary may choose one of the selected commercial personal health record (PHR) tools, and Medicare will transfer up to two years of the individual’s claims data into the individual’s PHR.

Beneficiaries who select one of the participating PHR vendors can also add other personal health information if they choose. Depending on the specific product, they may be able to authorize links to other personal electronic information such as pharmacy data. PHRs can offer links to tools that help consumers manage their health such as wellness programs for tracking diet and exercise, medical devices, health education information, and applications to detect potential medication interactions.

Beneficiaries can elect to allow family members to have access to their PHR. They can also provide access to the PHR to their health care providers.

If PHR vendors want more information about this pilot, they can visit http://www.NoridianMedicare.com/phr/ or they can send an email to solicitation@medicarephr.org.

To read the entire CMS press release issued today, August 8, 2008 click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/press.asp

Release of Out-of-Pocket Limits for Medigap Plans K & L for Calendar Year 2009

CMS released the 2009 out-of-pocket (OOP) limits for Medigap plans K & L; the limits are $4,620 and $2,310, respectively. The OOP limits for Medigap plans K and L are updated each year and are based on estimates of the United States Per Capita Costs (USPCC) of the Medicare program published by CMS. The full text of the announcement is available on the CMS website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Medigap/.

Visit the Medicare Learning Network ~ it’s free!
End of Listserv Message

August 12, 2008

The following Listserv information is being distributed through Riverbend GBA. Please review to the end of this document for information that may affect your facility.

Information from The CMS.
Note: Click the hyperlink to view the full story.

CMS Evidentiary Priorities
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:47:27 -0500
Date: 08/08/2008
Subject: CMS Evidentiary Priorities
Content: N/A

The following instructions have been posted to the CMS Website:
New / Revised Material

Effective Date: April 28, 2008
Implementation Date: August 25, 2008
Disclaimer for manual changes only: The revision date and transmittal number apply only to red italicized material. Any other material was previously published and remains unchanged. However, if this revision contains a table of contents, you will receive the new/revised information only, and not the entire table of contents.

NOTE: Transmittal 89, dated July 25, 2008, is rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 92, dated August 8, 2008. The Implementation Date on the Business Requirements was erroneously stated as August 25, 2005. The correct Implementation Date is August 25, 2008. All other material remains the same.

SUBJECT: Screening DNA Stool Test for Colorectal Cancer
I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Following reconsideration of the current national coverage determination (NCD) for colorectal cancer screening, CMS proposes not to expand the colorectal cancer screening benefit to include coverage of PreGen-Plus, a commercially available screening DNA stool test. The FDA determines that this test requires premarket review and approval. A subsequent request for reconsideration will be considered once FDA approval is obtained.

This revision of Pub.100-03, section 210.3 is a national coverage determination (NCD). NCDs are binding on all carriers, fiscal intermediaries, quality improvement organizations, qualified independent contractors, the Medicare Appeals Council, and administrative law judges (ALJs) (see 42 CFR section 405.1060(a)(4) (2005)). An NCD that expands coverage is also binding on a Medicare Advantage Organization. In addition, an ALJ may not review an NCD. (See section 1869(f)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act.) http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R92NCD.pdf
CMS Seeks Cosponsors for Educational Conference on E-prescribing Incentive Payment Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a conference to educate physicians and other stakeholders about a newly enacted federal program of incentive payments to encourage the use of electronic prescribing. CMS is requesting interested public and private sector organizations to join the agency as cosponsors of the conference, which will be held Oct. 6–7, 2008, in Boston.

“The new incentive program will help spread adoption of e-prescribing throughout the health care community,” said CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems. “E-prescribing has many benefits for patients, providers, health plans, and pharmacies. Not only is e-prescribing more efficient than paper prescriptions, it is also safer. E-prescribing can help reduce the number of adverse drug events, which for Medicare beneficiaries alone is estimated at 530,000 a year.”
The many benefits of e-prescribing include:
Physicians have electronic access to each patient’s prescription history, helping them avoid prescribing drugs that may result in harmful drug interactions;
E-prescribing eliminates the possibility of medication errors caused by illegible prescribing clinician handwriting;E-prescribing reduces confusion and miscommunication, resulting in fewer phone calls and faxes between the physician’s office and the pharmacy; and With access to a patient’s insurance and formulary information at the point of care, physicians can prescribe a drug that is both covered and affordable, resulting in fewertrips to the pharmacy.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) established a five-year program of incentive payments to eligible professionals who are successful electronic prescribers. Successful prescribers are those who either report applicable electronic prescribing measures established under the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) or who electronically submit prescriptions under Medicare Part D at a level determined by CMS. The incentive payment program begins on January 1, 2009. The conference will serve to educate affected constituencies on the MIPPA program and CMS’ plans for implementation.

The notice invites interested parties to submit proposals detailing how they could support CMS, in a non-fiduciary relationship, by developing conference content, identifying speakers, and implementing outreach activities to educate affected provider, business, and consumer stakeholders about this new program. Interested organizations may include:

Physician and provider organizations (including those representing primary care, specialty care, surgical, and medicine-based specialties);

Organizations representing health care professionals;
Organizations representing pharmacy industry stakeholders, including retail and community pharmacies;Organizations representing state and local officials; and Organizations representing a broad range of beneficiary interests.

The educational conference will:
Equip health care professionals and other stakeholders with the knowledge and the tools to integrate e-prescribing into their business model;Educate health care professionals about the structure and implementation of the incentive payment structure with respect to e-prescribing and PQRI;Generate discussion about the use of e-prescribing and other e-health initiatives to increase patient compliance and overall health outcomes;Identify and promote opportunities to overcome barriers to adoption of this new technology; andAddress constituent concerns about privacy, security, and risk management with respect to implementation of the e-prescribing incentive payment program.

Selection criteria outlined in the notice include an applicant’s:
Identity as a non-profit, financially disinterested entity that representsconstituenciesaffected by e-prescribing;Demonstrated interest in e-prescribing technology and implementation and knowledge of current e-prescribing standards for Medicare Part D;Presentation of activities and connections that likely will further the public health benefits of e-prescribing; and Willingness to work ollaboratively with other public and private sector organizations to achieve the goals of
e-prescribing and other e-health initiatives.

CMS will invite selected organizations that meet the evaluation criteria to enter into formal, nonfiduciary cosponsor agreements to consult on the conference program content, speaker selection, and outreach strategies, in addition to other tasks as described in individual cosponsor agreements. Potential cosponsors must understand that cosponsor agreements will clearly indicate that there will be no federal endorsement of the cosponsor or endorsement of any policies, activities, products, or services resulting from cosponsorship of the conference.

The notice may be viewed at (http://federalregister.gov/page2.aspx). Proposals to cosponsor the educational conference must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on August 15, 2008.
The following Medi-Letters were posted to the RGBA Website from 08/01/08 – 08/08/08

MediNumber: 3237-08
MMNumber: MM6107
Date: 2008-08-01
Provider Audience: All Providers
Title: Medicare Contractor Annual Update of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. This article is based on Change Request (CR) 6107 and reminds the Medicare contractors and providers that the annual ICD-9-CM update will be effective for dates of service on and after October 1, 2008 (for institutional providers, effective for discharges on or after October 1, 2008). You can see the new, revised, and discontinued ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/07_summarytables.asp#TopOfPage, or at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) website at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd9.htm in June of each year.
MLN Matters Article
RGBA Medi Letter

MEDICARE PILOT PROGRAM WILL OFFER BENEFICIARIES CHOICES FOR MAINTAINING THEIR OWN PERSONAL HEALTH RECORDS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a pilot program to test options for beneficiaries with Original Medicare to maintain their health records electronically. Under this pilot in Arizona and Utah, a beneficiary may choose one of the selected commercial personal health record (PHR) tools, and Medicare will transfer up to two years of the individual’s claims data into the individual’s PHR.

Beneficiaries who select one of the participating PHR vendors can also add other personal health information if they choose. Depending on the specific product, they may be able to authorize links to other personal electronic information such as pharmacy data. PHRs can offer links to tools that help consumers manage their health such as wellness programs for tracking diet and exercise, medical devices, health education information, and applications to detect potential medication interactions.

Beneficiaries can elect to allow family members to have access to their PHR. They can also provide access to the PHR to their health care providers.

If PHR vendors want more information about this pilot, they can visit http://www.NoridianMedicare.com/phr/ or they can send an email to solicitation@medicarephr.org. To read the entire CMS press release issued today, August 8, 2008 click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/press.asp

Release of Out-of-Pocket Limits for Medigap Plans K & L for Calendar Year 2009
CMS released the 2009 out-of-pocket (OOP) limits for Medigap plans K & L; the limits are $4,620 and $2,310, respectively. The OOP limits for Medigap plans K and L are updated each year and are based on estimates of the United States Per Capita Costs (USPCC) of the Medicare program published by CMS. The full text of the announcement is available on the CMS website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Medigap/.

Visit the Medicare Learning Network ~ it’s free!

End of Listserv Message

August 13, 2008

The following Listserv information is being distributed through Riverbend GBA. Please review to the end of this document for information that may affect your facility.

MEDICARE RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: CMS Office of Media Affairs

August 8, 2008 (202) 690-6145
CMS Seeks Cosponsors for Educational Conference on E-Prescribing Incentive Payment Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a conference to educate physicians and other stakeholders about a newly enacted federal program of incentive payments to encourage the use of electronic prescribing.

CMS is requesting interested public and private sector organizations to join the agency as cosponsors of the conference, which will be held Oct. 6–7, 2008, in Boston.

CMS will invite selected organizations that meet the evaluation criteria to enter into formal, nonfiduciary cosponsor agreements to consult on the conference program content, speaker selection, and outreach strategies, in addition to other tasks as described in individual cosponsor agreements. Potential cosponsors must understand that cosponsor agreements will clearly indicate that there will be no federal endorsement of the cosponsor or endorsement of any policies, activities, products, or services resulting from cosponsorship of the conference.

Deadlines for cosponsor proposals must be received no later than August 15, 2008.
Proposals must be sent electronically to the following: e.prescribing@cms.hhs.gov

To read the entire CMS press release issued today, August 8, 2008 click here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/press.asp

Attached, please find external materials:
1. Press Release (External Use)
2. Register Notice (External Use)

MEDICARE AWARDS CONTRACTS FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS' 9TH STATEMENT OF WORK

Nationwide Network of Contractors to Work with Providers to Improve Quality and Safety of Health Care for Medicare Beneficiaries

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded contracts for the 9th Statement of Work (SOW) for the 53 contractors participating in Medicare's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program. The 9th SOW focuses on improving the quality and safety of health care services to Medicare beneficiaries. The QIO contracts extend from August 1, 2008, through July 31, 2011, and mark a new direction for the QIO Program.

The QIO Program’s 9th SOW aims to improve the quality of care and protect Medicare beneficiaries through 3 national themes, to be implemented by each of the 53 QIO contractors nationwide throughout the contract period--Beneficiary Protection, Patient Safety (also known as the “CMS National Patient Safety Initiative”), and Prevention. In addition to these national themes, QIOs in select states will focus on Health Disparities Reduction, Care Transitions, and Chronic Kidney Disease work.

For more information about the QIO 9th Statement of Work, including a list of all 53 QIOs and the states/jurisdictions selected for sub-national work, view the fact sheet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/QualityImprovementOrgs/downloads/9thSOWAnnouncement080508.pdf . For more information, please visit: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/QualityImprovementOrgs.

Additional Information Regarding 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) ~ National Provider to be held on August 13^th

Additional Information:
The call has been extended an additional half hour to cover the following newly added topics:

2007 PQRI Feedback Reports
2007 PQRI Incentive Payments

The PowerPoint presentation for the National Provider Call can be accessed at www.qualitynet.org/pqri on the internet. The slides should be posted there by COB Monday, August 11, 2008. They can be accessed by clicking on “8/13/08 National Provider Call Slides” found on the left side navigation box on the PQRI Portal page – this information is not password protected.

In addition, information to access the PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the PQRI website under the “CMS Sponsored Calls” page, at least one day prior to the call, located at, https://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI, on the CMS website.

Thank you.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the sixth in a series of national provider conference calls on the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., EDT, on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.

This call will provide an overview of the PQRI provisions in the new Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008; information on the E-prescribing measure for 2008 PQRI (measure #125) and proposed measures for 2009 PQRI; incentives for electronic prescribing outlined in the MIPPA; an update on registry reporting for 2008, and a question and answer session.

Information on how to access the PowerPoint slide presentation will be posted to the PQRI web page at, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/02_CMSSponsoredCalls.asp, on the CMS website for you to download prior to the call so that you can follow along with the presenters, Dr. Michael Rapp, and Dr. Daniel Green.

Following the presentation, callers will have an opportunity to ask questions of CMS subject matter experts.

Conference call details:
Date: August 13, 2008
Conference Title: 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative National Provider Call
Time: 3:30-5:30 pm EDT

In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available below.

Registration will close at 3:30 p.m. EDT on August 12, 2008, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.

1. To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/081308

2. Fill in all required data.

3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.

4. Click "Register."

5. You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email
shortly thereafter.

Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.

For those of you who will be unable to attend, a replay option will be available shortly following the end of the call. This replay will be accessible from 5:30 p.m. EDT 8/13/2008 until 11:59 p.m. EDT 8/20/2008. The call in data for the replay is (800) 642-1687 and the passcode is 55967176.

If you require services for the hearing impaired please send an email to Medicare.TTT@PalmettoGBA.com.

End of Listserv Message.