President Obama Signs the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014
On April 1, 2014, President Obama signed into law the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. This new law prevents a scheduled payment reduction for physicians and other practitioners who treat Medicare patients from taking effect on April 1, 2014. This new law maintains the 0.5 percent update for such services that applied from January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014 for the period April 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. It also provides a zero percent update to the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) through March 31, 2015. More information can be found here.

MLN Connects Provider eNews for April 3, 2014
Please take note of the articles included in the Claims, Pricers and Codes section of this edition:

• Appeals for Cancelled Claims Related to Medicare Beneficiaries Classified as “Unlawfully Present” in the U.S. 
• Mandatory Payment Reduction of 2% Continues through March 31, 2015, for the Medicare FFS Program — “Sequestration” 
• Adjustment of Community Mental Health Center Claims for Telehealth Originating Facility Fees 
• Incorrect Overpayments and Denials for Some New Patient Visit Claims 

New Medicare Insights Weekly Podcasts Now Available
In this week’s Medicare Insights Weekly podcast we cover submitting medical records by disc and the addition of Telehealth services to the Reference Manual. We also introduce you to the Novitas Educational Tips and Tools. This is a program you can’t miss. Podcast information and subscription can be found here.

Part B Webinar Handout: “Part B Medicare Updates-2014 Second Quarter”