Back-ups can seem a bit mundane, but are a real lifesaver if you have a hardware failure. There are 2 types of back-up on MMS and POMS and you should always do both.

Daily back-up: The best time to back-up your billing data is at the end of every day that you enter billing information. You will need either 2 sets of floppy discs or 2 USB drives. Open the System Functions menu and select #2—Data Back-up. Each day, switch which discs or drives you use. We recommend keeping one set off-site.

Security back-up: You do not need any discs or USB drives for this back-up. This back-up needs to be done once a week and the system will tell you when to run it. Usually, the first person to go into the system will see a pop-up window open labeled “Security Back-up: Preparing to create a hard drive back-up”. Do not hit escape! Just hit enter twice and let it run.

These back-ups only save your billing information. If you have other files that you can’t live without (like QuickBooks or Word documents) be sure to regularly back up those through Windows.

Most of you know we are re-designing the practice management system in a Windows-based format. Since many of you have asked how the process is going, this is a good time to give you an update and answer some of your questions.

When will the software be ready to install? It’s already taken longer than we ever imagined but we’re making great progress. We will need to run parallel testing in house and convert all of our in house accounts before we start installing in any office. Feel free to stop by any time and we will give you a preview!

Will I need to upgrade our hardware? This software will need to have Windows XP operating system in order to work. Always contact our office before purchasing any type of hardware—we need to give you all the specifications.

How will the new system differ from the old system? This is a totally new system. The look is completely different, with more use of the mouse and the TAB key. There is access to more information with expanded reports. In short, this is not your mother’s Oldsmobile!

Is there anything I should do to prepare for the new system? If you do not currently have broadband internet access, you might want to consider it. The new system will allow you to download updates from our website and we will be able to dial into your system easily if you have high-speed internet. Most insurance companies now post all of their new information on their websites instead of mailing bulletins, so having a high-speed connection is becoming important to keep up with rapid industry changes.

Please feel free to contact us via email:

Medicare will no longer accept OTH000 as a UPIN for a referring or ordering provider starting April 3rd, 2006. You will need to scan through your referring doctor file and change those UPINs. To look up a valid UPIN for a provider, go to http://www.upin registry.com. There are some providers who do not have their own UPINs. Here is a list of miscellaneous UPINs that are still valid.

The NPI (National Provider Identifier) will be replacing all UPIN numbers. October is an important deadline for your Medicare claims. If you have not applied for your NPI yet, now is a good time to get started.

For NPI information, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalProvIdentStand /. This site contains links to a wealth of general NPI information.

To apply, go to https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do. From this site you can either apply on-line or download a paper application.

For all providers, you will find it helpful to have all of your provider numbers available, plus your taxonomy code and state license number before you apply on- line. If you are an organization with multiple providers, you will also want to be aware of the instructions for sub-parts. Once you have received your NPI(s) you will then need to share those numbers with others. Insurance companies, especially those you are contracted with, will need your NPI. The hospital(s) where you have privileges and other providers to whom you refer patients will also need your NPI.

Introductory Chemistry was taught at Duke University for many years by professor Bonk. One year, two guys took the class and did pretty well on all the quizzes and mid-terms--so much so that going into the final, they each had a solid A. These two friends were so confident going into the final that the weekend before finals week, despite the Chemistry final being on Monday, they decided to go to the Uuniversity of Virginina to party with some friends.

They did this and had a great time. However, with their hangovers and tiredness, they overslept all day Sunday and didn't make it back to Duke until early Monday morning. Rather than taking the final then, they found professor Bonk after the final and explained to him how they missed the final. They told him they went up to the University of Virgina for the weekend and had planned to come back in time to study, but they had a flat tire on the way back and didn't have a spare. They couldn't fix it for a long time and were late getting back to campus.

Bonk thought this over and agreed that they could take the final the following day. The two guys, elated and relieved, studied that night and went in the next day at the time that Bonk had told them. He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet. He told them to begin.

They looked at the first problem which was something simple about molarity and solutions; it was worth 5 points. "Cool," they thought, "this is going to be an easy final". They then turned the page. They were unprepared, however, for what they saw on it. The question contained only two words: (95 points) Which tire?