Almost all MMS clients have had their software updated to handle the NPI. The next step is to fill out the form that came with your update. This form tells Medicare EDI when you will start sending the NPI.

IMPORTANT: If you are not able to do this by February 1st, please call our office so we can change the default start date in your system.

For our POMS clients, we are in the process of installing the update. If you haven’t already received it, we will be contacting you very soon.

The new 1500 claim form (8/05) is now being accepted by most payers. After April 1st, the old 1500 form (12/90) will not be accepted. In order to allow time for mail delivery, you will want to change your forms before April 1st. So, if you are ordering 1500’s, be sure to order the new version, 8/05. When you have your new forms and are ready to start using them, you will need to switch all payers to Form 5 in MMS and Form 6 in POMS. Give our office a call if you would like more information.

It’s important to review your EMC reports—they confirm whether your claims are going to be processed. There are 3 main reports that should be checked—RSP, DPR and the Medicare Mailbox. If you are not carefully reviewing these reports, you will want to learn how before the NPI is fully implemented. Call our office if you would like complete instructions.

Many of you have asked whether there will be an NPI registry similar to the UPIN registry. Up to this point, the answer has been no. We recently received information about a community directory called Northwest NPI Service. It appears to be a free service where you enter your NPI information and then you are able to access the other providers in the system.

To find out more, go to: onehealthport.com/services/administrative_npi.php

To print out an information sheet go to: onehealthport.com/pdf/npi_collateral_tearsht.pdf

Insurance companies are increasingly using their websites as the main way they distribute billing information. If you have high-speed internet, it is easy to navigate to these websites. The Noridian Medicare website has a vast amount of information. Especially helpful is the “News” section that includes the latest updates, Medicare B bulletins and fee schedules, just to name a few. Anyone can sign up for their free email subscription and receive the latest updates by email.

Check it out at:
www.noridianmedicare.com

Here are some helpful thoughts to get you through the work day.

• A pat on the back is only a few centimeters from a kick in the butt.
• You can go anywhere you want if you look serious and wear a lab coat.
• Eat one live toad the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.
• If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.
• Everything can be filed under "pending".
• To err is human, to forgive is not our policy.
• Important letters that contain no errors will develop errors in the mail.
• People who go to conferences are the ones who shouldn't.
• At work, the authority of a person is inversely proportional to the number of pens that person is carrying.
• When you don't know what to do, walk fast and look worried.