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Medicare News

Now Available: Revised CMS Claim Form
Effective January 2, 2007, the recently revised CMS 1500 claim form is being accepted by each of the four Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs). From January 2 through April 1, 2007, both the previous version and the new version of the CMS 1500 form will be accepted. Effective April 2, 2007, only the revised CMS 1500 form will be accepted by the DME MACs.

The new CMS 1500 form includes space for your National Provider Identifier (NPI). The new form also includes a field for your current, or legacy, provider number. As a reminder, you must obtain and use your NPI number by May 23, 2007.

View a sample of the revised CMS 1500 claim form.

Find out what your facility needs to do to obtain a NPI number.

Questions? Contact Joe McTernan at (571) 431-0811 or jmcternan@AOPAnet.org.

Medicare Announces New Interest Rate
The quarterly update of the interest rate used by Medicare on underpayments and overpayments was implemented on Jan. 19, 2007. The new rate of 12.5% is a slight increase from the previous rate of 12.375%.

For Medicare overpayments and underpayments, interest accrues from the date of the initial determination of improper payment but is not assessed until 30 days later. The interest rate is then applied every 30 days until the full overpayment is returned to the Medicare program or the program pays the facility, thereby correcting the underpayment.

Questions? Contact Joe McTernan at (571) 431-0811 or jmcternan@AOPAnet.org.

O&P Resources from AOPA

Earn 21 CE Credits in Orlando at AOPA Seminars!
Attend the first AOPA Coding & Billing and Documentation Seminars of 2007 on Feb. 27-Mar. 1 in Orlando at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center. Attendees earn 21 CE credits at this three-day event. Register today.

The special room rate at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center is $149 if attendees make their reservations before Jan 29. Also, registration pricing for members increases from $525 to $550 after Jan. 29, so register now!

Questions about registration? Contact Heather Franklin at hfranklin@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0876, ext. 205.

Ensure Quick and Easy Coding in 2007
Now available for pre-order: 2007 CodingPro CD-ROM, Illustrated Guide and Quick Coder. In addition to providing direct coding and reimbursement advice, AOPA experts have developed these products to assist your facility in receiving the appropriate payment for your O&P services. For pricing and to pre-order the products, visit the AOPA Bookstore online.

Questions? Contact the AOPA Bookstore at (571) 431-0865.

Feb. 15: Get a Jump on 2007 Policies and Codes
Dial in to this AOPA Telephone Seminar on Feb. 15 to ensure your business is ready for 2007. Learn more about:

-New, changed and deleted codes;
-New fee schedule; and
-New medical policies you need to know.

AOPA Medicare Telephone Seminar
Feb. 15, 1:00–2:00 pm EST
1.5 CE credits per participant
$99 ($199 nonmembers), per telephone line
Register today! The cost of this seminar includes an unlimited number of participants per telephone line.

Questions? Contact Heather Franklin at hfranklin@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0876, ext. 205.

Bonus Exposure for March O&P Almanac Advertisers
The March O&P Almanac will include bonus distribution at the 2007 Academy Meeting. Purchase ad space to take advantage of this opportunity to be seen by even more than the usual circulation of 15,000. Act by Feb. 9 to secure space, send artwork by Feb. 14.

Also, production of the 2007 AOPA Yearbook has begun. Act by March 15 to secure a spot in this publication referenced by O&P facilities throughout the year.

Contact Amy Clontz for details at aclontz@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0817.

2007 AOPA National Assembly

Present Your Ideas and Experiences at the Assembly!
Submit an abstract for the 2007 AOPA National Assembly (Sept. 17-20, 2007, The Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas). Interested candidates should complete the abstract submission form no later than Jan. 31 for consideration.

The selection process is based on the relevance and interest of the content, coherence of the abstract and the speakers’ expertise on the subject. Speaking provides extensive exposure, recognition and the opportunity to impact the O&P community.

Questions? Contact Elreatha Matthews at ematthews@AOPAnet.org or (571) 431-0818.

Insider's Track

People In the News

Jessica Ciacco and Louis Wolf recently received awards at the Amputee Coalition of America’s (ACA) holiday party in Washington, D.C…. Rowan English is the new senior lecturer and head of the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Troube University, Victoria, Australia… Dr. Jan Ertl has joined the orthopedic surgery department at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif…. William R. Floyd has been appointed chairman and CEO of Benchmark Medical, an outpatient physical rehabilitation center with an orthotics and prosthetics division… Lance Hoag, CO, has joined the staff at Asheville Orthotic Prosthetic Center, based in Asheville, N.C…. Steve Sherman has been promoted from key account manager to national sales manager at Freedom Innovations, based in Irvine, Calif.

Businesses In the News

Desert Prosthetics and Orthotics Groups has opened its third California location in Indio. The company also has offices in Cathedral City and Yucca Valley.

OTS Corporation, based in Weaverville, N.C., recently donated $5,000 in orthotic components to Mercy Ships, a medical charity that provides services to underprivileged patients.

The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund (OPAF) has reached an agreement with www.goodsearch.com that allows searchers of the site to raise money for OPAF. Visitors to the site can enter “OPAF” as their designated charity and then, with every search, 50 percent of the money generated by advertisers will be donated to the organization.