Did you know? Beginning in October, physicians will have 122 new ICD-9 diagnosis codes and 12 new procedure codes from which to choose for 2011. A large portion of the diagnosis codes are in the "V" code section, which describe a "supplementary classification of factors influencing health status and contact with health services," according to the ICD-9 manual. There are a few codes that will be added to the cardiology portion of ICD-9-CM. The lists, from CMS, also include codes that were revised and codes that will be invalid for 2011. New Cardiology Codes are:
- 447.70 - Aortic ectasia, unspecified site
- 447.71 - Thoracic aortic ectasia
- 447.72 - Abdominal aortic ectasia
- 447.73 - Thoracoabdominal aortic ectasia
More information is available on CardioSource.org.
Last chance to collect! Over $350 million is available as part of the UnitedHealth Group settlement to any and all providers who submitted "non-network" claims to UnitedHealth Group between 1994 and 2010. The ACC has teamed up with the Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG) to help members in obtaining data, identifying eligible claims and submitting all necessary paperwork to the settlement administrator by the October deadline. Given the 15-year window for eligible claims, providers must contact MCAG by Oct. 1. It is important when contacting MCAG to let them know that you are an ACC and/or an AMA member to receive the discounted rates. The MCAG phone number is 800-355-0466.
Now online:
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VIDEO: Don't miss a special CVN interview featuring ACC CEO Jack Lewin and Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal on the new federal electronic health record incentive program. Also, check out the highlights video from ACC's 2010 Legislative Conference.
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ACC IN TOUCH BLOG: HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, this week announced $320 million in grants under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to strengthen the health care workforce. Of those grants, $253 million will go to improve and expand the primary care workforce under the Prevention and Public Health Fund of the Affordable Care Act. Another $67 million in Health Profession Opportunity Grants will provide low-income individuals with education, training and supportive services that will help them prepare to enter and advance in careers in the health care sector. Read the complete blog post.
Check your mailbox for the latest issue of Cardiology magazine. This issue focuses on the results of the ACC's 2010 Practice Census and features commentary on the future of fee-for-service and private practice. In addition, don't miss the profile of Baylor University's efforts to reduce cardiac-related hospital readmissions, an overview of the 2010 Legislative Conference, information on the new CardioSmart hypertension pilot program in California, and much more.
Comparing effectively ... Don't miss a special Oct. 12 AHRQ web conference on comparative effectiveness research (CER) and ways that it can be used by clinicians for day-to-day decision making in their practices. The conference will include presentations by AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy on the role of CER in health care improvement and Jean Slutsky, director of AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence, on AHRQ's existing CER resources on diabetes and cardiac conditions. Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are encouraged to participate in the conference. In addition, those involved with clinician associations and integrated health care systems will have opportunities to learn about research affecting clinical practice. The web conference will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. (ET). To participate go to: http://www.academyhealth.org/knowledgetransfer/EHCWebConference/.
Questions/Comments contact ACC Advocate Editor Steve Erickson at
advocate@acc.org
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