Highmark Medicare Services
Provider Outreach & Education (POE) Advisory Group
Maryland
Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2008
1:00 – 2:00p.m. 

Welcome and Introductions

Denise Church, Manager Outreach and Education, welcomed the group to the MD POE Advisory meeting, introductions were made of those that participated by phone and those that were in attendance at the meeting.  Denise also reviewed the purpose and goals of participating on the POE Advisory Group. 

J12 MAC

Denise Church, Manager of Provider Outreach & Education provided an update regarding the J12 MAC. You can find more information regarding the J12 MAC here. 

Provider Enrollment

Linda Ritter from Provider Enrollment Service (PES) discussed the following: 

New version of the CMS-855 Forms Published 2/08

The Office of Management and Budget recently approved changes to the Medicare Enrollment Applications (CMS-855).  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has placed the revised enrollment applications on their website.  You may access these forms via Highmark Medicare Services’ website.   

With the exception of specialty hospitals who are required to use the revised application immediately, Highmark Medicare Services will accept the 2006 version of the CMS-855 for all providers and suppliers through June 2008.  However, we encourage you to submit the revised version of the application.  Please review MLN Matters Number SE0810 for more details on the new forms. 

Register for IACS-PC now to be ready to use PECOS Web Applications

SE0747 - (first in the series)

SE0753 - (second in the series)

SE0754 - (third in the series)

When to submit a CMS-855 Form to Provider Enrollment

http://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/partb/enrollment/forms.html

Current Quarter and Future Education Activities

Denise Church, Manager Outreach and Education, advised the committee of the upcoming educational events, (see schedule below) or visit our website for more details. 

May 2008

• Webinar    -   SNF Rehab 5/14
• Teleconferences   -  Claim Errors 5/21

Billing Diagnostic Services 5/22

June 2008

• ACT   -   6/3
• Webinar   -   CORF/CR5898 6/17
• FISS Basic   -   6/10 Camp Hill & 6/11 Pittsburgh
• CAC   -   6/12       
• Workshops   -   Hospital 6/20 & 6/27

July 2008

• Teleconference    -    Medicare Updates 7/30
• Workshops    -    Hospital 7/10, 7/15, 7/22, 7/24 & 7/29

However, moving forward POE is considering a webinar for the FISS Basic classes in addition to the classroom style offered at Camp Hill, Pittsburgh and Timonium, MD. 

For additional information on FISS, you may visit our website to download the FISS Manual.  Feedback was requested on the direction of FISS Basic, suggestions indicated to continue with the quarterly classes and include instructions via webinar so that staff could participate without leaving the office.  

At this time, POE will be cutting back on FISS Advance classes do to low attendance. 

Suggestions for Lunch and Learns were solicited, however no suggestions were provided at today’s meeting. If you think of a topic or have a suggestion, please notify Denise Church at: denise.church@highmarkmedicareservices.com. 

As a reminder, the ACT is scheduled for June 3, 2008 from 1-2:30 p.m.  If you have any topics you would liked discussed, please email Denise at:  denise.church@highmarkmedicareservices.com.