The PSA bonus is payable for dates of service from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007. The bonus is not payable for dates of service after December 31, 2007. Make certain that your billing staffs are aware of these changes. Section 413(a) of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) requires Medicare to pay an additional five percent bonus to physicians rendering service in a designated PSA. Physician scarcity designations are based on the lowest primary care and specialty care ratios of Medicare beneficiaries to active physicians in every county or the lowest primary care and specialty care ratios of Medicare beneficiaries to active physicians in each identified rural census tract. The bonus payment is based on the amount actually paid, not the amount Medicare approved for each service. The key point of CR5711 is that the PSA termination date is December 31, 2007 and is not payable for dates of service after that date. For complete details regarding this issue, see the official instruction (CR5711) issued to your Medicare carrier, FI, or A/B MAC. That instruction may be viewed by clicking here. For information about HPSA/PSA (Physician Bonuses) and zip code downloadable files, click here. If you have questions, please contact your Medicare carrier, FI, or A/B MAC at their toll-free number, which may be found here.

BCBS Settlement
Alert! Keep in mind if you choose to file a claim in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Settlement, you must submit a claim form postmarked no later than October 19, 2007. You can download all relevant materials at http://www.fmaonline.org/phys/bcbsinfo.asp. To view the BCBS settlement agreement click here. Information is also available regarding the opt out process as prepared by the Physicians Advocacy Institute, Inc. Click here to view.

The FMA has received calls regarding recent mailings about the BCBS settlement. As a member of the FMA you can contact the office at 800.762.0233 or visit http://www.fmaonline.org/phys/bcbsinfo.asp for more information.

Latest AMA Therapeutic Insights Online Newsletter Released
The FMA, in cooperation with the AMA, announces the release of "Current Management of Dyslipidemia in Adults," the latest AMA Therapeutic Insights newsletter. This free online quarterly newsletter spotlights one disease state per issue and features state and national prescribing data along with evidence-based guidelines for treatment. The Dyslipidemia issue offers case-based applications of the National Cholesterol Education Program's recommendations for therapy in patients who are at high risk for coronary disease. Click here to read this issue, as well as previous newsletters featuring Migraines and Type 2 diabetes.

Member Spotlight
The FMA would like to congratulate Danielle Walsh, M.D. of Jacksonville, FL, who recently received a three-year appointment as Cancer Liaison Physician at Nemours Children's Clinic.

FMA Board of Governors & Council Days
Don't miss the FMA Board of Governors & Council Days meeting Oct. 25-28, 2007 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida!  Make your reservations today. For more information, click here.
 

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