Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
CMS Paid First EHR Incentive Bonuses Last Week
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Plus: CMS Officials Want ACOs to Tackle Dual Eligible Problems Part B practices that have been using electronic health records (EHRs) under CMS's guidelines cashed in last week, when CMS sent out the first incentive payments under the EHR Incentive Program. Eligible professionals (EPs) who participate in the program receive a payment based on 75 percent of their Medicare allowed charges, with a maximum 2011 incentive payment of $18,000, according to a May 18 CMS news release. EPs cannot collect incentive payments until they meet a $24,000 threshold in allowed Medicare charges. You will collect your EHR incentive payment via electronic funds transfer or by paper check, and the money will be issued to the taxpayer identification number (TIN) selected during EHR Incentive Program registration. The payments will not come from your MAC, but from a separate contractor working with CMS. Therefore, CMS encourages you not to call your MAC regarding EHR incentive payment issues. Instead, the EHR Information Center can be reached at 888-734-6433.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
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