The Colorado Medical Society encourages all physician practices to complete the 2015 MGMA surveys, particularly as Colorado will no longer conduct our own salary survey. With the support of National MGMA we will have more data and access to much more information.

The 2015 MGMA Compensation Survey opened Jan. 26, 2015 and includes office staff compensation. Click here to take that survey. The 2015 Cost and Revenue Survey opens Feb. 23, 2015. The deadline for receipt of all survey information is March 7, 2015.

Though the national MGMA survey may have seemed overwhelming in the past, participating in the national survey will be advantageous; we can participate in one survey and get Colorado information in one place.

You do not need to be a member of National MGMA or Colorado MGMA to participate in the survey. Nonmembers must create an account and the ID you receive upon registration will be your access to the online survey and survey results.

Advantages of participating in the survey include:

• Complimentary access to the survey results both state and local.
• Participants receive the electronic report results for free in DataDive Lite for each survey completed
• The state with the greatest percentage increase in survey participation will receive the following benefits:
  • Recognition on the MGMA National website
  • A certificate acknowledging the state's participation accomplishments
  • A trophy to display at the state MGMA office, presented at the 2016 State Leadership Meeting

Join us in making Colorado a leader in the survey participation.

The Colorado Division of Insurance warns current and former Anthem policyholders in Colorado to be aware of a scam email and phone campaign that tries to capitalize on the recent cyber attack. The emails are designed to capture personal information (known as "phishing") and appear to come from Anthem. The emails include a "click here" link for credit monitoring or other information. The phone calls may also sound as if they are legitimately from Anthem.

Click here to read more on CMS.org.

Beginning on Aug. 1, 2013, Colorado Medicaid began coverage of end-of-life counseling, or advanced directives, by primary care providers and other specialty providers caring for persons with serious, chronic, or terminal illness relating to the Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment. The Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) is a medical order set defining patient choices for certain life-sustaining treatments. The MOST orders are portable across all health care settings and intended as a key device in maintaining continuity of care and communication.

The procedure code for this service is S0257; it is billed in addition to the appropriate Evaluation and Management service. The provider types eligible to render this service are physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or licensed mental health provider. The reimbursement for this service is available once a year for persons with serious, chronic, or terminal illness. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing would like to encourage providers to provide and bill for this service for appropriate clients.

Click here to read more.

In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will begin making separate payment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for Chronic Care Management (CCM) services under Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) code 99490. CCM services are non-face-to-face care management/coordination services for certain Medicare beneficiaries having multiple (two or more) chronic conditions.

During the Feb. 18 MLN Connects™ National Provider Call, the federal CMS will review the requirements for physicians and other practitioners to bill the new CPT code to the PFS. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Call participants are encouraged to review the following rules prior to the call: The 2014 PFS final rule (CMS-1600-FC) pages 74414-74427 and the 2015 PFS final rule (CMS-1612-FC) pages 67715-67730, which are available on the PFS webpage.

Click here to register.

HCPF reminds physicians that Medicaid members cannot be billed for any service covered by Medicaid whether or not Medicaid has paid the provider, whether claims are rejected or denied by Medicaid due to provider error, or whether the provider is enrolled in the Colorado Medical Assistance Program. The law applies even if a Medicaid member agrees to pay for part or all of a covered service.

Click here to read more on CMS.org.

COPIC has developed in-person seminars for medical professionals responsible for human resources management. Seminars will cover an array of topics including managing employee performance issues, performance documentation, harassment prevention, employment case law, and fostering a professional work environment. Attendees will gain essential information to minimize the risks that accompany human resources management. Please see below for upcoming programs in 2015.

• Managing Performance - The Good, Bad and the Ugly, Wednesday, March 18, 8 - 10:30 a.m. at COPIC
• HR Roundtable, Tuesday, May 19 at COPIC
• Employment Case Law-Post-Mortem, Wednesday, Aug. 19 at COPIC
• Creating a Professional Work Environment, available to be held on-site at medical practices and facilities by request

Participants will be able to earn COPIC points for attendance on behalf of one eligible physician per practice. To register, please visit www.callcopic.com/education and select from "In-Person" seminars. Registration deadline is five business days before each scheduled program. Those who are not insured by COPIC will need to pay a $25 registration fee for each seminar. If you have any questions, please contact LaNee Reynolds at (720) 858-6057 or lreynolds@copic.com.