November 2 , 2005
E-Update

 

Table of Contents

CMS Issues Reminder about Applying for NPI

CMS Reschedules Open Door Forum on Recovery Audit Contractors

Contribute Prize to AMBUPAC Raffle

 New Exhibit Hall Hours for Annual Convention in Las Vegas

Just Added Preconference Workshops-
Tuesday, November 26; 12:00-4:00pm; Ballroom E

Have You Registered for AAA's Annual Convention and Trade Show

 


CMS Issues Reminder about Applying for NPI

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a reminder to healthcare provider organizations that Medicare providers are required by law to apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI). If your organization has not yet applied for a NPI, you can apply online by visiting https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov,=20.

Also, CMS has launched a webpage dedicated to the latest NPI news for providers. To access that webpage, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/providers/npi/default.asp

 

 

CMS Reschedules Open Door Forum on Recovery Audit Contractors

Special Open Door Forum
Recovery Audit Contractors: 3 Year Demonstration Project
RESCHEDULE Notice
NEW DATE and TIME: November 18, 2005, 1:00 -3:00 PM (Eastern Time)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been contacted by several external stakeholders interested in attending this Special Open Door Forum (ODF), who have noted that the previously scheduled meeting date conflicts with other national meetings. In order to better ensure health care provider, supplier, and beneficiary advocate participation, the open door forum will be rescheduled for Friday, November 18, 2005.

CMS recently implemented a new demonstration project using Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) as part of CMS’ efforts to ensure accurate payments. Under the conditions of this three-year demonstration project, the RACs will review Medicare claims to identify improper Medicare payments that have been made to healthcare providers and that were not detected through the prepayment review process. The RACs will review claims processed in the states of California, Florida and New York.
CMS is holding this Special Open Door Forum to provide a broad audience of health care providers, suppliers, and beneficiary advocates, with an opportunity to review the purpose and scope of this demonstration project, to allow for further public discussion on the roles and responsibilities of the RACs, and to give a better understanding of how they will conduct their operations during this three-year demonstration. The forum will begin with an update of the RAC demonstration, and will then transition into an open question and answer period with CMS policy experts and with the RAC contractor representatives from the three states.

We look forward to your participation.
Open Door Participation Instructions:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID 1661424:

Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880 and for Internet Relay services click here http://www.consumer.att.com/relay/which/index.html. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.

ENCORE: 1-800-642-1687
“Encore” is a recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 and entering the Conf. ID # 1661424. The recording begins November 21st, and expires after 4 business days.

Contribute Prize to AMBUPAC Raffle

At the AAA Annual Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas in late November through early December, there will be a raffle to benefit the AAA Federal Political Action Committee (AMBUPAC). All proceeds from the raffle will go to AMBUPAC which contributes funds to the political committees of Members of Congress. If you or your organization is interested in donating a prize for the raffle, please contact AAA Vice President of Government Affairs Tristan North at tnorth@the-aaa.org.


Haven't decided if you are going to attend the AAA's Annual Convention and Trade Show??

HERE ARE 5 REASONS TO ATTEND!

We have an informative line-up of Preconference Workshops

Tuesday, November 29
12:00-4:00pm
Ballroom E

 

November 28 - December 2, 2005
Las Vegas Hilton


Mercy Group
12-12:45pm

Maintaining compliance with the multitude of state, federal and local regulations for EMS providers challenges even the largest and most advanced organizations in the industry. Learn how Virtual Solutions Manager (VSM) has helped companies and organizations throughout the country become better employers, saving tens of thousands of dollars annually.
VSM is a web-based management tool, specifically designed to meet the training, communication, and recordkeeping needs of its customers. Easy data entry, recordkeeping, automated alert system, and access to reports is available 24/7/365 from any computer with internet access.
Join The Mercy Group for a live, interactive demo of Virtual Solutions Manager and learn how you too, can save money, improve employee morale, reduce your risk for citations and fines, and become a more cost-efficient organization.
Preview of DriveCam Workshop: Analyzing Driving Behavior in EMS


Medtronic
12:45-1:30pm

Capnography’s Need for EMS: Why it is here to Stay!
Presenter: Karen Fitch Bergenholtz

This lecture will discuss the necessity for capnography usage in EMS by looking at recent literature and supporting data. Practice implications and technology advances making it possible to implement into practice will be described. Current trends with capnography monitoring including local and state protocols utilizing capnography monitoring will also be discussed.

Background on Speaker:
Karen has extensive background in critical care and has worked with numerous EMS groups throughout the country implementing capnography into practice. She continues to provide support to paramedics on site on usage of end tidal CO2 and has done local and national speaking on Capnography products and education. She currently works for Oridion Capnography as the clinical support manager.

EMSED.Com
1:30-2:00pm

Presenter: Jim Eastham

Jim will be presenting the AAA Learning and Information Network and giving a demonstration on how it works and what options are available for AAA member companies and their managers. He will also give a demonstration of how member companies can quickly produce and present online audio slideshow presentations with a minimum amount of technical expertise. He will be using a product know as Articulate Presenter. The total for these two presentations would last 45 minutes.


DriveCam
 2-3:30pm

Analyzing Driving Behavior in EMS

In this interactive workshop, you will learn how new video technologies combined with sophisticated analysis software and driver coaching provide insights into paramedic and EMT driving habits that dramatically reduce the frequency and severity of ambulance crashes.

The implications for EMS Services include:

  • Lower management effort for great impact results;
  • Less injury to patients and personnel;
  • Significant reduction in vehicle maintenance keeps crews and equipment on the street;
  • Real-life training clips obtained from within their own system for use by training officers and supervisors;
  • Reduction in casualty claims by more than half, enabling the organization to avoid the cost of defending against unwarranted lawsuits, especially when if the driver was not at fault.

DriveCam mitigates risk by improving driver behavior and assessing liability in collisions. DriveCam's systems and services are used by commercial fleets to identify, manage and improve unsafe driving behaviors and document accidents using video and audio recordings, combined with sophisticated analysis software, event review and driver coaching services.


Ortivus North America
3:30-4:00pm

How to improve fleet efficiency with GPS/AVL (automatic vehicle location)
Presenter: Dan Voss, Product Manager


 Presented material will include the general advantages of incorporating GPS/AVL technology into your organization. The methodology for incorporating this functionality for every vehicle in your organization . Supporting outcome will be presented in case studies from current users of this vehicle tracking technology. And finally Options to meet varying needs of Public Safety and Emergency Medical Services that are available from Ortivus North America.

There is no additional cost to attend the these workshops, it is included in your registration fee.

Register TODAY!

 


New Exhibit Hall Hours for Trade Show at Annual Convention in Las Vegas

Please note the below changes to your convention brochure regarding the hours that the exhibit hall will be open.

Wednesday, November 30;
10:00am-1:30pm
7-9pm Opening Reception

Thursday, December 1;
1:30-5:00pm

Friday, December 2;
10:00am-12:00pm

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