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Learn about Noridian's Provider Portal, Endeavor

One of the frequently asked questions on the Medicare transition is whether or not Noridian has a product similar to Palmetto’s Online Provider Services (OPS) portal. Noridian does have a similar provider portal called Endeavor. Noridian is conducting web-based workshops on Endeavor. This Medicare Part A and B workshop will be conducted through a web-based training tool that requires an Internet connection. The training will last approximately one hour, including time for questions. Physicians interested in Endeavor are encouraged to attend one of the following workshops: Aug. ...

Resources to assist physicians with the Medicare contractor transition

Goal:  Provide members with information and resources to prepare their practices for the transition of Medicare contractors from Palmetto to Noridian on September 16 (Part B). Current CMA Resources 1. CMA’s Medicare Transition webpage – CMA has created a dedicated Medicare transition webpage, www.cmanet.org/medicare-transition, offering practices the ability to access updates and important information regarding the transition in one easy-to-access to location. All resources related to the Medicare transition will be accessible through this site. 2. CMA’s Medicare Transition Guide: What physicians need to know – This guide, which members can download free ...

Medicare locality reform ("The California GPCI Fix") clears House Congressional Committee as part of the Medicare SGR overhaul legislation

On July 31, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously to approve a BIPARTISAN Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) overhaul legislation, H.R. 2810.  Included in the bill is the CMA-sponsored California Medicare locality reform known as the “California GPCI Fix.”  The California locality provision is a compromise between Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ranking Democrat Henry Waxman (D-CA) who insisted the California update be part of the committee bill.  It is based on legislation by Congressman Sam Farr (D-Santa Cruz/Monterey) and Darrell Issa (R-San Diego) who are ...

CMA urges CMS to postpone changes to QIO program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently called for public comments on how it can best organize the national cadre of Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) contractors. The mission of the QIO program is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, economy and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. Currently, CMS contracts with one organization in each state to serve as that state's QIO contractor. QIOs are private, mostly not-for-profit organizations, staffed by physicians and other health care professionals who are trained to review medical care, help beneficiaries with ...

House committee releases bipartisan Medicare SGR reform bill

Three congressional committees have been hard at work over the past few months on legislation that would eliminate the desperately broken Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula that is used to determine physician payment rates. On Friday, the health subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee's health subcommittee released its bill to repeal the SGR. One Tuesday the bill was approved by the subcommittee and now heads to the full committee for consideration. The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have ...

CMA publishes Medicare quality reporting guide

The Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) is a reporting program that uses a combination of incentive payments and payment reductions to promote reporting of quality information by eligible professionals. Up until now, this program has been voluntary and physicians have received bonuses for participating. That's about to change. Failure to participate now means physicians could face significant penalties in 2015 and beyond. Find out more in CMA's new guide, "Getting Started with the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting System." The guide is avaialble to members only. Contact: CMA's reimbursement help line, (888) ...

Medicare Transition Update: Noridian adds additional Meet and Greet Workshops

At the request of the California Medical Association (CMA) and other organizations in California, Noridian has added seven additional Meet and Greet Workshops throughout the state. Transition of the Medicare Administrative Contract from Palmetto GBA to Noridian is scheduled for September 16, 2013 (Part B). Following is the list of locations in California: July 9-11 ...

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! New Medicare transition webpage available

As the California Medical Association (CMA) has previously reported, administration of the Medicare contract will change to Noridian Healthcare Solutions effective September 16, 2013 (Part B). In response to this important change, CMA has created a dedicated Medicare transition webpage, www.cmanet.org/medicare-transition, offering practices the ability to access the most recent updates and important information regarding the transition in one easy-to-access to location.

Update your NPI information before the Medicare transition to Noridian

According to a new report by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General, 58 percent of the databases used to determine provider identities and help to prevent the occurrence of fraud are inaccurate or incomplete. The National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), which houses National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers, is not always consistent with information in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS). The national revalidation effort by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a big step in improving ...

Noridian Transition Date Set

Transition of the Medicare Administrative Contract from Palmetto GBA to Noridian is scheduled for September 16, 2013 (Part B). To help physicians understand what is changing, Noridian is offering a series of Implementation 101 and EDI Support Services web-based workshops. Noridian is also holding in person “Meet and Greet” workshops at the following locations: June 11-13 Doubletree by Hilton Sacramento 2001 Point West Way Sacramento, CA 95815 June 18-20  Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport South 250 Gateway Boulevard South San Francisco, CA 94080 July 9-11  Embassy Suites Anaheim South 11767 Harbor Boulevard Garden Grove, CA ...