2012 Workers' Compensation Guidelines for Detemining Permanent Impairment/Loss of Wage Earning Capacity

The WCB has developed the 2012 New York State Guidelines for Determining Permanent Impairment and Loss of Wage Earning Capacity for use by physicians and the Board in the evaluation of permanent disabilities. The 2012 Guidelines replace the existing 1996 Medical Impairment Guidelines. However, for claims that have already at least one medical opinion finding a permanent impairment with a rating based on the 1996 Guidelines on or before January 1, 2012, the Board will determine the claimant's degree of permanent disability using the 1996 Guidelines. Click here for 2012 Guidelines. The Board offers free web-based educational programs re 2012 Guidelines, for which Physicians may receive 1.25 CME credits. The traing program is available at http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/hcpp/ImpairmentGuidelines/Training.jsp .

Health Department Revises Update on Pertussis

On Tuesday night, January 24, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Cynthia B. Morrow, MD, MPH, presented another Update on Current Pertussis Activity to the Executive Council, our governing body.

Click here for complete report.

Revised Medicare Fee Schedule

The new Medicare Fee Schedule for January 1 to February 29, 2012 is up online. Click here to view or print. Please be sure to review your correct NYS payment locality.

Medicare Providers Must Begin To Revalidate Their Enrollment

All providers and suppliers who enrolled in the Medicare program before Friday, March 25, 2011, must revalidate their enrollment under new risk screening criteria required by the Affordable Care Act (section 6401a.) Those who enrolled after this time do not need to revalidate. Between now and March 2013 Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) will send notices to individuals; please begin the revalidation process as soon as you hear from your MAC, as you have only 60 days from the date of the letter to submit complete enrollment forms. Failure to submit the information could result in deactivation of your Medicare billing privileges. The easiest way to revalidate your enrollment is to use the PECOS (Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System) at https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov/pecos/login.do.

E-Prescribing Incentive Reminder

New York sate Pharmacy Regulations recognize two distinct types of electronically transmitted prescriptions: 1) a prescription transmitted electronically by facximile; 2) aprescription transmitted electronically by means other than facsimile; such non-facsimile prescriptions are required by regulation to be electronically encrypted, meaning protected to prevent access, alteration or use by any unauthorized person. Pharmacies must verify a prescription is compliant with Medicare Part D date standards and requirments and NYS Pharmacy Regulations before submitting for the e-prescribing incentive. The e-prescription must originate from the prescriber's computer system (an electronic health record, medical record, or stand-alone e-prescribing software) and must be transmitted to the retail pharmacy's computer system. More info.

DOH Website Lets Physicians Check for "Doctor Shopping."

The Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement of the DOH is advising physicians of a new database that allows them to check if a patient has received controlled substance prescriptions from two or more practitioners and filled them at two or more pharmacies in the previous calendar month. Physicians who already have an HPN account can use it to access the system. Instructions on how to operate the system are on the "Practitioners" page at https://commerce.health.state.ny.us/. If you do not have an HPN account, click here to create one. Physicians can also call the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement toll-free at 1-866-811-7957, option 4, for more information.