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Welcome to the Medicare Modernization Update Web site. On December 8, 2003, President George W. Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-173). This landmark legislation provides seniors and individuals with disabilities with a prescription drug benefit, more choices, and better benefits under Medicare. CMS has created this Update to provide the public and other interested parties with up-to-date information on CMS’ efforts to implement the new legislation. This update will be published monthly. It will contain information on what CMS accomplished in the past month as well as major activities scheduled for the coming month, such as key implementation dates and regulations being published.
What's New? 9/30/04: Section 731-Improvements in National and Local Determination Process to Respond to Changes in Technology CMS hosted a workshop to support the development of guidance documents and to ensure that CMS is appropriately engaging interested stakeholders early in this process. This workshop served to open up a discussion on the various factors that need to be incorporated into useful coverage guidance. An open comment and question period followed from both the panel and from CMS leadership. 9/30/04: CMS Special Open Door Forum on Coordination of Benefits Part D under MMA On September 30th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hosted a Special Open Door Forum to discuss the coordination of benefits requirements between Part D prescription drug plans and other payers as outlined in the MMA. 9/24/04: Section 731-Procedure for Producing Guidance Documents Describing Medicare's Coverage Process (CMS-3141-N) CMS published a notice (CMS-3141-N), which describes the factors considered in making national coverage determinations of whether an item or service is reasonable and necessary. 9/24/04: Section 935-Recovery of Overpayments CMS issued manual instructions (CR 3441) that describe the rights of a provider when under audit by a Medicare contractor, including the right to written notice, review and explanation of the audit, and appeal rights. MMA provision 935 requires the Secretary to establish a standard methodology for Medicare contractors to use when selecting a probe sample of claims for review in the presence of an aberrant billing pattern. 9/22/04: Section 417-Extension of Telemedicine Demonstration Project CMS awarded an evaluation contract that extends the current telemedicine demonstration project by 4 additional years, and authorizes an additional $30 million in funding. 9/16/04: Section 303-Average Sale Price Data for Part B Drugs CMS published a final rule (CMS-1380-F), which requires manufacturers to submit average sale price data on Medicare Part B drugs. 9/14/04: Special Open Door Forum: Quality and the Medicare Modernization Act CMS hosted an Open Door Forum on Quality and the Medicare Modernization Act. CMS requested broad input regarding the development of the quality-based provisions of the proposed MMA regulations in to ensure quality within the new benefits. 9/10/04: Section 921-Provider Education and Technical Assistance CMS issued manual instructions (CR 3376), which requires Medicare contractors to take into consideration the special needs of small providers when conducting education and training activities. MMA section 921 directs the Secretary to coordinate the education activities provided through Medicare contractors to maximize the effectiveness of Federal education efforts for providers. *Use this link to go to our Provisions page to view implemented items previously listed here. *Use this link to go to our Table of Contents for the Summary of the Provisions of Public Law 108-173. What to Expect
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Last Modified on Thursday, October 14, 2004
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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