Physician Office Tools

Provider Diabetes Information

Health care providers and their staff can learn more about Medicare’s coverage of diabetes screening tests, supplies and other services for beneficiaries with diabetes, including coding, billing, and reimbursement details, by referring to the following provider education resources:

Updated Preventive Services brochures

The following CMS preventive services brochures for health care professionals have been updated and are now available in print and PDF format: Expanded Benefits, Diabetes-Related Services, Cancer Screenings, Adult Immunizations, Bone Mass Measurements, Glaucoma Screenings and Smoking and Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling Services.

Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has reorganized the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Web site to facilitate access and navigation to 2008 PQRI information and educational resources, including a 2008 PQRI Tool Kit. Key documents related to 2008 measure specifications have been retained and placed as downloadable documents within their corresponding sections. In addition, new documents that further inform eligible providers about 2008 PQRI have been added. Eligible professionals who successfully report specified measures earn a payment bonus, subject to a cap.

CMS is making it easier for eligible professionals to participate and receive feedback on their performance.

For 2008, in addition to submitting PQRI measure data as part of their Medicare claims submissions, eligible professionals may report data on quality measures to a medical registry, and these registries will then report that data to CMS.

In addition to providing new flexibility for submitting data, registry-based reporting will provide more ways for eligible professionals to qualify for an incentive payment. Participating eligible professionals can choose to report data on either individual measures or on groups of measures that capture a number of data elements about common care processes for diabetes, kidney disease, and preventive medicine.

Another change under the enhanced PQRI program for 2008: new PQRI reporting periods for eligible professionals who report using measures groups. Participants may now start reporting in July 2008 and still be eligible to earn an incentive payment for the 2008 PQRI program. Click here for more information.

National Provider Identifier (NPI)

Do you have your NPI? If you are a health care provider who bills for services, you probably need an NPI. If you bill Medicare for services, you definitely need an NPI!

National ePrescribing Patient Safety Initiative
A coalition of technology companies and health care groups has developed a new Internet site that allows physicians to prescribe medications electronically, free of charge. Nearly all U.S. pharmacies have signed up to participate.

DOQ-IT University

CMS and Masspro, the Massachusetts QIO, have created DOQ-IT University – an interactive, Web-based learning management system, featuring high-caliber learning tools to accelerate the adoption and application of Health Information Technology (HIT). To access DOQ-IT University, please read the DOQ-IT University Physician Reference Card.

Don't Start: Growing Evidence Against Anticholinergic Drug Use in the Elderly
Free CME-Accredited Program
Patricia W. Slattum, PharmD, PhD, CGP
Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Program, Virginia Commonwealth University

"Welcome to Medicare" Physical Exam

The one-time "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam includes a thorough review of the patient's health, education and counseling about certain screenings and shots, and referrals for other care.

Medicare Preventive Services Quick Reference Information Chart

A new Medicare Preventive Services Quick Reference Information chart on the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) is now available from the CMS Medicare Learning Network (MLN). "The ABCs of Providing the Initial Preventive Physical Examination" (also known as the "Welcome to Medicare" Physical Exam or the "Welcome to Medicare" Visit) can be used by Medicare fee-for-service physicians and qualified non-physician practitioners as a guide when providing the IPPE.

How to Conduct a "Welcome to Medicare" Visit

For physicians, from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

Become a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
Type 2 Diabetes and A1c (English and Spanish)

GMCF Free Diabetes Materials

Healthy Roads Media: Diabetes Information

"Why Flu Vaccination Matters" video

GMCF Free Adult Immunization Materials

CMS 2007-2008 Influenza Education Products and Resources