ers in their jurisdictions. However, the CMS warned that it and its contractors “must weigh the cost and benefit of E&M reviews against reviews of more costly Part B services,” the report stated.
Texas Medical Board appearance?
Pending
When Unhappy Patients, Ad Problems or Competitor Accusations lead to a Texas Medical Board investigation, ISC hearing or SOAH trial, your choice of attorney could make the difference in your future.
Novitas to become Texas Medicare contractor
Beginning Nov. 19, Novitas Solutions Inc. will be the new Medicare adminis- trative contractor (MAC) for Texas. Novitas, formerly Highmark Medicare
Services Inc., won the contract for Medi- care’s new JH region over TrailBlazer Enterprises, the current MAC for Texas. Region JH includes Texas, New Mex-
ico, Colorado, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mis- sissippi, and Oklahoma. At the May 18 meeting of the Texas
Medical Association Council on Socio- economics, Novitas Vice President and JH Project Manager David B. Vaughn said Texas physicians would be the last in the region to transition to Novitas. TMA and the New Mexico and Colo-
rado medical associations supported an appeal by TrailBlazer contesting the awarding of the contract to Novitas, but that appeal was denied on March 1. TMA will watch the transition to the
new Medicare contractor carefully over the next several months. Earlier this year, TMA Payment Advocacy staff arranged for representatives of Novitas to visit the TMA offices to discuss the transition. Payment Advocacy staff will con-
tinue to have regular conversations with them to ensure a smooth tran- sition. Novitas has a dedicated sec- tion regarding the JH transition on its website at
www.novitas-solutions .com/transition/jh/
index.html. TMA also will offer transition guid-
ance as part of a Medicare seminar series this fall. n
Ken Ortolon is senior editor of Texas Medicine. You can reach him by telephone at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1392, or (512) 370-1392; by fax at (512) 370-1629; or by email at
ken.ortolon@texmed.org.
Lead Counsel Gaines West’s
experience and tenacity backed by his firm’s depth-of-staff and range of talent can put justice on your side.
Medical Litigation
www.westwebblaw.com
Polly Bowers Nurse Paralegal
Gaines West Lead Counsel
260 Addie Roy Rd., Suite 204 • Austin, TX 78746
1515 Emerald Plaza • College Station, TX 77845 Austin – 512.501.3617
Principal Office – 979.694.7000
Fewer No-Shows.
Medicaid’s transportation services are free and available to Texas Health Steps patients and most others who use Medicaid medical and dental benefits. The services include rides to the doctor or dentist when a patient has no other means of transportation.
That means fewer missed appointments, fewer no-shows, and healthier patients.
To reach the HHSC medical transportation help desk, call 1-877 MED-TRIP (1-877-633-8747).
Taking New Steps July 2012 TEXAS MEDICINE 31
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