Attest to meaningful use, file Medicare Part B claims before Feb. 29 deadlines

posted 02.21.12

Physicians have until Feb. 29 to register and attest to meeting meaningful use requirements to receive payments for 2011 through the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Registration and Attestation System.

Feb. 29 is also the deadline to submit any pending Medicare Part B claims from 2011, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allows 60 days after Dec. 31, 2011, for all pending claims to be processed.

Medicare EHR incentive payments to eligible professionals are based on 75 percent of the Part B allowed charges for covered professional services during the entire payment year.

If you did not meet the $24,000 threshold in Part B allowed charges by the end of calendar year 2011, CMS expects to issue an incentive payment in April 2012 for 75 percent of the Part B charges from 2011.

Physicians needing help with the EHR incentive program should consider using the regional extension centers that received federal grants to subsidize their consulting rates for primary care physicians. Details about eligibility and contact information are available on the TMA website. Health information technology questions may be directed to TMA’s HIT Department by telephone at (800) 880-5720 or by e-mail at HIT@texmed.org.