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In brief: CMS sets April 29 deadline for Form C, VA picks Golden Technologies

In brief: CMS sets April 29 deadline for Form C, VA picks Golden Technologies

BALTIMORE - CMS has pushed back the deadline for submitting a form that details what items contract suppliers have provided to beneficiaries in the first quarter as part of competitive bidding. CMS planned to require contract suppliers to submit Form C within 10 days of March 31. But in a bulletin posted March 21 to www.dmecompetitivebid.com, CMS stated: "CMS is not requiring submission of the form within the 10-day requirement. Therefore, suppliers must submit their Form C no later than April 29, 2011." CMS reiterated that Form C and detailed instructions are posted to www.dmecompetitivebid.com and that the form would be available for printing on April 1. In Form C, contract suppliers are responsible for providing the model, manufacturer and model number for the top 80% HCPCS codes in the product category. To read the bulletin, go here.

VA picks Golden Technologies

OLD FORGE, Pa. - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded an exclusive contract to Golden Technologies to provide three categories of scooters to veterans nationwide, the manufacturer announced in a March 21 press release. Per the contract, Golden will provide its Companion series of scooters for the following categories: mid-size three wheel, full-size three wheel and full-size four wheel. The contract can be extended for five years and is worth a total of $65 million. Previously, Golden had a contract with the VA in 2003 that was extended through 2010.

Still no start date for PECOS edits

BALTIMORE - CMS has not determined when it will begin to apply edits to claims from ordering/referring providers who do not have a record in PECOS. The OIG, in its " Compendium of Unimplemented Recommendations," released earlier this month, stated that it would begin implementing edits on July 5, 2011.

Register now for PAOC meeting

BALTIMORE - Registration for the April 5 meeting of the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC) is now open. The daylong meeting will include a Round 1 update, a discussion of the Round 2 timeline and product categories, and a discussion of mail order diabetes supplies. Deadline for registration is 5 p.m. EST on April 1. Register here.

CMS plans upgrades to complaint process

WASHINGTON - CMS has resolved the majority of complaints and inquiries received through its 1-800-HHS-TIPS hotline, says the Office of Inspector General (OIG). Only 12% remain unresolved after one year. The OIG recommends that: "CMS (1) issue written guidance to its own staff and contractor staff for processing hotline complaints and (2) upgrade its information system for processing complaints." CMS is revising its national contractor list to include contact names and number, and upgrading its database to track user activity, contractor assignment and complaint status.

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