The KZA-List

We've got the links to all the CMS, OIG, and HHS guidelines you need to know.  You'll also find connections to an online UPIN databases and other coding resources here.

UPINs Online
Frustrated that you can't find a physician UPIN number? Let your mouse do the clicking with this online directory.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Information from Medicare.

Medicare Contractor Web Sites
Looking for your Medicare contractor (fiscal intermediary) on the web?  Click here for a comprehensive list that shows which insurance companies manage Medicare programs in each state, as well as a link to each insurer's website.  Most states are listed.

CMS's E&M Guidelines
Download CMS's E&M guidelines (released June 2000), expected to go into effect in early 2002. CMS's advice is to continue to use the current 1995 or 1997 E&M guidelines until the new rules are released. The above page includes a helpful downloadable comparison grid, that illustrates the differences between the 1995, 1997, and 2000 guidelines.

Local Medical Review Policies
The Web site  (www.lmrp.net) is no longer available for viewing LMRPs. Faster, easier searches for LMRPs, NCDs, NCAs, and Coverage/Coding articles are now directly accessible from CMS. If you are a frequent user, you may want to bookmark the following URL to reach the new Medicare Coverage Database: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd

Dept of Health and Human Services Official Compliance Guidelines for Small Practices 
The department of Health and Human Services released its compliance guidelines for small practices on September 25, 2000. Find out how these guidelines will affect you, and use them as you implement a compliance plan in your practice.

OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
As part of your practice's compliance plan, screen prospective staff and physicians to guard against hiring individuals excluded from the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Keep up to date with the OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). This link contains the most current downloadable list. 

Medicare Learning Network
Download or order computer-based learning products from Medicare. The site also has a sign up for informative e-newsletters from Medicare.

Medicare Part B News
The online presence of this useful newsletter.

These links provide information that educates or prepares practices for HIPAA compliance requirements. Remember, you must file a Transactions Rule extension by October 16, 2002 if the clearinghouse you use will not be compliant. (You then have until October 16, 2003 to comply.) And get going on privacy guidelines. You will be required to be compliant with this rule on April 14, 2003.

HIPAA's Transactions and Code Sets Standards Model Compliance Plan. Physician practices that will not be compliant with HIPAA's Transactions and Code Sets Standards by October 16, 2002 are required to complete and submit a compliance plan.

Department of Health and Human Services HIPAA Regulations
Straight from the source: these are the official HIPAA regulations for all three rules: Privacy, Transactions, and Security. They include all clarifications and guidance and are updated regularly with what's new and new documents.

WEDI-Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange
This work group provided recommendations to the government when it was creating HIPAA regulations. The SNIP section of the site offers downloads such as a draft of a small practice implementation plan. Other White Papers and resources on the site are very helpful.

Are you a covered HIPAA entity? 
Review these flowcharts and find out. 

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Great resources for HIPAA, a practical e-newsletter, and a sample Privacy Officer job description.

HIMSS-Healthcare Information and Management System Society
This is the biggest IT trade association in healthcare. While not all information provided is relevant to physician practices, HIMSS does offer a breadth of HIPAA information, tools, and online seminars.

American Healthcare Informatics Association
Check out this organization's HIPAA section. There is also a downloadable job description for a Privacy Officer.

Protection Security Shutters
This company makes custom-fit shutters for paper medical records. Doors that roll up and out of sight during the day and are locked at night.

White papers about issues of interest to physicians and those who manage them.

Medem's Guidelines for Online Physician-Patient Communication
Medem offers a comprehensive guide to proper implementation online communication with patients, and provides sample policies and other tools.

AMIA White Paper on Physician-Patient Email
The American Medical Informatics Association is a consortium of physicians, other providers, and healthcare executives. This White Paper outlines step-by-step guidelines for emailing patients.

Powell, Goldstein, Frazer, and Murphy
The law firm of Power, Goldstein, Frazer, and Murphy has a healthcare practice that specializes in Medicare, Medicaid, and third party reimbursement, Medicare fraud and abuse, and other areas of interest to physicians. Contact attorney Rob Falk for more information.

Medical Group Management Association
A leading association for administrators, practice managers, and office managers, MGMA offers practice management products, research data, and educational opportunities through both its national and state affiliations.

Professional Association of Healthcare Office Managers
PAHCOM is a nationwide organization that provides a strong professional network for health care office managers. PAHCOM helps members become more effective in their job position, enhance productivity and efficiency through increased knowledge of basic health care management principles, and connect with other managers nationwide.

Healthcare Financial Management Association
HFMA is the nation's leading personal membership organization for more than 33,000 financial management professionals in healthcare. Through its chapters, regions, and National office, HFMA helps members meet challenges by providing professional development opportunities, networking and communicating information and technical data. 

Association of Otolaryngology Administrators
Continue your professional education, access timely information about ENT, and meet colleagues in your specialty across the country. If you aren't a member of AOA, find out the advantages of joining. Go to the AOA Web site to request a membership package, or access otolaryngology-specific practice management and coding tips.

Society for Otorhinolaryngology Nurses
A national organization of progressive, career-oriented nurses dedicated to professional nursing standards and certification in Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) and Head-Neck Nursing. SOHN provides opportunities for professional interaction, education and growth. The organization was chartered with 47 nurses in 1976 and has grown to a membership of over 1,100 nurses.

Department of Labor-Fair Labor Standards Act
If you are looking for clarification about which employees are entitled to overtime pay, these federal guidelines can help.

Equifax Online Credit Checks
If you extend credit to patients who are paying their bill over time, wouldn't you like to know if they have a history of bad credit--or if they have outstanding balances with five other physicians in town? For a reasonable fee, Equifax offers this service online, with real-time results. 

Glossary of E-Health Terms
Do you know the difference between an ASP and a PMS? Wondering exactly how a digital certificate differs from a digital signature? Unravel the mystery with this excellent glossary of e-health and other technology terms.