The Medicare Monthly Review, MMR-2011-01, January 2011 - CGS

To review examples of scenarios that further clarify the travel allowances you may go tohttp://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM6195.pdf on the CMS Web site and read theAdditional Information section of MM6195.News Flash - It’s a Busy Time of Year. Make each office visit an opportunity to talk with your patientsabout the importance of getting the seasonal flu vaccination and a one-time pneumococcal vaccination.Remember, Medicare pays for these vaccinations for all beneficiaries with no copay or deductible. Theseasonal flu and invasive pneumococcal disease kill thousands of people in the United States each year,most of them 65 years of age or older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alsorecommends that health care workers and caregivers be vaccinated against the seasonal flu. Protect yourpatients. Protect your family. Protect yourself. Get Your Flu Vaccine - Not the Flu.Remember – Influenza vaccine plus its administration are covered Part B benefits. Note that influenzavaccine is NOT a Part D covered drug. For information about Medicare’s coverage of the influenzavaccine and its administration, as well as related educational resources for health care professionals andtheir staff, please visit http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/Downloads/Flu_Products.pdf andhttp://www.cms.gov/AdultImmunizations on the CMS Web site.DisclaimerThis article was prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to grant rights or impose obligations. This article may contain references or links tostatutes, regulations, or other policy materials. The information provided is only intended to be a general summary. It is not intended to take the place of eitherthe written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statementof their contents. CPT only copyright 2009 American Medical Association.2010–2011 Seasonal Influenza Resources for Health CareProfessionalsMLN Matters Number: SE1031 RevisedRelated Change Request (CR) #: N/ARelated CR Release Date: N/AEffective Date: N/ARelated CR Transmittal #: N/AImplementation Date: N/ANote: This article was revised on November 29, 2010, to include a reference to MLN Matters articleMM7234, “New HCPCS Q-codes for 2010-2011 Seasonal Influenza Vaccines.” All other information is thesame.Provider Types AffectedAll Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) physicians, nonphysician practitioners, providers, suppliers, and otherhealth care professionals who order, refer, or provide seasonal flu vaccines and vaccine administrationprovided to Medicare beneficiariesProvider Action Needed• Keep this MLN Matters Special Edition article and refer to it throughout the 2010–2011 flu season.• Take advantage of each office visit as an opportunity to encourage your patients to protectthemselves from the seasonal flu and serious complications by getting a seasonal flu shot.• Continue to provide the seasonal flu shot as long as you have vaccine available, even after the newyear.• Don’t forget to immunize yourself and your staff.CPT codes and descriptors are only copyright 2010 American Medical Association (or such other date publication of CPT)The Medicare Monthly Review 66 MMR 2011-01, January 2011