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 NEMSIS
by Kelly Rothlisberger, Support Services
Do you know that there are new fields being added to Sweet-Billing
and Sweet-Field Data to meet the NEMSIS requirements? NEMSIS
is the National EMS Information System and is an effort to
standardize the collection of EMS data. Version 5.3 of Sweet-Billing
and Sweet-Field Data is scheduled to be released late this
spring and this version of the program has been certified Gold
compliant.
For specific details on this new version of the program and its
impact on you, our customers, please view the recorded webinar
available at www.ortivusna.com
behind the support login, in the section called “Recorded Webinars.”
Another great way to acclimate yourself to the changes arriving due
to NEMSIS is to attend a Sweet User Group! Version 5.3 of Sweet-Billing
will be previewed in Virginia Beach coming up April 11-13.
For more information on NEMSIS please visit
www.nemsis.org.
 THE
NEW CMS 1500 (08-05) FORM
by
Rich Winter, Support Services
By now, you have probably heard that the new CMS 1500 (version
08-05) may be currently accepted by most carriers. This paper form
replaces the CMS 1500 (version 12-90); most carriers will no longer
accept submitted claims beginning on April 2, 2007. Any claims
submitted on or after this date using the CMS 1500 (12/90) form may
be denied. Call the insurance carrier you intend to send your claims
to and verify that they will accept the new CMS 1500 (08-05).
The major changes between both versions of the CMS 1500 form is the
addition of the National Provider Identifier (NPI). Although it is
not mandatory to send the NPI on the new CMS 1500 form, it is highly
recommended to do so as soon as possible. The main reason is to make
sure the carrier you are sending your claims to have record of your
NPI to correspond to your legacy provider identification number.
Currently the new CMS 1500 form instruction set will send both your
legacy provider number and your NPI until May 23, 2007. After this
date, the new CMS 1500 instruction set will no longer print the
legacy provider number for all Medicare, all Insurance and most
Medicaid carriers.
The new CMS 1500 (08/05) instruction sets are now available in the
Industry Service Pack (ISP) which can be downloaded in the Support section of our web
site. Please watch the
recorded class explaining the differences between the old and new
1500 forms and how to start using them. This recorded class also
shows you how to download the ISP off our web site and install it.
To go directly to the class, please click on this link: Using the
New CMS 1500 (08/05) Form.
Once you have replaced you old CMS 1500 instruction sets with the
new CMS 1500 instruction sets, it is ready to use and you will not
need to make any modifications to the CMS 1500 instruction set. The
new CMS 1500 form has been programmed to the same specifications as
the as the old CMS 1500 form.
Please note that if your old CMS 1500 form instruction set has been
modified and renamed, this update will not change it to the new CMS
1500 form instruction set.
If you have any questions, please call our Support Department at
563-387-9338.
 SWEET PRODUCTS Q&A
by Chris Hackley - Support Services
Q: Why am I required to send specific documentation to Support
when seeking assistance to change passwords?
A: This is a security measure to ensure that only the
appropriate personnel have access to your system for the protection
of your company. Ortivus will also keep this information on file for
future reference, if needed, at your request.
Q: Does the NPI
number take the place of all those provider numbers we have in our
files and if so, how do we know that all these carriers are going to
recognize this new NPI number in lieu of the provider number we have
on file for them? Do we need to do away with the old provider
numbers or just leave them all in place as they are and use both the
NPI and the carrier's unique provider numbers?
A: The NPI is intended to replace all of those Legacy
Provider Numbers that we all have in our systems.
Recently, the CMS announced the selection of Fox Systems, Inc. as
the contractor, to be called the Enumerator, to perform the support
operations for the NPI project.
Fox Systems, Inc. will process NPI applications from health care
providers and operate a help desk to assist health care providers in
obtaining their NPIs.
As part of that application process, the enumerator asked the
provider to give them all of their Legacy Provider Numbers. The
purpose of that was so that the enumerator could advise those
carriers of the NPI Number that is associated with their Legacy
Provider Number.
One item that providers can do now to help improve the likelihood
that all goes well, is to get the new 1500 forms and start using
them ASAP. This reasoning is because between now and May 23, 2007,
both the Legacy Provider Number and the NPI will print on that Form.
This would give the carriers another opportunity to see both, and
get their systems updated.
The Forms are all designed to send both the Legacy Provider Number
and the NPI Number up until May 23, 2007. On and after that date,
they will print the NPI only. Therefore, no, it is not necessary to
remove them from your system. The forms and ECM Instruction Sets
will simply ignore them after May 23, 2007.
Additionally, the Federal Tax ID will still print on the forms, and
be sent in the Electronic Claim Files after May 23, 2007. Many of
the commercial carriers are still paying based on that Federal Tax
ID.
While they are
supposed to be changing to the NPI as well, they will continue to
see both the Federal Tax ID and the NPI, so commercial carriers
should have what they need to get their records in order as well.
WHY ARCHIVE?
by Paul D. Rochon, Project Manager
Please Note: This information applies to Public Safety CAD
customers only
The more stuff you have on your computer, the slower it gets.
Database server machines are typically sized to support a tremendous
load, and so are frequently equipped with huge hard disks. It takes
a while, but over time, the database server machine can also get
bogged down with too much data. Only a regular schedule of data
archiving and purging can ensure that your database server machine
can function at its best.
What types of data are most likely to accumulate the fastest? Your
database includes a “BROKERLOG” table which serves as a log file of
all “Broker” broadcasts. The message Broker on each machine is used
to ensure that the machine is synchronized. Each Broker broadcast is
numbered and appended to the BROKERLOG; when a Broker receives a
broadcast out of sequence, it consults the database to retrieve the
missing message(s). Broker logs are 1) plenty and 2) time-sensitive.
Your database server should be configured with a “job” called
“BrokerLogCleanup” scheduled to run at least daily (if not hourly)
to purge outdated Broker broadcasts. Confirm the functioning of this
job with your database administrator, else, contact Ortivus.
Your system can be configured to store every vehicle position report
in the database. Depending on the number of vehicles and their
position-reporting cadence, this table of vehicle-positions can grow
leaps and bounds in a small time. If your system works today, it’s
most likely because the administrator has already established an
archiving regimen for vehicle-position reports. It is best to
confirm this with your system administrator.
The third mostly likely source of database congestion is NCIC (US)
and CPIC (Canada) inquiries. For those law enforcement agencies that
use NCIC/CPIC, the FBI/RCMP requires that all inquiries and
responses be kept on file a minimum time for investigative purposes.
Depending on the number of inquiries, the NCIC/CPIC related tables
can grow substantially, and can also lead to database congestion.
Consult your database administrator to determine the space occupied
by NCIC/CPIC related inquiries and responses.
ORTIVUS CLOSELY MONITORS CUSTOMER
FEEDBACK
OFFERS INCENTIVE FOR CUSTOMER FEEDBACK SUBMISSION
Congratulations Morristown Hamblem E.M.S. (Morristown, TN),
the January 2007 Winner of the Customer Experience Survey Drawing.
They received the Ultimate Office Party gift basket from Wine
Country Gift Baskets as part of an incentive program offered to
Ortivus customers who fill out the short five-question survey upon
support renewal.
Achieving the best customer service
has always been a fundamental business objective for Ortivus, and at
the foundation of this objective is diligent attention to
customer feedback. Ortivus continually searches for concepts and
tactics to further improve upon its industry-claimed top customer
service rankings. Ortivus views their customers as business partners
- believing that the success of Ortivus customers will also result
in achieving Ortivus business goals. Some of the support services
offered to Ortivus Support Maintenance Contract customers include:
- Flexible access (whether via
phone or email/instant chat) to the Ortivus Support Team
- Software updates and industry
service packs
- Priority status over non-support
customers
- Ortivus University discounts and
privileges
- Access to exclusive,
password-protected section of the Ortivus website, which
includes:
- Instant online live support chat
- Recorded Classes (demonstrations) of answers to your questions
(audio and visual)
- Knowledge Library – more in-depth articles on procedures and
troubleshooting
- State EDI Information – forms and updates for Medicare,
Medicaid and Commercial carriers
- Recorded Webinar Center – industry and software specific
presentations from industry experts on valuable topics, like
Condition Codes, Ambulance Fee, Enhancing Work Flow, Funding
Opportunities, Improving Cash Flow and Compliance, etc.
For more information on eligibility
for this drawing, contact
support@ortivusna.com.
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