We have placed a replication of the DRAFT PM on our web site, www.pwwemslaw.com. It is posted on our "Medicare Fee Schedule Resource Page"

Some of the key points of the DRAFT PM:

• The implementation date would be January 1, 2002 
• Mandatory assignment would be effective for dates of service after January 1, 2002. After that date, if the claim is unassigned, the carriers are instructed to convert the claim to an assigned claim. 
• The phase in period is as previously proposed: 80/20 in the first year, 50/50 in the second year, etc. 
• Payment based on "condition of the patient" would be implemented immediately, regardless of whether mandated ALS is in place 
• Ambulance services that use multiple billing methods must use only one method 
• A new HCPCS code must be used for all ground mileage, effective January 1, 2002. To establish the reasonable charge portion of the blended rate during the transition, the carriers will use a simple average of the 2001 reasonable charges for HCPCS codes AO380 and AO390, adding the IIC increase. 
• Rural mileage will be paid as had been proposed previously 
• For cases where the only ALS service provided is an ALS assessment, there is a new proposed HCPCS Code Q3017. This code is to be used during the transition period only, after the transition ALS1-Emergency (AO427) is to be used. 
• Regarding the all important Conditions List, the Draft PM says that "HCFA" (they don't even use their new name!) will address the condition list in the publication of the final rule and a subsequent PM.

REMEMBER, this is only a DRAFT, and should not be relied on other than for information and discussion purposes. Happy Reading!