NJSIPT News - New Jersey Society of Independent Physical Therapists

S2072 Passed by NJ Senate Commerce Committee

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Today, February 2nd, 2009 Senate Bill 2072 was passed by a unanimous vote 4-0 by the New Jersey Senate Commerce Committee.

NJSIPT FALL RISK AWARENESS WEEK

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Contact: Ken Mailly

Phone: 866-657-8243

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9 A.M. EDT, January 2, 2009

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS PROVIDE FREE SCREENING for FALL RISK

A special program for NJ Seniors

Sea Girt, NJ, January 2, 2009:

Among senior citizens, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of non fatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. New Jersey Society of Independent Physical Therapists (NJSIPT) members will be scheduling free fall risk screening for seniors at over 50 locations throughout the state from Monday, January 26 through Saturday, January 31. Available locations and additional information can be obtained by visiting the NJSIPT website at www.NJSIPT.com.

In the United States, more than one-third of people 65 and older fall each year. Injuries sustained in a fall frequently and severely limit a person’s ability to live and function independently. Falls accounted for an estimated $19 billion in medical costs in 2001. Many seniors who are not injured in a fall will develop a fear of falling, which can lead to decreased activity and a greater risk of future falls.

“Helping to reduce the risk and fear of falling has become a major public health concern. Reducing that risk equates to helping maintain quality of life,” said Mark Schwall, PT, physical therapist and president of NJSIPT. The Society is a non-profit association of independent Physical Therapist private practice owners.

Schwall noted that many factors contribute to risk of falling in seniors. “Women are more likely to fall than men and the risk increases greatly with age.” He also noted that other factors include medication, vision, home environment and trip hazards, dementia, lack of activity as well as muscle weakness and balance problems.

Medicare News: PECOS

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MEDICARE PHYSICIANS AND NON-PHYSICIAN PRACTITIONERS

INTERNET-BASED MEDICARE ENROLLMENT IS AVAILABLE

in 15 STATES and the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

IT’S FAST, SECURE, and EASY

December 1, 2008

Now there’s a better way for physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll or make a change in their Medicare enrollment information. The Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) will allow physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll, make a change in their Medicare enrollment, view their Medicare enrollment information on file with Medicare, and check on the status of a Medicare enrollment application via the Internet.

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Internet-based PECOS is available to physicians and non-physician practitioners in District of Columbia and the following States:

              Delaware                                 Minnesota                               New Jersey

             Idaho                                       Missouri                                  North Carolina

Illinois                                     Nebraska                                 Pennsylvania

Iowa                                      Maryland                               Tennessee

Kansas                                     Michigan                                 Wisconsin

Physicians and non-physician practitioners in the District of Columbia and the States shown above who wish to access Internet-based PECOS may go to https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov.

Participation Status 2009 & Teleconference

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See the following from Highmark Medicare Services:

November 10, 2008

Announcement about Medicare Participation for Calendar Year 2009 for

New Jersey Providers

Open enrollment for Medicare Part B participation for 2009 takes

place November 14 through December 31, 2008.

You are receiving this year’s open enrollment information from

National Government Services; however, you will transition to

Highmark Medicare Services as your new Medicare Administrative

Contractor (MAC) on November 14, 2008. If you do not want to change

your status, no action is needed. If you want to change your

participation status for 2009, you will need to respond to Highmark

Medicare Services, not National Government Services. The address to

send your CMS-460 form after 11/14/08 is:

Highmark Medicare Services

Provider Enrollment Services

Attn: Open Enrollment - NJ

PO Box 890036

Camp Hill, PA 17089-0036

Ask-the-Contractor Teleconference - Tuesday November 11, 2008 9:30 AM

http://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/calendar/partb/teleconferences.htm

Join us for our next Ask the Contractor Teleconference (ACT). During this teleconference we will discuss the most current Medicare changes and allow you to interact directly with representatives from various departments within Highmark Medicare Services. (Click here for handouts) http://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/calendar/parta/pdf/tc-handouts-111108.pdf

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Medicare News: Medicare Participation Status

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Open enrollment for Medicare Part B participation for 2009 takes place November 14 through December 31, 2008. You will be receiving the open enrollment information from National Government Services; however, you will transition to Highmark Medicare Services as your new Medicare administrative contractor (MAC) on November 14. If you want to change your participation status for 2009, you will need to respond to Highmark Medicare Services, not National Government Services. Please forward your CMS-460 Participation Agreement to the following address as indicated on the CD-ROM.

Highmark Medicare Services
Provider Enrollment Services
P.O. Box 890036
Camp Hill, PA 17089-0036

Please note that if you send your agreement to National Government Services, we will NOT be able to process it.

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