**Updated August 26, 2009- 

Did you miss the Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response on August 20? You can still listen to the exchange using the Encore feature – Dial 800-642-1687, conference identification is H1N1. Also – you can continue to send questions and comment to H1N1.listening@hhs.gov

While questions cannot be answered individually, these questions will help shape the content and subject matter of the next call, scheduled for September 14.

**Updated August 24, 2009- The proposed agenda for the August 27, 2009 SNF/LTC Open Door Forum at 2pm-3pmET is as follows: SNF PPS and MDS 2.0 Coding & Survey Process. This agenda is subject to change. If you wish to participate, dial 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 22154539. Please see the Downloads section below for the full participation announcement. Thank you for your continued interest in the CMS Open Door Forums.

**Updated August 20, 2009- Special Open Door Forum: Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference - Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from 2-3pmET. This call is Conference Call Only. If you wish to participate, dial 1-800-837-1935 & reference conference ID: 23044340. Please see the Downloads section below for the full participation announcement. Thank you for your continued interest in the CMS Open Door Forums

**Updated August 18, 2009- Added DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming In October 2009 document in the Downloads section below. This document covers: what you need to do if you are in the process of being accredited or obtaining a surety bond and what you need to do if you are not going to be accredited or get a surety bond.

**Updated August 14, 2009 - Information Exchange with HHS on H1N1 Healthcare System Preparedness and Response
Call: 1-800-837-1935; Conference ID: H1N1
Date: August 20, 2009
Time: 1:30 -3:00 pm, Eastern DS Time

I. Opening Remarks --- Chair- Dr. Nicole Lurie, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Co-Chairs – CAPT Clare Helminiak, Dr. Sally Phillips, and RADM Ann Knebel
Moderator – Susie Butler, CMS Office of External Affairs

II. Agenda:
The purpose of the dialogue is to engage the provider community in a discussion of H1N1 preparedness and response issues. High priority will be put on a discussion of the value and contribution of the primary care provider networks. We will discuss strategies for:
• reducing the burden on emergency departments
• early identification and intervention with high risk patients
• work force protection

In addition we will discuss emerging issues on the healthcare system surge capacity, critical care planning and home health care preparedness and planning issues as of interest to the participants.

III. Open Q&A
Submit questions and innovative solutions now at: H1N1.listening@hhs.gov

We'd like to hear from you:
• What are your plans to protect high risk patients from H1N1 infection in your clinics/professional settings?
• Have you initiated any early intervention strategies with high risk patients (e.g. home antivirals)?
• What strategies are you planning to prevent unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department?
• How are you addressing an anticipated increased patient volume?
• Could telehealth play a role in surge?
• Could call centers support hospital decompression?
• What can PCP do to help the hospitals and vice versa?

You can submit your thoughts ahead of time at H1N1.listening@hhs.gov or speak live on the call.

Please note – while we will address as many questions as possible, we know that we cannot answer each individual question. Submitting questions prior to the call will allow us to address as many questions as possible.

Mark your calendar! Another call is scheduled to share additional information and follow up on today's questions on September 14, 2009.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All callers, please dial: 1-800-837-1935 and use Conference ID H1N1.

Dial in at least 10 minutes prior to start of the call. Inform the operator of the conference title and conference ID number. To make conferencing adjustments from your phone, follow these key commands.

On a touchtone telephone keypad...
Press (*) & 0 to reach the Operator
Press (*) & 4 to equalize your volume
Press (*) & 6 to mute/unmute your line

To access the Encore feature: please dial (800) 642-1687 and enter Conference ID H1N1. This access will expire February 20, 2010.

**Updated August 6, 2009- Special Open Door Forum: Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference - How to Register to Access the Bidding System will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 from 2-3pmET. This call is Conference Call Only. If you wish to participate, dial 1-800-837-1935 & reference conference ID: 23038688. Please see the Downloads section below for the full participation announcement. Thank you for your continued interest in the CMS Open Door Forums.

**Updated July 24, 2009- The next Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 2-3pmET. If you wish to participate, dial 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 22154539. Please see the Downloads section below for the full participation announcement. Thank you for your continued interest in the CMS Open Door Forums.

******

Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum (ODF) Overview: 

The Skilled Nursing Facilities / Long-Term Care Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses the concerns and issues of both the Medicare SNF, the Medicaid NF, and the nursing home industry generally. The types of issues that come up during this forum are often related to the Minimum Data Set, SNF Consolidated Billing, the roles and responsibilities of different SNF, NF or LTC professional staff under CMS regulations, clarifications of issues that are covered during a survey and certification process, and the many rules and requirements under which different related services can be payable. Timely announcements and clarifications regarding important rulemaking, quality program initiatives, and other related areas are also included in the forums.

Downloads
Wednesday, September 2, 2009-Special Open Door Forum:  Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference- Learn the Rules to Submit a Bid Successfully  (24KB, PDF) Thursday, August 27, 2009- Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care (PDF, 26KB) Wednesday, August 19, 2009- Special Open Door Forum: Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Competitive Bidding Program Bidders' Conference - How to Register to Access the Bidding System (PDF, 24KB) DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation and Surety Bond Requirement Deadlines Coming In October, 2009 (24KB, PDF) Survey and Cert Letter 09-17 (PDF, 149 KB)  Carrier/FI Directory (PDF, 338KB) Spell of Illness Chart (PDF, 20KB) Quality Improvement Organization Program's 9th Scope of Work (PDF, 24KB)
Related Links Inside CMS
Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum Mailing List Sign-Up CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities Center Nursing Home Quality Initiatives Medicare Contracting Reform Overview Details for Post Acute Care Payment Reform Demonstration (PAC-PRD) DRA of 2005- Money Follows the Person Grants Nursing Home Action Plan Nursing Home Value Based Purchasing Demo Limitation of Liability & Related Beneficiary Notices Consolidated Billing Annual Update Files for Carriers and FI
Related Links Outside CMS
Government Printing Office Federal Register Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Product Ordering Page Medicare Quality Improvement Community Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification (STRIVE) Nursing Home Quality Campaign MDS Training QIES Technical Support Office

Page Last Modified: 08/26/2009 1:36:43 PM
Help with File Formats and Plug-Ins