Welcome to the Winter issue of "Compass," Welcome to the winter issue of Compass, the Billing Compliance newsletter. This newsletter periodically informs clinical faculty, house staff, and other University personnel about current issues related to professional fee billing. Billing Assistance Available The Office for Billing Compliance is available for education, guidance, clarification, and assistance on billing practices. The office provides instructions in documentation standards and guidance in billing policies and procedures. Please feel free to share your thoughts or concerns with me or with any member of the compliance staff. We can be reached at 305-3842. Billing Compliance Hotline 305-7739 (7-7739) Sincerely, Robert M. Lewy, M.D. Senior Associate Dean for Academic Appointments and Regulatory Compliance

Contents "Care Plan Oversight" Procedure Codes Change in 2001 and Certification of Services Becomes Payable Black Box Edits Eliminated Advanced Benficiary Notices Conditions for Collection of Full Fee HCFA Sponsors Medicare Learning Network Medicaid Increases Payment Health Maintenance Organizations and Medicare 2001 Medicare Part B Update Medicare Coverage for Preventive Medicine Measures New E&M Guidelines Expected in 2002 Patient History - When to Revise? Progressive Corrective Actions Letters of Audit The 2001 Office of the Inspector General's Work Plan Toll Free Medicare Part B Automated Response Unit Phone Number Web-based Education Program Columbia University Billing Compliance Hotline Columbia University, Health Science Billing Compliance Web Site