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The New England region of NHIC, Corp. (NHIC) is the Medicare Part B Contractor, under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the states of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Under the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A), CMS requires NHIC to assure the appropriate payment of medically necessary services provided within its four-state region. NHIC develops Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) for services that are not otherwise addressed by national Medicare coverage requirements. NHIC’s LCDs are intended to describe the specific criteria that determine whether an item or service is covered. LCDs define the clinical circumstances under which NHIC considers the item or service to be reasonable, necessary, and appropriate. LCDs are developed by teams of clinical specialists. NHIC encourages public input on its draft LCDs. The public may make comments by e-mail, facsimile, or mail. Specific instructions for public input are described below. LCDs are developed with input from the provider community. Medicare Contractors may seek valuable clinical input through consultation with clinical experts. NHIC first presents its draft LCDs at the meetings of the ”Contractor Advisory Committee” (CAC). Under the auspices of NHIC’s Medical Director, the CAC is composed of representatives from many physician specialties, the laboratory community, beneficiaries, Medicaid and other state organizations. NHIC’s NE CAC meets three times per year. Deadline for Comment on Draft LCDs Draft LCDs are posted for a 45-day comment period, for each respective policy. NHIC can accept comments on the draft LCDs only during the official 45-day “notice and comment” time period. The 45-day time period begins on the day of the CAC Meeting. How to Submit Comments on Draft LCDs Submit comments via electronic mail Clicking on the hyperlink in the LCD Draft (on the CMS Web site), located under the Draft Contact Section, will bring you to an email screen. Please enter your comments and send your e-mail to craig.haug@eds.com . Please be sure to reference the Policy Description or Policy Number in the Subject line of your e-mail. The following information is also needed: your name, title, professional or corporate affiliation, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number. Submit comments by mail or facsimile Craig Haug, M.D. Comments must be postmarked or faxed by the end of the 45-day time period. 02/07/2008 |
