$TXT Created by HOLLOWAY,THOMAS J at MNTVBB.FO-ALBANY.MED.VA.GOV (KIDS) on Friday, 12/19/03 at 15:33 ============================================================================= Run Date: JAN 13, 2004 Designation: IB*2*253 Package : IB - INTEGRATED BILLING Priority: EMERGENCY Version : 2 SEQ #223 Status: Released Compliance Date: JAN 15, 2004 ============================================================================= Subject: MEDICARE DEDUCTIBLE AND PENSION RATES - CY 2004 Category: - Routine Description: ============ The purpose of this patch is to assist sites in the entry of the Basic Pension Threshold rates and the Medicare Deductible value for calendar year 2004. These updates are required for accurate and legal billing. ASSOCIATED E3R(s): ================== N/A ASSOCIATED NOIS: ================ 1. ISP-1103-N0547 MEDICARE DEDUCTIBLE AND PENSION RATES - CY 2004 PARTICIPATING TEST SITES: ========================= Walla Walla,WA Little Rock,AR Tomah,WI El Paso,Tx Alexandria,LA White City,OR Bronx,NY NOIS OVERVIEW: ============== 1. ISP-1103-N0547 MEDICARE DEDUCTIBLE AND PENSION RATES - CY 2004 Problem: -------- Every year the government sets new values for the Medicare deductible and for the pension threshold rates. These values need to be updated in the associated billing files. For several years, the sites have been sent an informational patch to remind them to update the values manually. This can result in delays and mistyped entries. Resolution: ----------- This patch, for the 2004 rates, will once again automate the update of the Medicare and pension threshold values. A post-init routine is included in this patch which will install the new values. The Technical section below contains a list of the new rates which may also be found in VHA Directive 2003-069. If a site has already entered the values manually, the record will be overwritten with the national update. The new pension rates for Calendar Year (CY) 2004 (with an effective date of 12/1/03) are defined in VHA Directive 2003-069, dated December 15, 2003 as: * $ 9,894 for a single veteran without dependents * $ 12,959 for a veteran with 1 dependent * An additional $ 1,688 for each additional dependent beyond 1 dependent And the Medicare deductible rate effective 01/01/2004 is shown as: * The Medicare deductible: $ 876. ********Please Note******** Since the effective date of the Medicare Deductible was 1/1/2004 and this patch was not completed prior to that date, Means Test Billing Clocks that started this year prior to the installation of this patch may have last years deductible amount. TECHNICAL: ========== File #350.2 -- IB ACTION CHARGE is updated with a new record. The values are as follows: .01 KEY = "MEDICARE DEDUCTIBLE" .02 EFFECTIVE DATE = 3040101 (internal form for January 01, 2004) .03 IB TRANSACTION TYPE = pointer to "MEDICARE DEDUCTIBLE" in file #350.1 .04 UNIT CHARGE, FIXED = 876 ========== File #354.3 -- BILLING THRESHOLDS is updated with a new record. The values are as follows: .01 DATE = 3031201 (internal form for 12/01/2003) .02 TYPE = 1 (for BASIC PENSION) .03 BASE RATE FOR VETERAN = 9894 .04 BASE RATE WITH 1 DEPENDENT = 12959 .05 BASE RATE WITH 2 DEPENDENTS = 14647 .06 BASE RATE WITH 3 DEPENDENTS = 16335 .07 BASE RATE WITH 4 DEPENDENTS = 18023 .08 BASE RATE WITH 5 DEPENDENTS = 19711 .09 BASE RATE WITH 6 DEPENDENTS = 21399 .1 BASE RATE WITH 7 DEPENDENTS = 23087 .11 BASE RATE WITH 8 DEPENDENTS = 24775 .12 ADDITIONAL DEPENDENT AMOUNT = 1688 ROUTINE SUMMARY =============== The following is a list of the routines included in this patch. The second line of each of these routines now looks like: ;;2.0;INTEGRATED BILLING;**[PATCH LIST]**;21-MAR-94 CHECK^XTSUMBLD results Routine name Before Patch After Patch Patch List ============ ============ =========== =========== IB20E253 N/A 1645405 253 IB20P253 N/A 13948911 253 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ========================= This patch can be installed at any time. Users do not have to be off of the system. Installation time will be less than 1 minute. 1. Choose the PackMan message containing this patch and invoke the INSTALL/CHECK MESSAGE PackMan option. 2. Disable routine mapping on all systems for the routines listed in the routine summary. (DSM for open VMS sites only) NOTE: If the routines included in this patch are not currently in your mapped routine set, please skip this step. 3. Start up the Kernel Installation and Distribution System Menu [XPD MAIN]: Edits and Distribution ... Utilities ... Installation ... Select Kernel Installation & Distribution System Option: INStallation --- 1 Load a Distribution 2 Verify Checksums in Transport Global 3 Print Transport Global 4 Compare Transport Global to Current System 5 Backup a Transport Global 6 Install Package(s) Restart Install of Package(s) Unload a Distribution 4. From this menu, you may elect to use the following options (When prompted for the INSTALL NAME, enter IB*2.0*253): a. Backup a Transport Global - This option will create a backup message of any routines exported with this patch. It will not backup any other changes such as DD's or templates. b. Compare Transport Global to Current System - This option will allow you to view all changes that will be made when this patch is installed. It compares all components of this patch (routines, DD's, templates, etc.). c. Verify Checksums in Transport Global - This option will allow you to ensure the integrity of the routines that are in the transport global. 5. Use the Install Package(s) option and select the package IB*2.0*253. a. The installation routine will check the BILLING EXEMPTIONS file (#354.1) for medication co-payment exemptions based on prior thresholds. If there are some, the installer will be prompted to UPDATE AND PRINT the exemptions report since the exemption status may change due to the new rates. Press to accept the default value of Update & Print At the DEVICE prompt you must enter a print device. An entry is required and the HOME device is not allowed. You need not queue the report since the patch will do so automatically. b. When prompted 'Want KIDS to INHIBIT LOGONs during the install? YES//', answer NO. c. When prompted 'Want to DISABLE Scheduled Options, Menu Options, and Protocols? YES//' answer NO. 6. Optional - Include the routines distributed with this patch in the mapped routine set. (DSM for Open VMS sites only) NOTE: This step is only necessary if you performed step 2 or if you wish to include the routines in your mapped set. 7. Optional - You may delete the environment check and post-init routines IB20E253 and IB20P253 after installation has successfully completed. INSTALLATION EXAMPLE: --------------------- *** Please note that the Install Questions regarding the copay exemptions report will not appear if you do not have exemptions over a year old. *** Select INSTALL NAME: IB*2.0*253 Loaded from Distribution 12/17/03@19:59:15 => IB*2*253 This Distribution was loaded on Dec 17, 2003@19:59:15 with header of IB*2*253 It consisted of the following Install(s): IB*2.0*253 Checking Install for Package IB*2.0*253 Will first run the Environment Check Routine, IB20E253 Install Questions for IB*2.0*253 There are exemptions that were based on the threshold values over a year old. You can print a list of patients with old exemptions, or automatically update while printing the same list. This will take place in the post initialization process. Select Action: (P/U): Update & Print// DEVICE: HOME// BAY RM350PRT COPY RM AT BAY PINES OIFO Want KIDS to INHIBIT LOGONs during the install? YES// NO Want to DISABLE Scheduled Options, Menu Options, and Protocols? YES// NO Enter the Device you want to print the Install messages. You can queue the install by enter a 'Q' at the device prompt. Enter a '^' to abort the install. DEVICE: HOME// UCX/TELNET Install Started for IB*2.0*253 : Dec 17, 2003@20:00:25 Build Distribution Date: Dec 17, 2003 Installing Routines: Dec 17, 2003@20:00:25 Running Post-Install Routine: ^IB20P253 Filing CY 2004 Pension Threshold rates. IB*2.0*253 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step complete. Filing Medicare Deductible Rate for 01/01/2004 Step complete. >>>Queuing the PRINT & UPDATE job to run NOW >>>This job has been queued for NOW, as task number 2270231. Updating Routine file... Updating KIDS files... IB*2.0*253 Installed. Dec 17, 2003@20:00:26 Install Message sent #1850489 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- +------------------------------------------------------------+ 100% | 25 50 75 | Complete +------------------------------------------------------------+ Install Completed Routine Information: ==================== Routine Name: - IB20P253 Routine Checksum: Routine Name: - IB20E253 Routine Checksum: ============================================================================= User Information: Entered By : HOLLOWAY,THOMAS J Date Entered : NOV 07, 2003 Completed By: ILUSTRISIMO,LUCY Date Completed: JAN 12, 2004 Released By : GANUS,MAUNETTE Date Released : JAN 13, 2004 ============================================================================= Packman Mail Message: ===================== $END TXT