Please remember that March 3, 2010 is EMS day on the Hill and your presence and support is the key to the success of this day.
TennCare is proposing a 7% cut across the board for all providers.  This was discussed in detail during the TennCare Oversight meeting on Monday.  Below is a link to the video to this meeting.  Although it is lengthy, it would be time well spent to watch this in its entirety to understand what we are up against.

http://tnga.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=58&clip_id=2401

We have rooms available at the Opryland Radisson for $85 (plus tax) a night available by calling 1-615-889-0800.  Mention TASA for room rate.

We have scheduled a planning meeting at 7:30 pm on the night of March 2, 2010 in the Brentwood meeting room at the Opryland Radisson.  We will discuss the message that needs to be relayed on the 3rd. WE NEED ALL REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. Also bring copies of the crossover EOB’s that you have gotten that are HIPPA compliant to show examples to your representatives and Senators. Make sure all patient information has been marked out.

Call and schedule appointments, if you haven't already, with your representative and Senator to meet and discuss the issues we need their support on.

We are requesting that you wear your EMS dress uniform or work uniform if you can. On the morning of March 3rd, we will meet in the lobby of the Legislative Plaza at 8:00. At that time we will ask each group to meet briefly with their regional representative to discuss our talking points.

Contact your regional TASA representative to let them know if you plan on attending. We need to know how many people will be attending so that we can order box lunches. We need to know if you are attending, no later than noon Friday, February 26 so that we can place our order.

Again, we apologize for the late notice, however, most of this information only became available late yesterday.

Thank you for your support in these difficult times, together we will go forward.


Mike Shankle

On March 3, 2010 we are asking all EMS personnel, that are interested in making sure EMS is kept in the mind of our legislators, to help by showing up and relaying our needs to them. 

This year we anticipating the Governor’s budget making large hits on the TennCare program.  So with that in mind we need to use this day to thank our legislators for what has been done for us in the past and to please keep us in mind this year and in the future to not let the budget cuts impact EMS in the state. 

As we have seen before we must keep in touch educating those in Nashville as to EMS’s impact on making a good healthcare system in Tennessee.  Let them know that we appreciate the mileage monies that were given out this past year and let them know whether or not you are receiving the crossover. 

On March 3rd we need to show force in the way of numbers and voices of thank you for what our legislators have done supporting EMS.  Set meetings with them to explain the needs of EMS present and future. 

Set up appointment to meet with your Senator and Representative.
Wear EMS uniform (Dress type if you have it.)
Call if you need or want someone from the Legislative committee to go with you. 
We are planning on box lunch meeting at noon please plan on joining us. (location to be announced  later)
Make sure to attend that day.  Even if you can’t be there first thing in morning.

Please mark your calendars for March 3, 2010. 

Thank you

Legislative Committee

TNEMSC is gearing up for the 2nd Annual EMS Star of Life on May 11, 2010.

To learn more about the EMS Star of Life Award is http://www.tnemsc.org/StarofLife

It is time to start submitting nominations for the 2010 EMS Star of Life!! 

You will find the nomination packet by clicking on Star of Life Nomination Packet . Submit your nominations by February 1, 2010 to:

E-mail: Kristi Rush at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  

Fax: TN EMSC, 615-936-3467

Mail: TN EMSC

Doctor’s Office Tower, Suite 5121

2200 Children’s Way

Nashville, TN 37232-9075

The 2009 ceremony was a tremendous success. Join our Outreach Team in making 2010’s Star of Life Award more successful.

Most Common EDI Services Inquiries

Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators®, LLC, has prepared the attached document for you to send to your members. This document contains information regarding some of the more common inquiries received by the EDI Services department.

View Cahaba EDI Document

Please distribute this to your members and encourage them to read it, as it may provide solutions to some of the EDI related issues they may be experiencing. Please do not make any changes to the article.

If you have any questions you may contact EDI Services at (866) 582-3253.

Electronic Data Interchange
Cahaba GBA J10 A/B MAC

URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL PROVIDERS CURRENTLY RECEIVING PAYMENTS FROM CIGNA GOVERNMENT SERVICES VIA EFT

Any provider currently receiving payments from CIGNA Government Services via EFT and have not submitted a new CMS-588 form to Cahaba GBA already, MUST submit a CMS-588/EFT form (click here to download) Authorization Agreement for Electronic Funds Transfer, IMMEDIATELY to avoid an interruption in EFT payment. This is required even if Cahaba GBA’s financial institution is the same as that of CIGNA Government Services. PROVIDERS THAT DO NOT COMPLETE AND SUMIT THE CMS-588 EFT FORM PRIOR TO CUTOVER WILL NOT RECEIVE MEDICARE PAYMENTS. CUTOVER IS AUGUST 29, 2009.

If you do not receive EFT payments from CIGNA Government Services currently, please do not send a CMS-588 form to Cahaba GBA at this time.

Please Note: If you are a group practice and have multiple physicians within your organization, only one CMS-588/EFT for the group is needed. A separate CMS-588/EFT for each provider within the group is not required.

If you have not already done so, you MUST submit the CMS-588/EFT form to Cahaba GBA IMMEDIATELY even if you recently updated your information with CIGNA Government Services.

Completed CMS-588/EFT forms should be sent to:

Cahaba GBA Provider Enrollment-TN Part B
P.O. Box 830170
Birmingham, AL 35283-0170

EFT Resources:

• Form CMS-588
• EFT Instructions
• Tips On Completing the CMS-588

Thank you,
Provider Outreach and Education (POE)
Cahaba GBA- J10 A/B MAC

Dear Tennessee Medicare Part B Providers,

Attention:  Knoxville, Tennessee and Surrounding Areas

Cahaba GBA, LLC, Provider Outreach and Education, will host two (2) Welcome to Cahaba GBA “J10 A/B MAC Transition” Workshops in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 13, 2009.  Each workshop will provide an overview of the J10 A/B MAC transition and a review of the calendar of transition events.  Educational topics include:  

• An Overview of Cahaba GBA;
• Provider Enrollment;
• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI);
• Dark Days and Payment Cycles;
• Inquiry Triage Process;
• Frequently Asked Questions; and,
• Other J10 Transition Topics

Below are the locations and times for each workshop.  Seating will be limited, so please register early.  

City: Knoxville, Tennessee
Date: August 13, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET (Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Location: Rothchild Conference Center
There are currently 36 places remaining for this time slot.

City: Knoxville, Tennessee
Date: August 13, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. ET (Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.)
Location: Rothchild Conference Center
There are currently 17 places remaining for this time slot.

For additional details and registration information, please visit our website by clicking here
Thank You,
Provider Outreach and Education (POE)
Cahaba GBA- J10 A/B MAC

The 2009 Medical Director's Conference will be held Oct. 5, 2009 at the Opryland Radisson in Nashville, Tn. The agenda and registration information has been posted. Click the "Conferences" link from the menu or click here.