Now that the 2009 OPPS Updates have been released by CMS and the AMA, Craneware's seasoned data team has gone into overdrive to integrate and check the quality of the files, by building in the Chargemaster Toolkit^® link, modifier, replacement, department and best practice functionality, and additional consultant notes to help make your transition to 2009 as pain-free as possible.

We released the new CPT^® codes on October 29. And all CPT^® and HCPCS additions, deletions, and modifications are available for optional download as of November 26. Fee schedule information, APC groupings and additional consultant information will be integrated as they become available.

To ease the transition to the new rules, we invite registered Craneware clients to participate in our online seminar series covering the 2009 OPPS Updates. If you are a registered Craneware user, you can choose from two subject areas, each of which will be offered several times through January 13. The sessions will bring you up to speed on the 2009 updates and on the best ways to use Chargemaster Toolkit^® and Online Reference Toolkit^® to update your CDM with the 2009 changes. Each session is expected to run 1.5 hours.

To obtain descriptions of and to register for the educational sessions, registered users may log on to Online Reference Toolkit^® and click on the 'Release dates' link in the box at the upper right of the screen.