MedLearn Introduces Database for Crosswalking Medi-Cal Drug-Specific X Codes to National Codes.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Healthcare providers that bill California's Medi-Cal program now have a new, more efficient way to crosswalk Medi-Cal drug-specific X codes to the corresponding National Drug Codes (NDCs), as well as to Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.

Medical Learning, Inc., (MedLearn), in conjunction with R*J Health Systems International, LLC, announces the launch of a Medi-Cal drug-specific X codes database, first of its kind in the country.

Medi-Cal X codes are the same as Level III HCPCS codes, which were phased out nationally in 2003. Medi-Cal is the only state Medicaid program that has continued to use X codes in conjunction with NDCs and HCPCS/CPT codes. Medi-Cal currently encourages providers to use NDCs accompanied by the corresponding X codes and HCPCS/CPT drug codes. Eventually, Medi-Cal may require the use of NDCs on claim forms.

MedLearn offers access to the new drug-specific X code database on an annual subscription basis. Subscribers receive the information electronically in a spreadsheet; monthly updates include code revisions, additions and deletions. Besides crosswalking NDCs, X codes and HCPCS/CPT codes, the database contains the current Medi-Cal payment rate for each drug-specific X code.

"One of our customers, a hospital system in California, asked us about providing this information in a quick look-up format," explains MedLearn President Mike Rogge. "After checking with the three national drug code databases (First Data Bank, Medi-Span and Red Book), we discovered that no such database existed at the time."

MedLearn then initiated discussions with R*J Health Systems to create a drug-specific X codes crosswalk database. The two companies had previously collaborated in the development of www.MedLearnDrugCodes.com, a highly successful web site that gives hospitals and physician practices a reliable single source for up-to-date drug coding, pricing and reimbursement information.

"Between R*J Health Systems and MedLearn, we have a team whose extensive knowledge in pharmaceuticals and reimbursement enabled us to create a drug-specific X codes database that would be easy to use by healthcare organizations," says R*J Health Systems President John Aforismo, B.Sc.Pharm., R.PH, FASCP. "We also tapped into the California hospital system's experience with Medi-Cal X codes; their insights were very valuable."

About Medical Learning, Inc. (MedLearn)

Since its founding in 1991, MedLearn (www.medlearn.com) has become one of the nation's most respected authorities on medical coding, compliance and reimbursement. MedLearn clients can choose from a variety of resources, including publications, consulting services, customized learning and assessments, seminars and online testing and learning. Content for each of these resources comes directly from MedLearn experts, professionals who have years, often decades, of real-world experience in the clinical and business office settings.

About R*J Health Systems International, LLC

Founded in 1983, R*J Health Systems International (www.RJHealthsystems.com) has emerged as a leader in educational and operational resources designed to promote the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals. This information is offered through publications and web sites and used by customers in the U.S. and internationally. Many organizations recognize R*J Health Systems as the premier source of coding and billing information for pharmaceuticals administered by physician offices, hospitals and home healthcare agencies. The company's staff includes registered pharmacists, certified pharmacy technicians and registered nurses. RJ Health Systems International is located in Wethersfield Connecticut.