MPSM Newsletter - September 2024
MPSM Strategy Gallery Walk- A Look Back at the Past to Inspire Future Progress
Every so often, when you’re on a journey like MPSM, it is important to step back and look outwards to ensure we are still aligned with where we want to be and how to get there. With that and our ongoing pursuit of continuous improvement in mind, the MPSM program will be reviewing our vision and strategy for modernization over the next few months. The program launched this effort with a Gallery Walk workshop aimed at revisiting the vision, guiding principles, and strategy for Fee for Service modernization, established three years ago to determine if, after everything we have learned, it still aligns with our current priorities.
MPSM Leadership will continue to engage MPSM stakeholders in open conversations to recalibrate the vision as needed and then develop and document a strategy for how to achieve it. Additional, follow-up sessions will be held as part of these efforts.
To view the MPSM Timeline, visit: MPSM Timeline - MPSM HQ - Enterprise Confluence (cms.gov)
New this fall! The latest developments in the dental system
The MPSM dental teams have been working hard to develop additional functionality following the successful launch of the dental system in July. Several teams have been working on giving MACs the ability to process paper claims and make adjustments to claims.
While most providers submit claims electronically, some still prefer to use paper. Adding the ability to process paper claims to the system will ensure that MACs are able to process all dental claims, regardless of the form they are submitted in. The teams are working closely with the MACs to ensure the system is meeting their needs.
An adjustment is when changes are made to claim that has already been adjudicated. This could happen when a claim was wrongfully denied when it should have been paid, when certain information on the original claim should be changed, or in other scenarios. Functionality allowing MACs to manually make these types of changes will be released in October. With the release of this new functionality, MACs will be able to accurately process dental claim adjustments. Additional functionality to automate some adjustments or process multiple adjustments together may be added in the future.
Our Playbook for MPSM – To Agility and Beyond!
Exciting news! The MPSM program has been developing a playbook that will provide insight into how we approach our work. The playbook is a comprehensive resource that describes the core philosophies central to our ways of working and offers informative guidelines and some good practices tailored to help our teams deliver better value, sooner, safer, and happier.
Structured around 12 key pillars, the playbook presents a mindset that emphasizes people over processes and responding to change over following a plan. It provides actionable insights on everything from leadership and collaboration to building strong relationships with stakeholders.
The MPSM Playbook is a valuable resource designed to assist the program in adopting practices that promote continuous learning and improvement. Whether you’re new to agility or seeking to deepen your understanding, this essential tool seeks to create a more innovative work environment while supporting our modernization efforts.
To view Our Playbook for MPSM, visit: Agile Playbook - MPSM HQ - Enterprise Confluence (cms.gov)
Leadership Spotlight 
"We Are MPSM" offers an opportunity to take a glimpse into leaders and product managers’ vision of MPSM, hear their views on the importance of modernization, and learn some fun facts about them along the way. The series continues with Vadim Chervinsky who serves as Deputy Director for the MPSM Program.
WHO IS VADIM CHERVINSKY?
Vadim has over 25 years of experience in application development across both the private and public sectors. Upon joining the MPSM program in January 2024, he quickly recognized the challenging and complex nature of the Medicare modernization program, finding it both fascinating and crucial. Vadim hopes that his extensive experience in application development will contribute to streamlining development, operational, and business processes within this vital initiative.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MODERNIZATION FOR CMS?
“Modernizing the Medicare FFS system is not just about upgrading the technology of the Medicare legacy system. It is about improving how we process Medicare claims, making the process more streamlined, less cumbersome, automated, and scalable using modernized technological concepts and principles. It will enhance the new Medicare FFS ecosystem's responsiveness, maintainability, and cost savings.”
CAREER SNAPSHOT
“I joined CMS in the Spring of 2012. Prior to that, I was at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), managing application development projects and building IT systems for survey collections and custom network tools. Before that, I worked as an application development manager for the Department of Defense (DoD) as a contractor in various companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Dynamic Research corp.”
PAST CMS PROJECTS?
“I was on the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) development team at one point. Then I led the efforts to sunset the old legacy financial system and deploy the new modernized Medicaid and CHIP Financial (MACFin) system.”
YOUR CAREER IN 5 WORDS
“Exciting, Challenging, Problem-solving, Rewarding, Lifelong Learner”
FUN FACT!
“I play the saxophone. I am self-taught and like to learn different techniques!”
HOBBIES? WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
“I love watching tennis. Once a year, my wife and I travel to one of the tennis tournaments to watch it live.”
FAVORITE SUBJECT AS A STUDENT?
“History”
Informational Resources
What else is planned for FY25 Q1? Check out the Product Reference Sheet!
The FY25 Q1 MPSM Quarterly Planning session will occur held during the week of September 17-19, 2024. Following each Quarterly Planning, the MPSM Product Reference Sheet (PRS) is created to provide a high-level summary of how the MPSM product teams are helping to modernize Medicare Payment Systems, along with their recent progress and what they have planned for the coming quarter.
Click here to view the latest FY24 Q4 PRS!