Monday, November 2nd, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced, Oct. 30, final changes to 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) policies and payment rates. Taking into account all changes in the final rule, CMS projects a payment increase between 5 and 8 percent for health care professionals paid under the MPFS. That’s the good news …
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Carriers and Part A and Part B Medicare Administrative Contractors (A/B MACs) are creating lists and checking them twice, but they’re not looking for who’s been naughty or nice. On these lists are X-ray suppliers currently billing Medicare who are not in the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS). Read more »
Monday, October 5th, 2009
The American Medical Association (AMA) posted several Category II code updates in recent weeks. The latest additions, deletions and revisions will affect how physicians report certain conditions in 2010, but you won’t find them listed in the CPT® books until 2011. Read more »
Friday, September 18th, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed Sept. 15 a new prospective payment system (PPS) for facilities and providers that furnish renal dialysis services to Medicare beneficiaries who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Monday, September 14th, 2009
Medicare Parts A and B Medicare Administrative Contractors (A/B MACs) for jurisdictions 10 and 14 have been instructed to begin implementing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Version 5010. This will affect all physicians, providers and suppliers who bill these two A/B MACs. Read more »
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
The 2010 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule, released July 31, provides acute care hospitals with an inflation update of 2.1 percent in their 2010 payment rates. The documentation and coding adjustment the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed in May has been put on hold.
New guidance is available for electronic prescribing, or e-prescribing, and the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). A July 2 transmittal issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will help ensure your practice qualifies for the full 2 percent incentive payment (for each program).
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
A proposed rule that addresses Part B payment policies paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) went on display today in the Federal Register. The proposed rule with comment period includes several policy changes intended to help offset a much-anticipated payment cut in 2010.
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released, July 1, Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) changes for the Calendar Year (CY) 2010. There are a number of proposed reporting options and reporting periods available. Some options require data submission by Dec. 31, 2010. Data reported through registries, however, is not due to CMS until 2011.
Friday, June 12th, 2009
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) submitted its semiannual report to Congress, reporting an expected $2.4 billion in recoveries the first half of the fiscal year. Recoveries were made from providers, drug companies, other agencies, and even four states.
