Tagged with Behavioral Health Billing
CMS Expands Medicare Coverage of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
CMS announced, on July 2, that it finalized its national coverage policy for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM), extending coverage of blood pressure monitoring devices to all Medicare beneficiaries suspected of reporting abnormal blood pressure levels when administered in clinical settings.
CMS Issues FAQs on BPCI Advanced Model
CMS, on June 21, issued several new or updated frequently asked questions documents on the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Advanced Model, an Advanced Alternative Payment Model launched last October that will run through 2023.
ICD-10-CM Coding Changes Released for FY 2020
CMS has provided ICD-10-CM coding updates for the fiscal year, starting October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2020.
Aetna Issues ASC and Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) Code Edit Updates
Aetna has released updates regarding how the insurer will handle certain ambulatory surgical center (ASC) and ambulatory payment classification (APC) code edits under the ASC and APC payment methodologies.
Anthem Announces Fee Schedule Changes
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) recently notified members of the upcoming changes to its Anthem Plan Fee Schedules, scheduled to take place July 1.
House Renews Several Medicaid Programs, Including Payment Pilot for Mental Health Clinics
The House passed legislation to renew several Medicaid programs, including an eight state pilot that pays higher reimbursement rates to mental health clinics that offer comprehensive mental health services regardless of ability to pay, offering assistance to patients move out of assisted living facilities, covering costs for individuals whose spouses are in long-term care, and preventing Medicaid fraud.
Senate Health Committee Draft Legislation Targets Health Care Costs
Senate Health Committee leaders have proposed a legislative health care package which aims to reduce health care costs for individuals by addressing surprise medical bills, drug price transparency, and pharmacy benefit management.
Atena Updates Payment Process for Certain ASC and APC Code Edits
Aetna has posted updated information regarding how the insurer will handle certain Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) and Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) code edits under the ASC and APC payment methodologies.
New Jersey – Mental Health Parity Legislation Signed Into Law
The Governor of New Jersey has signed legislation that will enhance enforcement of mental health parity laws in the state. The law aims to improve transparency and accountability by requiring insurers to provide coverage consistent with federal requirements of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2008.
Florida – Receives CMS Approval for Behavioral Health Housing Pilot
CMS has approved a Florida section 1115 pilot program that provides behavioral health services and temporary housing to Medicaid beneficiaries with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
Federal Judge Rules ACA is Unconstitutional
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional on the grounds that its mandate requiring people to buy health insurance is unconstitutional and the rest of the law cannot stand without it.
Aetna Update for CPT II Codes for High Blood Pressure Measurements
Aetna has issued an update regarding the use of CPT II codes for HEDIS® high blood pressure measurements for patients diagnosed with hypertension.
Humana Claim Payment Policy Update
Humana has published a new claim payment policy update for durable medical equipment (DME) repair and replacement.
Connecticut – Provider Termination Requirements
Aetna has posted a reminder regarding provider contract termination requirements in the state of Connecticut.
New York – Anthem Reimbursement Policy Updates
Anthem has posted several reimbursement policy updates, including updates to its Rule of Eight” Reporting Guidelines, system updates for 2019, and updates to policy for Modifier 69.
Wisconsin – Anthem Medical Policies and Clinical UM Guidelines Update
Anthem Wisconsin has updated certain medical policies and clinical utilization management (UM) guidelines to support clinical coding edits.
CMS Publishes Final CY 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rates and Policies
On November 1, CMS issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. The final rule updates payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2019.
CMS Finalizes Medicare OPPS, ASC Rates and Policies for 2019
CMS has finalized Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) rates and policies for calendar year 2019.
CMS Introduces New Cost Comparison Tool
In an effort to improve healthcare price transparency, CMS launched a tool that allows consumers to compare Medicare payments and copayments for certain procedures that are performed in both hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers.
Delaware Governor Announces Health Care Spending; Quality Benchmarks
Delaware Governor recently signed an executive order establishing state health care spending and quality benchmarks beginning in calendar year 2019.
