Tagged with Internal Medicine Billing
CMS, HHS Proposes Changes to Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute Reforms
On October 9, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced proposed changes that seek to modernize and clarify the regulations that interpret the Physician Self-Referral Law (the Stark Law) and the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The proposed rule has been designed to provide greater certainty for healthcare providers participating in value-based arrangements and providing coordinated care for patients. The proposed changes are intended to ease the compliance burden for healthcare providers across the industry while maintaining strong safeguards to protect patients and programs from fraud and abuse.
CMS Advances ‘Patients over Paperwork’ Initiative Under Final Rule
On September 26, CMS issued The Omnibus Burden Reduction (Conditions of Participation) Final Rule, which advances the ‘Patients over Paperwork’ initiative aimed at reducing administrative costs in healthcare.
Texas to Receive Increase in Federal Funds for Uncompensated Care
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced, on October 1, that the state will be given $11.6 billion over the next three years to help reimburse health care providers for indigent services and is intended to benefit hospitals, clinics, public ambulance, and dental providers.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Proposes New Approach to End Surprise Medical Bills
In a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Richard Neal has proposed that the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Labor and Treasury Department, along with other interested parties, consolidate their efforts to develop standards for rates for surprise bills.
Proposed Legislation Aims to Improve Provider Directories Accuracy
Two physician lawmakers have proposed new legislation that aims to improve the accuracy of information in health plan provider directories and protect patients from surprise out-of-network bills. The Improving Provider Directories Act (HR 4575) would require health plans to provide an avenue for people to report errors in provider directories, in a “highly visible way”.
Executive Order Issued to Protect Traditional Medicare and MA Plans
The president, on October 3, signed an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to increase efforts to provide more insurance plan options under Medicare Advantage and to remove regulations that are considered burdensome to health care providers. The order is intended to protect traditional Medicare and private Medicare Advantage while ramping up alternative payment models, time spent with patients, access to innovative technology and reducing the regulatory burdens on providers.
CMS Issues Renewed Guidance to Ensure Medicaid Program Integrity
On June 20, CMS released a renewed guidance to state Medicaid agencies that outlines the necessary assurances that states should make to ensure that program resources are reserved for those who meet eligibility requirements.
CMS Releases 2018 ACA Risk-Adjustment Data
CMS, on June 28, released its report summary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) risk adjustment program for the 2018 benefit year. The analysis found that 572 health insurers offering ACA plans participated in the program in 2018, and transfers between the companies totaled $10.4 billion.
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.
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.
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.
