Tagged with Laboratory
Humana Claims Payment and Medical Coverage Policy Updates
Humana has published new and recently updated claim payment policies, including new policies for inpatient readmission review, modifiers CO and CQ, as well as revisions to the insurer’s chronic care management and principal care management and telehealth services policies.
Anthem Ohio Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments
Beginning May 1, claims that are submitted to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) of Ohio for laboratory services subject to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) 1988 federal statute and regulations will require additional information to be considered for payment.
CMS Develops New Code for Coronavirus Lab Test
On February 13, CMS introduced a new code that enables labs conducting Coronavirus tests to bill for the specific test instead of using an unspecified code.
Aetna Experimental and Investigational Labs Coverage Reminder
Aetna has issued a reminder for patient and provider regarding coverage of certain experimental and investigational laboratory tests.
Clinical Laboratory Data Reporting Delayed
CMS issued a notice stating that Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Tests (CDLTs) that are not Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Tests (ADLTs), private payor data reporting will be delayed by one year. CDLT data that was supposed to be reported between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2020, will now be reported between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2021.
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.
UnitedHealthcare Issues Recent Commercial Reimbursement Policy Updates
Effective September 1, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will add a new policy for molecular pathology and will make changes to its procedure to modifier policy.
Cigna Clinical, Reimbursement, and Administrative Policy Updates
Cigna has published a number of clinical, reimbursement, and administrative policy updates, including its reimbursement policy for spinal fusion related services, venous angioplasty, and orthotic prescriptions.
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 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.
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.
UHC Participating Provider Laboratory and Pathology Protocol Update
Effective June 1, more network care providers will be required to obtain consent from UnitedHealthcare or UnitedHealthcare Oxford members before referring them to or using out-of-network laboratories and pathologists for their care.
UHC Genetic and Molecular Lab Testing Prior Authorization Requirement
Effective July 1, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) will expand the existing prior authorization/notification for genetic and molecular testing performed in an outpatient setting.
