Month: July 2021

How 2 Rural Hospitals use charities to help Patients without-of-pocket costs

Outside financial aid might not be the best long-term solution to the national problem of high healthcare costs and inadequate insurance coverage, but two rural hospitals are taking innovative approaches to tapping philanthropic resources to reduce their bad debt and help patients with medical bills. The American Hospital Association’s latest Annual Survey of Hospitals showed […]
2022 ICD-10-CM Guidelines Released

2022 ICD-10-CM Guidelines Released

Released earlier than usual, the fiscal year (FY) 2022 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting became available online Monday, July 12, and include instructions for assigning novel code U09.9 Post COVID-19 condition (found under Section I.C.1.g.1). Familiarize yourself with the following new and revised guidance, effective October 1, to ensure proper diagnosis coding and […]
Healthcare Leaders Identify top digital transformation priorities for healthcare

Healthcare Leaders Identify top digital transformation priorities for healthcare

  A new Lumeon survey lists improving patient access, team coordination, and improving care quality as top wishes, but inadequate budgets, data silos, and inflexible EHRs remain as barriers. While the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how huge a role technology can play in making the care process more efficient and convenient, simply revving up patient engagement […]
Hospital Pros and Cons of the CY 2022 OPPS Proposed Rule

Hospital Pros and Cons of the CY 2022 OPPS Proposed Rule

Hospital groups are digesting the 863-page CY 2022 OPPS proposed rule, but many are already commenting on new hospital price transparency penalties and other policies. The newly proposed Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) rule for calendar year (CY) 2022 is causing a stir with new hospital price transparency enforcement rules and other policies. The […]
Payer Moves to Increase Member Access to Acute Home Healthcare

Payer Moves to Increase Member Access to Acute Home Healthcare

Regence BlueShield’s new partnership will offer members access to quality acute home healthcare services. Regence BlueShield (Regence) has partnered with a home healthcare provider to increase member access to acute home healthcare services. Regence members in Pierce County, Washington will have access to the new program. The payer plans to expand the acute home healthcare […]
FY 2022 ICD-10-CM Guidelines

FY 2022 ICD-10-CM Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines for the 2022 fiscal year (FY) on July 12th. The latest edition comprises 115 pages, which marks an 11-page reduction compared to the FY 2021 version. These updated guidelines will come into effect for discharges and visits from October […]
Telemedicine Use Higher Among PCPs with Value-Based Payment

Telemedicine Use Higher Among PCPs with Value-Based Payment

A study of Medicare Advantage enrollees during the COVID-19 pandemic found that telemedicine use soared among primary care practices with value-based payment models. Telemedicine use skyrocketed among primary care practices during the pandemic, specifically for those with a value-based payment model, according to a research letter published in JAMA Health Forum. Many patients were forced […]