Category: Blog

cms-updates-hcpcs-level-ii-for-q2

CMS Updates HCPCS Level II for Q2

Medical Coding Updates and Insights Unveiled Effective April 1, 2022, the HCPCS Level II code set, which is employed to record medical services and provisions, will encompass the integration of 37 novel codes. Furthermore, the second quarter revision encompasses the elimination of five codes and a refinement of the description for one modifier. Lay Terms […]
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Medicare Advantage Plans Boost Supplemental Benefits Offerings

Medicare Advantage plans expanded their supplemental benefits offerings in 2022, with more health plans offering special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI), according to an issue brief commissioned by Better Medicare Alliance. Medicare beneficiaries typically join Medicare Advantage plans because of the array of supplemental benefits that the program offers in addition to traditional […]
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key-factors-when-coding-drug-screenings

Key Factors When Coding Drug Screenings

Dodge denials for drug testing by knowing which details demand attention. How often do you experience denials when it comes to your definitive drug testing? If the answer is often, this article may provide some answers to why that might be happening. Many payer policies have very clear guidelines, both medical and reimbursement, that dictate […]
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get-the-faqs-for-cpt-changes

Get the FAQs for CPT® Changes

FAQs for CPT Changes in 2022 – AAPC’s senior VP of products answers frequently asked questions about new, revised, and deleted CPT® codes for 2022. This month, I will answer questions asked during my Nov. 23, 2021, webinar 2022 CPT® Coding Updates. This webinar shed light on CPT® code updates, why codes were updated, how […]
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federal-court-strikes-portions

Federal Court Strikes Portions of Regulations Implementing No Surprises Act

  On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, a federal court in Texas struck down five controversial portions of the interim final rule (“Rule”) jointly issued by three federal executive agencies (“Departments”) that implement the independent dispute resolution (“IDR”) process of the No Surprises Act (“NSA”). The portions of the Rule at issue set forth certain parameters […]
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HHS to Distribute $560M in Phase 4 COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds

The third batch of Phase 4 COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds will offer $560 million to 4,100 providers who faced revenue loss during the pandemic and serve vulnerable populations. HHS is distributing another $560 million in Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 payments to over 4,100 healthcare providers that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Provider […]
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national-healthcare-spending-prices-saw-modest-increase-in-2021

National Healthcare Spending, Prices Saw Modest Increase in 2021

National healthcare spending increased by 3.4 percent in 2021, while the Health Care Price Index (HCPI) maintained a year-over-year growth of around 2 percent, according to Altarum’s February 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators (HSEI) briefs. Unlike the December 2021 and January 2022 briefs, Altarum included federal government expenditures in the February data, which significantly impacted […]
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icd-11-officially-released-for-implementation

ICD-11 Officially Released for Implementation

On Feb. 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) released ICD-11 2022. This is the official version of the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding set that WHO member countries will be implementing worldwide. In fact, according to the WHO release announcement, 35 countries are already using ICD-11. The WHO began developing […]
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