Healthcare payment integrity is a crucial aspect of efficient claims processing, and its improvement can significantly reduce costs and improve patient care. Healthcare costs continue to climb, burdening patients, providers, and insurers alike. A significant driver of this issue is the inefficiency of healthcare administration, particularly in claims processing. Despite standardized claim formats, outdated systems […]
Medicare Telehealth Policy Changes are set to reshape the landscape of telehealth services. As the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, Medicare will revert to pre-pandemic policies, imposing stricter rules for telehealth services starting January 1, 2025, unless Congress intervenes. Key changes include: Geographic Restrictions: Patients must generally live in a health professional shortage area, a […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which includes a 2.9% Medicare Physician Pay Cuts to physician payments. This decision, despite opposition from major industry groups, will impact healthcare providers and potentially patient access to care. The rule also includes several positive provisions, such as expanded […]
As diabetes prevalence increases, the importance of diabetes self-management training (DSMT) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) becomes undeniable. To empower patients, optimize health outcomes, and ensure sustainable access, healthcare systems must integrate DSMT and MNT into diabetes care protocols. This article highlights the critical role of registered dietitians (RDs) and nutrition professionals in providing these […]
On October 11th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule establishing a new Medicare appeals process for Medicare beneficiaries who are initially admitted to a hospital as inpatients but later reclassified as outpatients receiving observation services. This rule is a result of the class-action lawsuit that sought to establish appeal […]
With over 67 million Americans—nearly 20% of the population—relying on Medicare, the program plays a crucial role in ensuring access to quality healthcare. Unfortunately, looming Medicare physician reimbursement cuts threaten to undermine this vital service, potentially leading to reduced access to care and compromised patient outcomes Medicare physician reimbursement cuts, such as the proposed 2.8% […]
Healthcare fraud in medical coding, particularly through practices like upcoding and unbundling, has become a major concern for medical coding and billing professionals. A recent healthcare market research survey found that 90% of respondents view upcoding as a significant ethical challenge Upcoding involves assigning higher-level codes to medical services than are warranted, leading to inflated […]
Most Americans prefer the convenience of direct deposit for their paychecks. However, imagine if your employer deducted a 2-5% fee from each paycheck to cover the cost of electronic payments. While it seems absurd, this is the reality for many doctors in the U.S. Healthcare insurers and their payment processors often impose hidden EFT fees […]
Providers and coders should work together to maximize reimbursement by ensuring accurate coding, which is validated by thorough medical documentation. By focusing on ways to improve medical documentation for better reimbursement, providers can enhance patient care and ensure accurate reimbursement. Here are five ways to improve documentation, patient care, and reimbursement: 1. Avoid EHR Shortcuts […]
A new survey reveals a significant rise in cyberattacks on healthcare organizations since 2023. These attacks have led to substantial disruptions in patient care, with the average attack costing organizations nearly $1.5 million. According to the survey, 92% of healthcare IT and security professionals reported at least one cyberattack in the past year, up from […]