Category: Healthcare News

Evaluation and Management Services

More Changes Ahead for Evaluation and Management Services

Changes to payment, coding, and documentation policies for evaluation and management (E/M) services finalized in the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule are necessary to align with the American Medical Association’s (AMA) revisions to the 2021 CPT code set for office/outpatient E/M visits, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposed policy changes for E/M visits are […]
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Physician Fee Schedule

CMS Proposes Changes to Physician Fee Schedule, Quality Payment Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and the Quality Payment Program as part of its effort to reduce provider burden. “Clinicians are drowning in paperwork and reporting requirements caused by cumbersome government rules and regulations,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma in a press […]
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MIPS

Unpacking Proposed Merit-Based Incentive Payment System Changes

CMS recently proposed Merit-Based Incentive Payment System changes in 2020 and beyond, including a new participation framework and higher performance thresholds. CMS is planning to overhaul reporting for the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to make the pay-for-performance program less burdensome and more meaningful to providers, according a recently proposed rule. As reported last week, […]
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MIPS-Payment Models

CMS Unveils New MIPS ‘Framework’ Aimed at Reducing Reporting Burden

The Trump administration has proposed updates to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) it says would ease the quality reporting burdens in the program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced a new framework for MIPS called MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) with the goal of making it easier for physicians to participate in the program. Under […]
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OPPS Rule

CMS Proposes Updates for OPPS, Pitches Price Transparency Rules

The agency dropped proposals for three key payment programs aimed at cutting administrative burden and boosting price transparency. CMS has released three new proposed payment programs that aim to reduce administrative burden, put patients over paperwork, and increase price transparency for patients, the agency said in a statement emailed to journalists. Specifically, CMS has proposed […]
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Artificial Intelligence in RCM

How AI Can Create A Massive Competitive Advantage – 4 Financial Applications

Healthcare organizations have a tremendous opportunity to harness artificial intelligence in an area that may not seem flashy but is important nonetheless: revenue cycle management. Although 94 percent of companies firmly believe AI can give healthcare organizations a “massive competitive advantage,” according to Change Healthcare’s Adam Sullivan, PhD, less than 5 percent have extensively incorporated […]
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hhs-requests-hold-its-surprise-billing-appeal

Surprise Billing Fight Escalates As Providers Win Arbitration Add To House Bill

The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the No Surprises Act with a provider-backed amendment adding an arbitration clause Wednesday afternoon. It will now head to the full House for consideration. Dive Brief: The House Energy and Commerce Committee is planning to add third-party arbitration to its surprise billing legislation, the No Surprises Act, on […]
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Chronic Care Management

How To Deliver Effective And Profitable Chronic Care Management

Chronic care management (CCM) has an overarching clinical goal—improving the health of Medicare patients with multiple chronic conditions. Besides knowing the service parameters, pay rates and usage requirements for CCM codes, physicians must understand how to effectively bill for CCM in order to profitably achieve that goal. Medicare pays for CCM (typically, non-face-to-face) services to […]
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Medicare Payment

MEDPAC Calls For End To ‘Incident To’ Billing

“Incident to” billing by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) would be eliminated if Congress adopts a recent recommendation from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). In its June quarterly report to Congress, MedPAC suggests requiring APRNs and PAs to bill Medicare payment directly for all their services, rather than under the national provider identifier […]
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