A proposal to track prior authorization using CPT codes was pulled back for revision after a surprising finding. An urologist, advocated for the plan to compensate physicians for time spent on prior authorization requirements. He also hoped it would streamline the process and improve patient care. However, the American Medical Association (AMA) informed urologist that […]
Physicians and healthcare experts are urging Medicare to lead reforms in the time-consuming prior authorization (PA) process, which often causes delays in patient care. However, they caution against excessive reform, as it could exacerbate the problem rather than improving it. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have put forth two proposals for […]
The spotlight is on your revenue cycle’s coding team as COVID-19 reporting sheds light on a multitude of post-acute conditions brought on by the virus. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open found that between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, providers used ICD-10-CM code U09.9 (post-COVID-19 […]
Providers are currently stuck with outdated templates, leaving plenty of room for improvement. I thought it might be appropriate to take a “four score and seven years ago” look across evaluation and management (E&M) services, looking at what we had, what we have, and what is still to come. So, to begin, I will rewind […]
While the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for young children has yet to receive FDA authorization, AMA has created a CPT code to ensure healthcare professionals are prepared for the shot’s potential use. The American Medical Association (AMA) has updated the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set to include CPT codes for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for […]
Although health plans aim to promote value-based care with prior authorization requirements, providers and patients may experience negative repercussions from the process. Prior authorization negatively impacted patients and providers alike by leading to care delays for patients and creating administrative burden for physicians, according to a survey from the American Medical Association (AMA). Health plans […]
AMA updated the CPT code set to accommodate the new mix-and-match COVID-19 vaccine booster strategy endorsed by the federal government. The update comes on the heels of a decision from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize booster doses of Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccine. The federal agency has recommended a booster dose of the vaccine […]
Health insurance industry consolidation continued to increase, restricting consumers’ options for coverage, an American Medical Association report argued. “As merger rumors involving health insurers swirl, the prospect of future consolidation in the health insurance industry should be more closely scrutinized given the low levels of competition in most health insurance markets,” Gerald E. Harmon, […]
UnitedHealth Group, Anthem, Aetna, and Cigna returned to the list of the top five largest health insurers and one newcomer joined the list. UnitedHealth Group, Anthem, Aetna, and Cigna held onto their status as the top four largest insurers, but in 2020 Kaiser rose to fifth place. AMA was careful to point out that data […]
The updates include unique CPT codes for a new formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and new codes for booster doses expected to roll out later this month. The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced updates to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set to account for changes to COVID-19 vaccines, including booster […]