Tag: CMS

CMS-Aims-To-Streamline-Prior-Authorization

CMS Aims To Streamline Prior Authorization To Reform MA

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) both support the agency’s effort to improve Medicare Advantage (MA). In an attempt to reform MA, CMS released a proposed rule that aims to streamline prior authorization, promote health equity, and curb deceptive marketing. The Biden administration has shown a commitment to increasing oversight of […]
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Policy-Changes-for-Medicare-Payments-Under-the-PFS

Policy Changes for Medicare Payments Under the PFS

On November 2, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued CY 2023 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (Final Rule), implementing certain updates and policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), effective on or after January 1, 2023. The final […]
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Medicare-Advantage-Bill-Response-To-Complaints

The Medicare Advantage Bill Was Crafted In Response To Complaints

The bill was crafted partly in response to rising complaints among seniors over aggressive marketing practices for Medicare Advantage plans. U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, have introduced the bipartisan Medicare & You Handbook Improvement Act, which is meant to ensure that when seniors assess their Medicare coverage options, they have the necessary […]
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Digital-Health-and-Healthcare-IT-Post-Covid

The Future of Digital Health and Healthcare IT Post-Covid

Implementing and pursuing innovation in digital health and healthcare IT should be a priority for all U.S. healthcare providers and payers — especially as the lessons and response to the Covid-19 pandemic become permanently part of our everyday lives. The outbreak of Covid-19 was a “black swan” event that dramatically accelerated the evolution and acceptance […]
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Renewal-PHE

The Renewal of the PHE Indicates Public Health Emergency Exists

As expected, the COVID-19 PHE (Public Health Emergency) was extended for the 11th time, on October 13th, 2022, another 90-days, which will extend many of the CARES Act 1135 Waivers through January 11th, 2023. This extension confuses many healthcare professionals because in a 60-Minutes news interview, President Joe Biden, stated, that the “pandemic is over.” […]
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2023-Medicare-Final-Rules-Published

Highly Anticipated 2023 Medicare Final Rules Published

The final rules become effective Jan. 1, 2023. Amid this election season, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published final rules for the 2023 Part B Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Shared Savings Program, the Outpatient Prospective Payment (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System, the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective […]
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2023-MPFS-and-Quality-Payment-Program-Final-Rule-Released

2023 MPFS and Quality Payment Program Final Rule Released

The conversion factor is down but certain public health emergency flexibilities will continue. The 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Quality Payment Program final rule, released Nov. 1, allows Part B physician payment for behavioral healthcare, cancer screening, and dental care. But while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues its focus […]
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Is-Medicare-Advantage-Really-a-Disadvantage

Is Medicare Advantage Really a Disadvantage?

It’s autumn, and along with leaves changing color, pumpkin spice lattes, and cooler weather comes an avalanche of TV ads, commercials, and telephone marketing calls, all entreating us to believe that Medicare Advantage (MA) is the best thing since the invention of the cell phone. With open enrolment season upon us, it’s critical to examine […]
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Medicare-Overpayments-to-Hospitals

CMS System Edits Reduced Medicare Overpayments to Hospitals

Medicare overpayments totaled $39.3 million between September 2016 and December 2021, but most of those improper payments occurred before CMS corrected its system edits error in May 2019. CMS system edits helped reduce Medicare overpayments to acute care hospitals for outpatient services provided to beneficiaries who were inpatients of other facilities, a report from the […]
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