The President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on Friday, March 27, formalizing a piece of legislation meant to support and stimulate the economy in the midst of the global pandemic, to the tune of over $2 trillion. This article will address provisions of the CARES Act that will assist […]
Prior authorizations, or prior approvals, are strategies that payers use to control costs and ensure their members only receive medically necessary care. The cost-control process requires providers to acquire advance approval from payers before delivering specific services or items for a patient. Payers are increasingly using prior authorizations to lower their costs and improve care […]
In addition to patient billing and policy, healthcare M&A and workforce diversity will also be major trends going into the new year, according to PwC’s Health Research Institute. Patient billing, policy and regulation, healthcare mergers and acquisitions, and workforce diversity will be some of the top priorities for provider organizations in 2020, predicted researchers at PwC’s Health […]
Now is the time to begin preparing for the new code set. It is good to be back to talk about ICD-11. Yes, it’s a reality now, and all providers can start to get prepared for this significant new ICD-11 coding system. ICD-11 has been years in the making, and it is a result of […]
88% of providers are eager to implement clinical document improvement technology that leverages AI, and 93% believe the systems can streamline document creation. Forty-four percent of healthcare organizations already use artificial intelligence (AI) in one form or another, and more hospitals are looking to apply the technology to coding and clinical documentation improvement, a recent […]
CMS’ reworked the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, to simplify reporting requirements for providers in its 2020 Physician Fee Schedule Quality Payment Program Final Rule.Patient billing disputes result in more work for hospital staff and can potentially stand in the way of timely payment for services. However, many organizations are making efforts to avoid or reduce […]
Intelligent Automation (IA) is a major opportunity for healthcare providers in our country that can be an answer to the growing public health crisis. The state of healthcare in the United States is at an inflection point and the imperative to lower costs and drive efficiencies is greater now than at any other time in […]
EDITOR’S NOTE: Five Looking at Ten is a month-long series on ICD10monitor and Talk Ten Tuesdays that examines lessons learned since the nation’s healthcare system adopted ICD-10 transition – many of which are expected to come into play with the looming transition to ICD-11. George Vancore of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida appeared as […]
How many times has a provider asked you, “What do I need to document to get a 99215?” All too often, medical coders feel they should help their providers understand what elements of documentation are needed to warrant the higher level evaluation and management (E/M) service. Do not do it! If It Isn’t Documented, It […]
President Donald J. Trump pushed back against his democratic rivals October 3 by signing an executive order aimed at taking the wind out of the sails of their Medicare for all propositions. The executive order says that the proposals calling for “Medicare for All” in the Senate would destroy the current Medicare program, and that […]