Tag: Medicare Services

Healthcare Data Breach Notifications

Healthcare Data Breach Notifications for Patients: What You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, patient health information (PHI) is increasingly stored and managed electronically. While this shift improves efficiency and accessibility in healthcare, it also introduces significant data privacy and security challenges. One critical area of concern is healthcare data breach—incidents where patient data is accessed, disclosed, or stolen without authorization. Under the Health Insurance […]
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Medicare Conversion Factor Increases, But Payments Remain Lower

Medicare Conversion Factor Increases, But Payments Remain Lower

Medicare Conversion factor are up but payouts are still down compared to last year. Healthcare professionals will see a slight upward adjustment to their Medicare payments starting March 9 after President Biden signs the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2024.  Really fortunately, although the 2024 CAA increases the conversion factor (CF) finalized for calendar year (CY) […]
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3.36% Cut in The Proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Pay Schedule

3.36% Cut in The Proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Pay Schedule

What’s the news: The AMA is emphatically stating that the proposed 3.36% reduction in the 2024 Medicare physician payment schedule is ill-advised, posing a threat to the accessibility of high-quality physician care for the 50 million plus elderly individuals enrolled in Medicare. The AMA President emphasized that with escalating costs associated with medical practice; another […]
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New codes in 2022 for principal care and chronic care management services

New codes in 2022 for principal care and chronic care management services

There are three new codes in the care management section of the CPT codebook, covering principal care management and chronic care management services. Here’s what physicians need to know about them. Principal Care Management Services New CPT codes have been added in 2022 to describe “Principal Care Management Services.” These codes are like chronic care […]
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California lawmakers introduce bill to mandate vaccinations in workplaces

California lawmakers introduce bill to mandate vaccinations in workplaces

The bill comes in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking President Biden’s nationwide vaccine mandate for large employers. A group of California lawmakers, led by District 15 Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, have introduced a bill proposing that all businesses in the state mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees. Assembly Bill 1993 would require […]
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CMS Proposes Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs

CMS Proposes Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs

On January 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs proposed rule, representing CMS’ first major policy proposals for these programs in the Biden Administration. The changes proposed are, overall, modest in scope. In the […]
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In-Network, Complex COVID-19 Hospitalizations Cost More Than $128K

In-Network, Complex COVID-19 Hospitalizations Cost More Than $128K

COVID-19 hospitalization costs varied by state, with the highest in-network cost averaging $128,650. According to a new FAIR Health study, COVID-19 hospitalization cost varies by state, with complex hospitalizations for COVID-19 in-network average cost maxing out at $128,650. “Behind the numbers of our COVID-19 Cost Tracker are the individuals who have contracted COVID-19. As a […]
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More Medicare Advantage plans will offer nonmedical benefits in 2022, finds Avalere

More Medicare Advantage plans will offer nonmedical benefits in 2022, finds Avalere

  More plans will offer meals, nutrition, transportation or in-home support services at a $0 premium in 2022. Ahead of the annual election period, which began on October 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published information on MA and Part D plan (PDP) premiums, benefit offerings and star ratings. Avalere analyzed that data […]
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Optum partners with SSM Health and will employ certain revenue cycle staff

Optum partners with SSM Health and will employ certain revenue cycle staff

To reduce care variation, SSM and Optum will use clinical technologies, advanced analytic and data-driven insights at the point of care. Certain SSM Health revenue cycle staff and hospital care management will become employees of Optum. They will continue to work in their current locations across Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. WHY THIS MATTERS As […]
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