On July 13, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule seeking public feedback on proposed policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues. These changes are set to take effect on or after January 1, 2024. The proposed rule for […]
The 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposal includes a reduction of 3.4% to the conversion factor that determines Medicare payment rates. This reduction will widen the gap between practice expenses and reimbursement. If the proposal is approved, the new conversion rate will be $32.7476. Here are some other key highlights of the CMS proposal: The […]
After years of longing for an update, the U.S. healthcare system is finally undergoing the crucial modernization it desperately needs. Dedicated IT professionals within healthcare organizations are now diligently developing enhanced electronic health records (EHRs) that promise increased efficiency and effectiveness. This transformative process entails integrating EHRs with state-of-the-art patient-access technologies. Consequently, various healthcare practitioners, […]
A new bill pending in Congress could make permanent the telehealth changes that proved beneficial to physicians and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a leading physician group is now backing site-neutral payment for medical services. These two topics have recently been the subject of renewed discussion due to proposals by federal policy makers. CONNECT […]
Table of Contents The Top 6 Changes in Medical Billing Implementation of ICD-11 Increased Use of Telehealth Services Changes in Reimbursement Rates Increased Focus on Patient-Centered Care Greater Emphasis on Data Security Focus on Price Transparency The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and medical billing is no exception. With the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, it’s […]
Contrary to widespread hopes, the growth in telehealth brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic probably won’t lower health care costs. But it may make some services more widely accessible. A new Kaiser Family Foundation study compares average 2020 commercial insurance payments for evaluation and management and mental health therapy claims for services provided via […]
In a year when many people have very few resources, it is important for healthcare organizations to strategically identify areas of concern on a unique and broader spectrum. Healthcare business owners and clinicians, from the front desk to the C-suite, should at a minimum conduct a risk assessment of these areas and ultimately have policies […]
Opponents of the loosened interstate telehealth restrictions that were instituted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic argued that it would result in out-of-state doctors luring patients away from their current physicians. But a new study finds that most out-of-state telehealth is used for continuity of care, not acquiring new patients. The study compares interstate […]
Healthcare provider organizations and clinicians are fortunate that telehealth has gone mainstream as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth opens up many new avenues to expand access to care, streamline the delivery of care, create new workflows and improve patient outcomes. Hopefully the Congress and state legislatures will act soon to ensure the temporary […]
Make sure your facility is aware of all the Medicare policy changes that permit payment for expanded services. Telehealth as a healthcare delivery platform has been in existence since the late 1960s. It was first introduced through projects initiated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Nebraska Psychology Institute. The declaration of […]