Month: December 2020

AMA Creates CPT Codes for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine

AMA Creates CPT Codes for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine

In anticipation of an emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Medical Association (AMA) has created Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. AMA assigned Category 1 CPT code 91302 to the vaccine manufactured by the Cambridge, United Kingdom (UK) company, as well as vaccine administration CPT codes […]
Congress Provides Relief on Medicare Payment; Passes Surprise Billing

Congress Provides Relief on Medicare Payment; Passes Surprise Billing

  The $1.4 trillion omnibus legislative package passed by Congress late Monday includes COVID-19 related relief for physicians, imposes new restrictions on surprise billing, and funds the government through fiscal 2021, which ends Sept. 30. The legislation mitigates budget neutrality cuts that would have slashed physician Medicare payment rates by 10.2% and extends the moratorium on the […]
What Does The Future of Telehealth LookLike

What Does The Future of Telehealth LookLike?

The telehealth industry saw demand surge significantly this spring as Covid-19 began. Telehealth appointments are ideal for a pandemic: patients can seek an informed opinion about their symptoms and be referred for a medical test without having to go to the office physically and placing people at risk. But while the focus on telehealth has […]
CMS Updates Part B Payment Information For Covid-19 Treatments

CMS Updates Part B Payment Information For Covid-19 Treatments

A version of this article was first published December 16, 2020, by HCPro’s Revenue Cycle Advisor, a sibling publication to HealthLeaders. CMS released new and updated FAQs on Medicare Part B billing and reimbursement for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. The information updated December 9 is included in Section BB, Drugs and Vaccines under Part B of CMS’ COVID-19 […]
CMS Releases HCPCS Codes For Covid-19 Antibody Drug

CMS Releases HCPCS Codes For Covid-19 Antibody Drug

  A version of this article was first published December 14, 2020, by HCPro’s Revenue Cycle Advisor, a sibling publication to HealthLeaders. CMS recently released two new HCPCS Level II codes for Regeneron’s antibody drugs casirivimab and imdevimab, effective for dates of service on or after November 21. The creation of the new codes comes […]
CMS Releases New ICD-10-PCS Codes for COVID-19

CMS Releases New ICD-10-PCS Codes for COVID-19

New procedure codes do not impact the MS-DRG assignment. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released 21 new ICD-10-PCS codes that apply to the vaccination or treatment of COVID-19. These codes are effective January 1, 2021. The procedure codes introduce six specific medications that can be used for treatment of COVID-19. The drugs […]
Managing Telemedicine Risks During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Managing Telemedicine Risks During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As more US patients are diagnosed with COVID-19, a number of industry associations have recognized telemedicine—the practice of using technology to deliver healthcare remotely—as a viable means to give patients access to care and minimize exposure to the disease. Adoption of virtual care has increased as the pandemic has significantly imperiled the country and the […]
Master 2021 CPT Changes With This Expert Overview

Master 2021 CPT Changes With This Expert Overview

CPT® 2021 includes 206 new codes, 69 revised codes, and 54 deleted codes. All sections of CPT® received changes in codes and guidelines, except Anesthesia. The most significant changes are to codes for office/other outpatient evaluation and management (E/M), prolonged services, breast repair and reconstruction, cardiovascular shunting procedures, and COVID-19 testing. Here is an overview […]