In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, independent medical practices face many challenges, from adapting to new healthcare methods to major regulatory changes. The main focus of this study is to increase Medicare spending. With the right strategies, independent medical practices can achieve financial sustainability while continuing to provide quality care to their patients. This […]
2025 CMS Proposed Rule: Announcing this week a proposed rule for inpatient and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) for the fiscal year of 2025 (FY), federal officials cited an increasing focus on social determinants of health (SDoH). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also prioritized improving maternal health and strengthening emergency preparedness, which noted […]
Prior Authorization Reform, a lengthy and often frustrating process for payers to control costs, remains a major challenge for doctors. A recent AMA survey of 1,001 physicians found that 89% of physicians believe prior licensure hurts clinical practice. A surprising 33% said the worst things, such as death or hospitalization, were rights-related. The AMA recognized […]
It’s April, and that means it’s time for proposed rules for fiscal year 2025 to emerge. But the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prevailed this year, releasing proposed rules for inpatient rehabilitation, psychiatric patients, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in late March. I thought a suggestion was worth mentioning. Additional Benefits for […]
Streamlining Specialty Care: CMS’s Innovation Center prioritizes strategies that improve personalized healthcare information, implement financial services, and support segment-based classifications. A value-based approach to care must address underlying issues and individualized care to reduce patient outcomes. CMS’s innovation strategy describes ongoing efforts to integrate personalized care into the healthcare system. Previous studies have shown that […]
Chiropractic billing tips: Running a successful chiropractic center involves more than just delivering exceptional patient care. A critical yet often overlooked aspect is ensuring a smooth and efficient billing process. With a constant flow of patients, managing insurance complexities and ever-changing regulations can quickly become overwhelming. 8 key chiropractic billing tips to keep your Revenue […]
CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule: On January 17, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization final rule (CMS-0057-F). The final rule aims to reduce the burden on patients, providers, and payers by consolidating the authorization process and moving the industry electronically. Affected payers must […]
Auditing Facility Services: Changes to evaluation and management (E/M) services in 2021 and 2023 have excited and confused auditors. I am glad that the seemingly trivial criteria required for the level of service (history, testing) are an advantage to confusion when implementing new medical decisions (MDM) in a balanced environment. In early 2021, AAPC Services […]
Prior authorization transformation of consent is a source of worry and concern for everyone involved: patients, members, providers, and payers. What was needed was a structure to coordinate all stakeholders and organize the program. In January 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized requirements to expedite the authorization process; this requirement will […]
Getting bogged down by authorization denials? You’re not alone. Here, we explore common roadblocks and effective strategies to keep your revenue flowing smoothly. Challenge: Drowning in Last-Minute Authorizations Solution: Divide and Conquer with a Multi-Team Approach Separate teams can tackle present and future authorizations. The “Today” team verifies benefits and identifies authorization needs for upcoming […]