Tag: CMS

Medical-Coding-Audits-Trends-and-Guide

Medical Coding Audits: Trends and Guide for Physicians

You’ve received a request for medical records from a payer, who is going to conduct an audit on your claims. Your Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is excellent, the notes are voluminous, your providers are well-versed at coding. If anything, you under code! You provide excellent care for your patients and achieve great outcomes. No […]
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CMS-Aims-To-Streamline-Prior-Authorization

CMS Aims To Streamline Prior Authorization To Reform MA

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) both support the agency’s effort to improve Medicare Advantage (MA). In an attempt to reform MA, CMS released a proposed rule that aims to streamline prior authorization, promote health equity, and curb deceptive marketing. The Biden administration has shown a commitment to increasing oversight of […]
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Successful-Alternative-Payment-Models-CMMI

The Successful Alternative Payment Models from CMMI, To Date

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has launched more than 50 alternative payment and care delivery model tests, with 33 models now or still operational, according to CMMI’s sixth report to Congress on its progress. These model tests have impacted the lives of millions of patients. In the two-year period covering the report, […]
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Policy-Changes-for-Medicare-Payments-Under-the-PFS

Policy Changes for Medicare Payments Under the PFS

On November 2, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued CY 2023 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (Final Rule), implementing certain updates and policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), effective on or after January 1, 2023. The final […]
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Medicare-Advantage-Bill-Response-To-Complaints

The Medicare Advantage Bill Was Crafted In Response To Complaints

The bill was crafted partly in response to rising complaints among seniors over aggressive marketing practices for Medicare Advantage plans. U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Dr. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, have introduced the bipartisan Medicare & You Handbook Improvement Act, which is meant to ensure that when seniors assess their Medicare coverage options, they have the necessary […]
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Digital-Health-and-Healthcare-IT-Post-Covid

The Future of Digital Health and Healthcare IT Post-Covid

Implementing and pursuing innovation in digital health and healthcare IT should be a priority for all U.S. healthcare providers and payers — especially as the lessons and response to the Covid-19 pandemic become permanently part of our everyday lives. The outbreak of Covid-19 was a “black swan” event that dramatically accelerated the evolution and acceptance […]
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Renewal-PHE

The Renewal of the PHE Indicates Public Health Emergency Exists

As expected, the COVID-19 PHE (Public Health Emergency) was extended for the 11th time, on October 13th, 2022, another 90-days, which will extend many of the CARES Act 1135 Waivers through January 11th, 2023. This extension confuses many healthcare professionals because in a 60-Minutes news interview, President Joe Biden, stated, that the “pandemic is over.” […]
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2023-Medicare-Final-Rules-Published

Highly Anticipated 2023 Medicare Final Rules Published

The final rules become effective Jan. 1, 2023. Amid this election season, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published final rules for the 2023 Part B Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Shared Savings Program, the Outpatient Prospective Payment (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System, the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective […]
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2023-MPFS-and-Quality-Payment-Program-Final-Rule-Released

2023 MPFS and Quality Payment Program Final Rule Released

The conversion factor is down but certain public health emergency flexibilities will continue. The 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Quality Payment Program final rule, released Nov. 1, allows Part B physician payment for behavioral healthcare, cancer screening, and dental care. But while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues its focus […]
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Is-Medicare-Advantage-Really-a-Disadvantage

Is Medicare Advantage Really a Disadvantage?

It’s autumn, and along with leaves changing color, pumpkin spice lattes, and cooler weather comes an avalanche of TV ads, commercials, and telephone marketing calls, all entreating us to believe that Medicare Advantage (MA) is the best thing since the invention of the cell phone. With open enrolment season upon us, it’s critical to examine […]
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