Tag: medicare payment

How To Manage Accounts Receivable

How To Manage Accounts Receivable

Sound accounts receivable (A/R) management is integral to the financial health of a medical practice. The ability to maximize collections and profitability depends on it. Thus, it’s important that practices know what processes they can implement to ensure a smooth-running AR operation. David Norris, MD, MBA, an anesthesiologist in Wichita, Kan. and author of The […]
When is a PA an Assistant Surgeon

When is a PA an Assistant Surgeon?

A physician assistant (PA) serves as an assistant surgeon only to suture and close an incision. There is no documentation that the PA performed any other function to assist the primary surgeon during the surgery performed on the Medicare patient, such as providing extra hands needed for tasks which required more than the surgeon’s two […]
CMS Proposes Updates for OPPS, Pitches Price Transparency Rules

CMS Proposes Updates for OPPS, Pitches Price Transparency Rules

The agency dropped proposals for three key payment programs aimed at cutting administrative burden and boosting price transparency. CMS has released three new proposed payment programs that aim to reduce administrative burden, put patients over paperwork, and increase price transparency for patients, the agency said in a statement emailed to journalists. Specifically, CMS has proposed […]
MEDPAC Calls For End To ‘Incident To’ Billing

MEDPAC Calls For End To ‘Incident To’ Billing

“Incident to” billing by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) would be eliminated if Congress adopts a recent recommendation from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). In its June quarterly report to Congress, MedPAC suggests requiring APRNs and PAs to bill Medicare payment directly for all their services, rather than under the national provider identifier […]
Medicare Payments For Top 10 ASC Codes

Medicare Payments For Top 10 ASC Codes Through 2019

Medicare payments for the top 10 current procedural terminology codes performed by ASCs are expected to remain relatively stable in 2019 compared to 2018, according to VMG Health. 66984: Cataract surgery with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (one-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique Estimated 2017 payments: $1,172 Estimated 2018 payments: $1,206 Estimated 2019 payments: $1,182 45380: […]
Medicare Advantage Plans and the Two-Midnight Rule

Medicare Advantage Plans and the Two-Midnight Rule

Controversy continues to swirl around this subject. A recent article of mine focused on the argument that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have to follow the two-midnight rule. It certainly generated buzz; I received a number of emails with comments and questions. First, I want to note that I love getting comments and questions. I can’t […]