Part B News | Part B News

CMS will limit the scope of review on appeals of certain post-payment denials

08/31/2015

Wave goodbye to a frustrating source of denials now that auditing bodies, including Medicare administrative contractors (MAC) and recovery auditors (RACs), can’t provide a new reason for claims denials during the first two levels of the appeals process.

Use assistant-at-surgery payment indicator to guide how much documentation you need

08/31/2015

by: Scott Kraft

Pay attention to whether an assistant-at-surgery must be medically necessary to determine how much documentation you need to provide.

Social media not working? Look at page rank, other benefits before pulling the plug

08/31/2015

by: Roy Edroso

Social media for physician practices can be frustrating because an increase in Web traffic doesn’t always deliver an obvious boost in foot traffic — but consider what it can do for your practice before giving up on it.

OIG opinion: Free cancer drug for patients through specialty pharmacy OK

08/31/2015

by: Roy Edroso

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) indicates that a specialty pharmacy may give free drugs to patients — but only under limited circumstances.

Document correct language, exact time before billing time-based E/M

08/31/2015

by: Roy Edroso

Question: A physician submitted documentation for what looks like a medical team conference and wants to bill time-based E/M for counseling/coordination of care. The documentation says the team “discussed the patient’s treatment course to date, the progress of the patient and barriers to discharge and goals for the next week.”

Assistant-surgeon use falls for most-billed surgical procedures

08/31/2015

by: Richard Scott

Providers are billing for assistants less frequently for commonly performed procedures such as knee replacement surgeries and coronary artery bypass despite, in some instances, rising rates of total surgical episodes.

Login

User Name:
Password:
Remember me Forgot password
Welcome to the new Part B News Online. If you are a returning user having trouble logging in, please click here.