Part B News | Part B News

With the 3-day SNF rule back, look to build alliances to stay compliant

06/05/2023

Encouraging results from the use of waivers to the Medicare three-day skilled nursing facility (SNF) rule have prominent health care authorities, including some within the federal health care bureaucracy, challenging the rule’s necessity. But the rule is probably not going away soon, so providers whose patients make heavy use of skilled nursing should consider alliances that will exempt them for it.

Consider updating enrollment, weigh security risks if you offer telehealth from home

06/05/2023

by: Julia Kyles, CPC

Practitioners who perform telehealth from home (TFH) must update their enrollment before the end of the year. The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) waiver that allows physicians and non-physician practitioners (NPP) to bill for TFH under the practice’s address will expire Dec. 31, 2023.

Crack the modifier 25 code: Clear confusion, review scenarios

06/05/2023

by: Courtney Crozier, MA, RHIA, CCS, CDIP

The AMA published additional guidance for modifier 25 (Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician or other qualified healthcare professional on the same day of the procedure or other service) in its recent publication of CPT Assistant, released March 2023.

Sanctions vs. COVID non-compliant docs don’t automatically lift with end of PHE

06/05/2023

by: Roy Edroso

Question: One of our former physicians had his license pulled for passing “COVID misinformation” during the public health emergency (PHE). Now that the PHE is over, what are his chances of getting his license back?

CMS launches application period for ’24 Shared Savings ACO program

06/05/2023

by: Richard Scott

Mark your calendar if you’re interested in entering a value-based care arrangement through the Medicare Shared Savings Program, the federal government's largest accountable care organization (ACO) network. The deadline to apply for 2024 is June 15.

Pandemic cut most nursing facility E/M, but 99309 looks strong

06/05/2023

by: Roy Edroso

Notwithstanding the pandemic waivers of the three-day rule, nursing facility E/M and discharge codes, used by skilled nursing facilities, mostly took a hit during the public health emergency (PHE). As noted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, there was a decline in SNF admissions during that period, though the length of SNF stays and spending increased.

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.