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Subsequent AWV code surges over 3-year period; NPPs advance fastest

03/08/2021

While the volume of Welcome to Medicare visits has grown modestly and initial annual wellness visits (AWVs) have declined in recent years, the use of subsequent AWV claims has surged at a 26% growth rate.

When a fragile patient fails to show, weigh risks, consider emergency outreach

03/01/2021

by: Roy Edroso

While missed appointments can be a drain on your practice, it’s worth remembering they’re occasionally a red flag for patient distress. Use common sense to develop a protocol for spotting situations that you don’t want to spiral out of control.

In Brooks-LaSure nomination for CMS chief, expect renewed focus on coverage, fed programs

03/01/2021

by: Roy Edroso

Should the post go to the Biden administration’s top choice, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, a health policy veteran of various public and private sector roles, will be the new CMS Administrator. The White House announced her nomination Feb. 19.

CMS adds to list of COVID-related services eligible for the CS modifier

03/01/2021

by: Richard Scott

You can add a half dozen codes to the list of services that may be reported with modifier CS (Cost-sharing), which requires Medicare to cover beneficiary cost-sharing during office visits and other encounters for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

Expect the COVID-19 emergency to persist; you can plan on 60 days’ notice

03/01/2021

by: Julia Kyles

Don’t be surprised if the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) lasts until 2022 and expect 60 days’ notice before the PHE expires. That’s the upshot of the letter HHS Acting Secretary Norris Cochran sent to governors Jan. 25.

CMS reiterates bundled payment for visit complexity code G2211

03/01/2021

by: Sarah Gould

Don’t forget that the long-awaited primary care add-on code is in a deep freeze for at least three years.

Remote monitoring codes, new in the billing arsenal, flash revenue upside

03/01/2021

by: Richard Scott

Providers are taking a cautious jump into a suite of remote monitoring and virtual evaluation services that Medicare has approved for use in recent years, but the early returns reveal significant revenue possibilities.

If your employees won’t vaccinate, tread carefully before taking action

02/22/2021

by: Roy Edroso

While the COVID-19 vaccination campaign expands and becomes a topic at your practice, you can’t ignore anti-discrimination and labor laws. If you want to mandate that your employees get vaccinated, make sure you’re not missing a step before you declare yourself ready to dismiss those who abstain.

Mind the time rules: There are two ways of tracking time for E/M visits

02/22/2021

by: Julia Kyles, CPC

Practices can use the new time-based coding method for E/M office visits (99202-99205, 99212-99215) and continue to use counseling/coordination of care time for other E/M visits that have a typical time associated with the code. But if coding staff and billing practitioners confuse the two methods, you will be confronted with improper coding and payments.

Patients not back from COVID-19? Mobilize your tech outreach, harness your data

02/22/2021

by: Roy Edroso

If you still need to get patients back in the office after a year of COVID-inflicted downturn, put your focus on the methods that kept patients showing up before the plague hit, including the trusty, if sometimes overlooked, patient portal.

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