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Money transfers that must be reported under the Sunshine Act

02/07/2013

Be ready for the following transactions between physicians and vendors – including drug, medical device or biological manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) – to be reported publicly thanks to the Sunshine Act final rule, published Feb. 1.

EHR stage 2 target may be easier to hit for multi-office practices

02/07/2013

by: Roy Edroso

Attaining stage 2 meaningful use could be easier for providers who practice in more than one location, according to a CMS clarification in its new and updated FAQs.

Benchmark: Claims denials with ALF, SNF place-of-service codes, 2010-2011

02/07/2013

by: Lauren C. Williams

The charts below evaluate how providers are billing Part B services in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs). The graphs show denial rates above 5% for top utilized codes billed with place-of-service (POS) code 31 for SNFs and POS 13 for ALFs.

Part B News briefs

02/07/2013

by: Part B News staff

Learn about two physician quality reporting system (PQRS) updates.

HIPAA ‘mega-rule’ adds EHR vendors, storage facilities to business associate list

02/01/2013

by: Lauren Williams and Tina Irgang

Prepare to draw up new business associate agreements for entities, such as electronic health record (EHR) system vendors and storage companies, by Sept. 23 to comply with provisions in HHS’ HIPAA “mega-rule.”

Take care of patient notices, records and more after HIPAA ‘mega-rule’

01/31/2013

by: Roy Edroso

One of the biggest challenges facing practices under the final HIPAA mega-rule is the stakes are higher when you do experience a data breach. Experts advise you to prepare now by tightening up your rule-required oversight of other areas before the Sept. 23 compliance date.

New penalty system, electronic PHI protection rules top ‘mega-rule’ changes

01/31/2013

by: Lauren Williams and Tina Irgang

HHS’ long awaited HIPAA “mega-rule” combined four final rules updating policies to privacy and security, electronic data storage and third-party disclosure of genetic information. While the biggest changes affected breach notification and business associate requirements, here are eight noteworthy provisions from the rule:

Is duration an element of HPI? If not, does it matter?

01/31/2013

by: Roy Edroso

We recently saw an online forum discussion in which experts debated an issue we’d never seen before: Is “duration” an element of HPI (history of present illness)?

Add some insulation to your business associate agreements

01/31/2013

by: Roy Edroso

The expansion of the business associate (BA) designation to a number of vendors not previously considered BAs means you have to tighten up your handling of those relationships,

Benchmark of the Week: Top-denied services billed with mods. 57 and 25

01/31/2013

by: Lauren Williams

These two charts evaluate how providers bill E/Ms linked to surgery and additional procedures.

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