Part B News
Patient identification errors: Solve mistakes to reduce denials and risk
10/08/2018
by: Nicole Votta
It’s an all-too-frequent event: A patient registration representative checks in a patient and finds more than one record with the same name. Which is the correct record? And what are the consequences of choosing the wrong one?
Several specialties make a good show among most-used E/M codes
10/08/2018
by: Roy Edroso
The provider types that tend to make the most use of the 10 office E/M codes (99201-99215) are a mixed bag of specialists and primary care providers, but the big news in the most recent Medicare utilization numbers from 2017 is the continuing rise in use of the codes by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).
New OIG RFI shows Stark reform push is real — but results may be small
10/01/2018
by: Roy Edroso

A new request for information (RFI) from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on Stark law suggest that reform, a longtime topic of discussion among health care analysts, may be coming — but probably at a slower rate of speed than reformists would like.

As advance care planning booms, use 5 tips to expand your offerings
10/01/2018
by: Richard Scott
Practices have been part of a boom in advance care planning (ACP) in recent years, but CMS’ open-ended rules and the wide eligibility parameters for ACP codes 99497-99498 suggest plenty of room for growth.
Easing the conversation: A game to promote advance care planning
10/01/2018
by: Richard Scott

Practices that want to introduce a dose of levity into their advance care planning efforts can find an outlet in card games that steer patients through what are sometimes challenging conversations.

Proposed rule would eliminate ASC transfer agreement requirements
10/01/2018
by: Nicole Votta
CMS could cut a broad range of requirements and reduce the required frequency of certain activities based on the proposed Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction  rule. The rule would help further CMS’ commitment to reduce and streamline the regulatory burden on providers while promoting patient safety, CMS says.
Crime in the waiting room? If you call the cops, use caution
10/01/2018
by: Roy Edroso
Question: I’ve seen stories on the news about people in waiting rooms getting the police called on them. In that kind of situation, would my staff or I have to worry about HIPAA or about making a bad call and getting in trouble and possibly sued?
Large pay gains tied to greater advance care planning activity in 2017
10/01/2018
by: Richard Scott

Claims for advance care planning codes 99497-99498 increased significantly between 2016 and 2017, topping out at nearly 1.3 million services collectively, according to the most recent Medicare claims data.

Track patient population, negotiate prices and waste less flu vaccine this fall
09/24/2018
by: Roy Edroso
To make your flu season vaccination plan a successful one — and not a waste of your patients’ time and your practice’s money — plan your ordering and administration of the vaccine and follow a few simple rules.
ICD-11 is here and U.S. is mulling its use for mortality reporting
09/24/2018
by: Laura Evans, CPC
As coders mark the third anniversary of the U.S. adoption of ICD-10 this October, its newly minted successor is waiting in the wings, nearly ready for adoption.
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