Part B News | Part B News

Office the most popular POS for CCM; watch for claims filed from other locations

06/22/2020

The primary chronic care management (CCM) code 99490 and the complex CCM codes (99487, 99489) requiring extended time and elevated medical decision-making have been rising in utilization in recent years. Between 2017 and 2018, use of these codes rose 23%, 78% and 285%, respectively, according to the latest available Medicare claims data.

CMS allows some leeway on telehealth AWV exams, but you should practice caution

06/15/2020

by: Roy Edroso

While CMS has shown some flexibility about the telehealth services you’re permitted to use during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), experts warn that the situation does not excuse inappropriate use of virtual examinations, which might land you in trouble when the authorities and aggrieved patients start retracing your steps.

ACOG warns of quality, cost losses ahead of planned 2021 E/M changes

06/15/2020

by: Richard Scott

The new E/M office visit paradigm that’s scheduled to go live Jan. 1, 2021, has at least one specialty society sounding the alarm. In a May 28 meeting with CMS, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) alerted the agency that the E/M changes could cut payments and hamper access to sound maternal care during a pregnancy.

Virtual reality: Follow 5 steps to bring telehealth to your medical practice

06/15/2020

by: Julia Kyles, CPC

Research payer policies, be ready to provide tech support to patients and have a plan for patients who can’t wait for an appointment. These are three tips from medical practices that have started telehealth programs to maintain continuity of care during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

Incorporate mental health, substance use screening into your practice

06/15/2020

by: Marla Durben Hirsch

Your practice doesn’t have to specialize in behavioral health to offer mental health and substance abuse screening. Not only can it help your patients, but it’s a good way to bring in more revenue.

Follow 7 steps to maintain compliant behavioral health screening

06/15/2020

by: Marla Durben Hirsch

Incorporate basic mental health and substance use screening into the practice’s workflow to catch health issues that clinicians might miss. Doing so will improve patient care and protect the practice from claims that it failed to provide adequate care.

Cognitive assessment code 99483 paces pack of behavioral health services

06/15/2020

by: Richard Scott

Glimpsing the trends behind a suite of behavioral health services that CMS rolled out in 2018 reveals a slow rate of adoption, despite some significant payment opportunities.

Telehealth a great boon for advance care planning — but don’t get sloppy with consent

06/08/2020

by: Roy Edroso

Among the telehealth services newly available to many providers and their patients, advance care planning (ACP) offers an especially rich opportunity to providers with homebound patients. But experts warn that, outside of the telehealth exemption, you should pay special attention to the many requirements that still apply.

When patient refuses to wear a mask, stand on rights or work to accommodate

06/08/2020

by: Roy Edroso

With many Americans refusing to wear masks in public despite the continuing COVID-19 health emergency, you should be prepared for patients who argue that they can’t and won’t wear one to your practice.

CPT-listed times are OK for telehealth E/M code selection, CMS says

06/08/2020

by: Laura Evans

When determining a telehealth E/M code level based on time, practices can use the average times listed for each office visit code in the CPT manual, the agency stated in an interim final rule issued April 30 in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

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.