When the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020 was signed into law on March 6th, a provision in the Act that waives the geographic and originating site restrictions on telehealth services for the elderly garnered less attention, but could have a very important role to play in combatting COVID-19 - particularly if the waiver authority is further expanded by Congress. Learn more about the emergency telehealth waivers.
Read MoreOn January 21, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a decision (under National Coverage Determination (NCD) 30.3.3) to cover acupuncture for Medicare patients, specifically those with chronic low back pain (cLBP).
Read MoreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2020 (the “2020 MPFS”) on November 1, 2019. The 2020 MPFS finalizes six new CPT codes for e-Visits, providing new opportunities for physician practices to be reimbursed for conducting digital health assessments and evaluations for their patients and for remote patient monitoring companies to add these capabilities to their platforms.
Read MoreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2020 (the “2020 MPFS”) on November 1, 2019, finalizing some important changes relating to Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) services, but leaving many questions unanswered as of yet.
Read MoreIn April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new set of payment models meant to allow primary care providers deliver better care at a lower cost to their patients by removing unneccessary administrative and adjust payouts from procedures to outcomes.
Read MoreOn March 14, 2019, CMS issued “Technical Corrections” to address errors in the 2019 Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (“MPFS”) published on November 23, 2018. One of these corrections addresses “incident to” billing by clinical staff, and has important implications for Remote Patient Monitoring under CPT Code 99457.
Read MoreBeginning January 1, 2019, physicians and other Qualified Healthcare Providers (“QHCPs”) eligible to independently bill for E/M services can obtain standalone reimbursement for Interprofessional Internet Consultations using CPT Codes 99446-99449, 99451, and 99452.
Read MoreThe final 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (the “Rule”), released on November 1st, creates three new codes in the category of Chronic Care Remote Physiologic Monitoring (“CCRPM”) for (1) initial set-up and patient education, (2) initial device supply, and (3) monitoring data and interacting with patients or caregivers.
Read MoreThe final 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, released by CMS on November 1, 2018, includes a new code that physicians may use to bill for remote evaluation of images to determine whether or not an in-person office visit is necessary. Learn more about HCPCS Code G2010 and how it can be used in medical practices.
Read MoreIn its Final Rule for the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule released on Friday, CMS introduced a new code, HCPCS G2012, allowing physicians and other qualified healthcare professionals (“QHCPs”) to be reimbursed for “virtual check-ins” with patients who aren’t sure whether or not their symptoms warrant an in-office visit. Learn more about virtual check-ins and how they can be used by practices.
Read MoreCMS recently released a Proposed Rule suggesting significant changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program, aimed at accelerating the path for providers participating in a Medicare ACO to take on risk for the cost and care of their patient populations. The following is a summary of key changes proposed to the MSSP.
Read MoreWith the July 12, 2018 release of its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2019, CMS further opened the door for use and reimbursement of Remote Patient Monitoring (or Remote Physiologic Monitoring, "RPM") services. In doing so, CMS recognizes the role that new communications technologies play in increasing patient engagement and reducing unnecessary costs.
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