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Single payer will stall, E/M changes will stay on track, ransomware will proliferate

01/06/2020

Part B News editors surveyed readers and interviewed experts to come up with 11 predictions of what will affect physician practices in 2020.

PBN’s 2019 predictions: Hit on M&A and MIPS, missed on E/M codes, Obamacare

01/06/2020

by: Part B News Staff

Part B News staff holds ourselves accountable for our predictions every year by sharing with our readers how we fared with last year’s predictions. Here are 2019’s results.

Practices express desire to use new CCM codes, while virtual visits remain untapped

01/06/2020

by: Richard Scott

Many providers anticipate seizing the new chronic care management (CCM) add-on code that’s debuting Jan. 1, 2020, but far fewer plan to dive into the virtual realm of tech-backed E/M services in the new year.

X marks the spot: Find 5 scenarios ripe for X modifier use as CCI updates guidance

12/30/2019

by: Jim Dresbach

The latest edition of the National Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) Policy Manual features multiple examples of how to correctly report the series of X modifiers – XE, XS, XP and XU – that CMS debuted several years ago.

AI comes to medical transcription, offering accuracy and ease-of-use advantages

12/30/2019

by: Roy Edroso

The arrival of a new machine learning-enabled medical transcription service from a division of online retail giant Amazon is further evidence of the growth of that market — and the reasonable rates for the service might appeal to even small practices.

Adopt 7 tips to handle copayment waivers without getting into trouble

12/30/2019

by: Marla Durben Hirsch

Although Medicare prohibits routine waivers of patient copayments, practices can waive a copayment when a patient has a financial hardship or the practice determines the copayment is uncollectible.

Only charge hospice patients for non-end-of-life issues — unless you’re the attending

12/30/2019

by: Roy Edroso

Question: A patient was brought into our practice by her family for treatment of a sprained ankle. We were told she is currently receiving the Part A hospice benefit. Do I need to contact the patient’s hospice provider, interdisciplinary group (IDG) or anyone else for billing purposes? Do I need to add anything to the billing?

Even without being required, X modifier use is on the upswing

12/30/2019

by: Roy Edroso

Despite CMS’ dithering, X modifiers seem to have picked up some slack from modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) since being introduced in 2015.

When you challenge the feds on HIPAA, plan for defeat

12/16/2019

by: Roy Edroso

A large HIPAA breach settlement after a hospital system’s failure to follow the feds’ suggested solution is a reminder that when it comes to enforcement, the government is holding all the cards.

CMS reacts to opioid crisis with new codes for OUD treatment, bundled payments

12/16/2019

by: Jim Dresbach

Be on the lookout for three new codes related to opioid treatment and telehealth services that you can add to your repertoire starting Jan. 1, 2020, compliments of the final 2020 Medicare physician fee schedule.

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