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Prompt physicians to meet PQRS goals with charge capture software

09/15/2014

Just a few clicks in a charge capture software program could help your providers meet physician quality reporting system (PQRS) requirements.

Denials for prolonged services flat or improved – but watch for telehealth bump

09/15/2014

by: Roy Edroso

An expected uptick in services in 2015 may mean greater contractor attention to prolonged E/M services codes after denial rates were flat or down between 2011 and 2012.

ONC tech final rule may ease burden on vendors

09/15/2014

by: Roy Edroso

A new final rule outlining the “2014 Edition Release 2” standards for developers and vendors of electronic health records (EHR) may make it easier for vendors to meet requirements mandated by CMS.

CMS retracts Open Payments data, gives providers until Sept. 8 to dispute

09/01/2014

by: Ben Hartman

You may not find information about payments that vendors and manufacturers made to your physicians on the Open Payments website when it goes live Sept. 30.

Patients unable to verify status at risk of losing ACA coverage Sept. 30

09/01/2014

by: Scott Kraft

Some of your patients with plans through the federal health insurance marketplace may be without coverage as of Sept. 30 if they are unable to verify inconsistencies in citizenship and immigration data.

Enrollment application timelines favor using Web-based PECOS application

09/01/2014

by: Scott Kraft

If you’re thinking about switching to Medicare’s online system to enroll new providers and revalidate or update provider enrollment instead of the traditional CMS-855 paper forms, here’s an extra incentive — your application may be processed faster when done online.

Watch for appropriate use of G modifiers as MACs increase attention

09/01/2014

by: Roy Edroso

Ensure your claims accurately portray the services your practice provided — even if you attach a G modifier because you don’t believe you’ll be paid for it. Auditors are paying new attention to those cases.

CMS issues dates for ICD-10 acknowledgment testing weeks

09/01/2014

CMS will allow acknowledgment testing at any time before the Oct. 1, 2015, ICD-10 deadline, but it instructed Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) to promote it during three specific weeks:

CMS hasn’t done enough to reduce duplicative post-payment audits

09/01/2014

by: Ben Hartman

Because most of the post-payment audits are conducted by RACs, CMS created a database to track RAC activities to prevent duplicative reviews, but the data is unreliable.

Psychologist unable to collect unemployment benefits after HIPAA breach

09/01/2014

by: Ben Hartman

A decision to deny unemployment benefits to a psychologist who lost a flash drive with protected health information (PHI) on it was upheld Aug. 4 by an appeals court.

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