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Heed warnings from experts when dealing with sequestration cuts

06/14/2013

Readers responding to a Part B News survey overwhelmingly focused on trimming expenses to offset the financial impact of the 2% sequestration cut. But slashing to save isn’t always the best option.

CMS: Clinical summary templates flexible, more data OK in numerator

06/14/2013

by: Karen Long

Answers to three new frequently asked questions on CMS’ website give providers more leeway with what they can include in a clinical summary, what the clinical summary format should be and whether they can use data from outside the reporting period in the numerator.

Ask a Part B News expert: Charging out-of-network patients

06/14/2013

by: Penny Noyes

A doctor’s office would like to provide out-of-network patients with a reduced price for the first visit. How would insurance companies deal with that? Would they withhold payments for future visits?

How to avoid CMS’ 2% cut by preparing now for the June 30 e-Rx deadline

06/06/2013

by: Roy Edroso

Take time now to make sure your documentation is in order before the June 30 e-prescribing (e-Rx) deadline to avoid a 2% cut in 2014 — even if you’ve met standards or qualified for a hardship exemption.

Focus on income to counter 2% sequestration cuts to Medicare payments

06/06/2013

by: Jennifer Clampet

Before slashing at expenses to deal with sequestration cuts to Medicare payments, make sure you’re collecting every dollar that you can.

Use CMS’ 45-day period to dispute inaccuracies for open payments website

06/06/2013

by: Karen Long

Avoid having incorrect information online about payments to your providers by disputing inaccuracies during a CMS-designated 45-day period.

Going social? Use 3 tips to protect your practice from social-media pitfalls

06/06/2013

by: Roy Edroso

If you or your practice wants to get social via Facebook and other such tools, make sure to protect yourself from unwanted liability stemming from patient interaction.

OIG: Hire excluded workers -- even through third parties -- and risk fines

06/06/2013

by: Roy Edroso

A recent bulletin from the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) gives fair warning: With unlikely exceptions, any claim that gives federal money to excluded workers – even those hired through employment agencies – can result in overpayment liability and civil monetary penalties for you.

Benchmark: Don’t charge patients who exceed therapy cap without signed ABN

06/06/2013

by: Laura Evans and Scott Kraft

This week’s benchmark shows you the top 10 therapy codes billed under Medicare for 2011, the most recent data year available. Be especially vigilant to double-check the patient’s status against the therapy cap when billing any of these services and use an ABN when you believe the patient will exceed the cap.

Is sequester cut allowed on Medicare Advantage payments? Check your contract

05/24/2013

by: Roy Edroso

Some Medicare Advantage payers are passing along the 2% sequester cut to providers. Experts say that, in some cases, they shouldn’t — but it will be difficult to challenge the pass-through, especially if you haven’t been careful about the language in your contracts.

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