Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
In other news
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee agreed to pay the Department of Health and Human Services $1.5 million to settle potential HIPAA violations, according to an HHS release. This action followed BCBST's disclosure of the theft of 57 unencrypted computer hard drives from a leased facility in Tennessee. BCBST failed "to implement appropriate administrative safeguards to adequately protect information," HHS says. It should have been performing the required security evaluation in response to operational changes, according to the release. In addition, the investigation showed a "failure to implement appropriate physical safeguards by not having adequate facility access controls," it added. The HHS Office for Civil Rights, which enforces HIPAA, "expects health plans and health care providers to have in place a carefully designed, delivered, and monitored HIPAA compliance program," OCR Director Leon Rodriguez says. In addition to the fine and policy & procedures requirements, BCBST must provide "regular and robust trainings for all BCBST employees covering employee responsibilities under HIPAA."
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- E-Prescribing:
CMS Is Now Accepting Hardship Exemption Applications to Avoid 2013 E-Prescribing Penalty
Submit your application by June 30 to find out whether you qualify.Hoping to avoid a [...] - E/M Billing:
Hospital Nailed for Billing E/Ms That Should Have Been Included in Procedures
Consider these tips to avoid the same fate.If you see a patient in the hospital [...] - Medicare Funding:
Medicare Projected to Go Broke in 2024, Trustees' Report Says
Part A is poised to run out of money -- and although safe for now, Part [...] - Billing:
Your Top 3 Secondary Payer Questions Answered
Start with the basics and then move on to learning the intricacies.Last week, we told [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
Consider This Add-on Advice When Your Doctor Uses Photodynamic Therapy
Forget even one step of this process and you could sacrifice reimbursement.When your physician makes [...] - Physician Note:
Providers Are Appending Modifier KX Willy-Nilly, OIG Says
Plus: One health insurer learned a HIPAA lesson worth $1.5 million.Trying to ensure that your [...] - In other news
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee agreed to pay the Department of Health and Human [...] - Reader Question:
Consider Modifier 26 With 76942
Question: For code 76942, which modifiers are allowed, and how do I report units?Answer: In [...] - Reader Question:
Ensure That Physician Performs Initial Nursing Facility Visit
Question: I am receiving denial C0-170 (Payment is denied when preformed/billed by this type of [...] - Imaging:
CMS Won't Double-Zing Practices on Imaging Cuts
Groups won't be subject to the reduction, CMS clarifies.CMS no longer plans to apply the [...]
