Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Physician Updates Could Vary By Region, Specialty
If the Medicare Payments Advisory Commission got its way, you would be receiving a 2.7-percent increase for 2006 instead of a freeze. And now MedPAC is telling Congress you deserve a 2.8-percent increase for 2007 as well. This recommendation will appear in MedPAC's March report to Congress.
But in MedPAC's January meeting, analysts also considered replacing the current system of physician payment updates with one that treats physicians differently depending on a variety of factors. Some physicians spend more Medicare money than others, depending on their region or their types of patients. Congress is asking MedPAC to come up with new ways to control physician spending, and one popular approach is to target the formula based on region or types of patients.
Separately, MedPAC told Congress it couldn't really tell whether drug cuts affected the quality of chemotherapy services, and couldn't find any signs that patients were having trouble accessing chemotherapy.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- REIMBURSEMENT:
You Won't Have To Resubmit January Claims To Gain Extra Money
Don't worry about collecting extra copayments from patients, CMS advises
Hang in there--there are only a [...] - CONSULTS:
Watch Out For 56 Modifier Trap With Pre-Op Consults
Document primary care consults the same as specialist ones
If you think consults are just for [...] - NEUROLOGY:
Physicians Can't Bill For Tests Performed By A Technician
You can't use separate code for mini mental status exams
You may [...] - Emergency Rooms Earn A C Minus In National Survey
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) released its first "National Report Card on the [...] - LOCAL COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS:
You Can't Bill Temporary Pacemaker Or Anesthesia With Heart Catheterizations
Noridian expands stereotactic neurosurgery coverage
Several of the Part B carriers decided [...] - MANAGEMENT:
Consider Charging Your Patients A Billing Fee For Copays, Deductibles
One practice adds percentages for collection agencies
Your practice should set the [...] - Physician Updates Could Vary By Region, Specialty
If the Medicare Payments Advisory Commission got its way, you would be receiving a 2.7-percent [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
Learn the Truth Behind These 4 Modifier 22 Myths--And Avoid More Denials
A longer-than-normal procedure does not automatically justify modifier 22
Did you know [...] - PHYSICIAN NOTES:
Health Care Spending Shows Signs Of Slowing
Growth rate down from 9.1 percent to 7.9 percent
Changes in prescription [...]
