Q: A person handling PHI from a remote location admitted that he had clicked on what turned out to be a malicious link in his personal email while he was using a company laptop. The laptop contained access to patient data and PHI. This is the first time such an incident has taken place in my department. What should our response plan look like in this situation?
This week’s Medicare updates include the publication of a new ABN form, the release of the 2021 Home Health Prospective Payment System proposed rule, new additions to the OIG Work Plan, and more!
Q: The communication gap between healthcare providers and family members is arguably most apparent now than it has ever been. What role can case managers play to help narrow this gap?
HIM directors’ and managers’ salaries have largely held steady, but the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is making itself felt. Learn how your salary compares to your peers’ and what you can do to improve your earning power in the future.
CMS released data for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) hospitalizations in the first half of 2020, highlighting total Medicare payment for fee-for-service COVID-19 hospitalizations, discharge statuses, and average length of stay.
Q: Many media organizations are filming outside the premises or sometimes even in the hospital. When they interview hospital leaders and health officials, this can be done with things happening in the background. How can hospitals prevent accidental disclosures—a patient’s face showing up in the background during an interview, for example? What should the rules be for media looking to film at the facility?
CMS recently released updates to National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Medically Unlikely Edits (MUE) for provider services. Effective July 1, the update will restore the MUEs that CMS deleted with an off-schedule revision and assign an MUE value of 24 to dozens of services.
The COVID-19 pandemic will have a significant effect on both health systems and patients. As we continue to understand its clinical, psychosocial, and economic consequences, especially the magnitude of the financial losses to hospitals, the development of new and innovative ways to connect with and support patients is a silver lining.
