CMS recently announced that it intends to delay the launch of the new Radiation Oncology Model to July 1, 2021 instead of January 1, 2021. The decision comes after stakeholders commented that a January start date would place an unfair burden on providers already challenged by staff shortages.
CMS provided clarification on submitting inpatient claims for patients diagnosed with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) without a positive viral test, in an update to MLN Matters SE20015 released September 11.
CMS continues to focus on site-neutral payment policies and keeping payments down for 340B-acquired drugs in the 2021 OPPS proposed rule, released in early August.
CMS is moving forward for E/M changes for physician billing according to the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Read about those changes, as long as a preview of new CPT codes that will be added for 2021.
Q: It’s often convenient to pass along a list of resources to patients, but we’ve found that this may not be the best approach when working with patients battling substance use disorders. What are your suggestions for providing help to these patients?
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued amended guidance on August 24 regarding covered entities (CE) and health plans contacting patients who have recovered from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to inform them about donating blood to help other COVID-19 patients.
Providers may need to keep track of two different times when reporting new CPT® add-on code 99XXX for prolonged services in 2021. CMS will not follow the time ranges that the AMA released in its guidelines for office E/M visits and prolonged services, according to the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule.
The AMA on August 10 announced four new CPT® codes for reporting COVID-19 laboratory testing, including two codes for reporting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody detection.
CMS released the calendar year (CY) 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) on August 3, introducing 39 new CPT codes, mainly for cardiovascular services. If finalized, the new codes will go into effect January 1, 2021.
