News & Analysis

January 1, 2013
Briefings on APCs

Our coding experts answer your questions about reporting fetal ultrasound codes, bell curve for E/M visits, and billing for wasted drugs.

January 1, 2013
Briefings on APCs

As part of the 2013 OPPS final rule, CMS finalized a clarification to 42 CFR 419.2(b) that could cause confusion in the future if hospitals are audited by third-party payers or by Medicare contractors who do not fully understand the intent of the language or how CMS develops payment rates, says Jugna Shah, MPH, president of Nimitt Consulting based in Washington, D.C.

January 1, 2013
Briefings on APCs

Hospitals earned a big win with drug payments this year in the 2013 OPPS final rule, released November 1. CMS decided to finalize its proposal to follow the statute and reimburse facilities at the average sales price (ASP) plus 6%.

December 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Our coding experts answer your questions about observation orders, sequencing additional diagnoses, coding for wound care with no-cost skin substitute, and reporting cardiac rehabilitation and physical therapy together.

December 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

The Hospital Outpatient Payment Panel recommended CMS change the supervision requirements for 15 HCPCS and CPT codes during its second meeting this year in ­August. CMS released details of the meeting September 24.

December 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Coding for observation services can be confusing and complicated. Review these three case studies to determine how well you know observation coding.

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