In the 2018 OPPS final rule, CMS finalized a change to the current clinical laboratory date of service policies for outpatient molecular pathology tests and advanced diagnostic laboratory tests.
In advance of ICD-10-CM/PCS, many institutions implemented computer-assisted coding (CAC) hoping to mitigate the anticipated productivity losses, but research has confirmed suspicions that there is an inverse relationship between coding productivity and accuracy.
CMS, the Veterans Health Administration, and some states measure our care quality based on risk-adjusted readmission rates after inpatient admissions. In fact, up to 3% of our hospital’s Medicare inpatient revenue (used to pay physician subsidies) is at risk if we don’t manage our patients’ readmissions in concert with Medicare’s algorithms.
This week’s Medicare updates include a list of new topics proposed for recovery audit contractor review, a final decision memo on a cardiology device NCD, a diagnosis code update for add-on payments for a blood clotting factor, and more!
The implementation of an EHR is a multifaceted, comprehensive project for healthcare organizations. To avoid coding issues during EHR implementation and ensure discharged-not-final-coded is not adversely impacted, dedicated HIM focus and detailed project planning are paramount.
