Effective January 1, 2018, Medicare payments for X-rays taken using computed radiography will be reduced by 7%, according to a policy CMS finalized in the 2018 OPPS final rule. This reduction will remain effective until 2022, and increase to 10% beginning in 2023, as required by paragraph 1848 (b)(9) of the Social Security Act.
We found out after an observation patient was discharged that one of the procedures performed was an inpatient-only procedure. Can we bill this to Medicare without an official inpatient order on the medical record?
Mary, an experienced nurse case manager, has worked on her medical unit for five years. She likes her assignment because it is never boring; she services a wide variety of patients with complex medical problems, and she feels satisfyingly challenged by the intricacies of each case. This is why, when the unit’s nurse manager approaches Mary about transferring a patient to another acute care setting with only a few hours’ leeway, Mary believes she can make it happen.
CMS is moving forward with its plan to drastically cut payments for drugs acquired through the 340B drug discount program, according to the 2018 OPPS final rule, released in November.
