While the 2017 OPPS proposed rule includes a variety of tweaks and augmentations to existing regulations, its biggest impact is likely to come from its proposal to implement Section 603 provisions of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 regarding off-campus, provider-based departments (PBD) and move toward more site-neutral payment policies.
CMS released the 2017 OPPS proposed rule on July 5 without much fanfare. On July 14, the Federal Register version was posted, and upon initial review, it seems rather short at 186 pages.
CMS’ proposed changes to implement Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and reshape payments for off-campus, provider-based departments represent the most significant changes in the current year 2017 OPPS proposed rule.
Reconciliation is a noun meaning "the process of finding a way to make two different ideas, facts, etc. exist or be true at the same time." In the world of clinical documentation improvement (CDI), "reconciliation" typically refers to diagnosis-related group (DRG) reconciliation, which is the process of adjusting DRGs when those assigned by the CDI specialist do not match those assigned by the coder.
So many people struggle early in their careers with finding a perfect fit for their talents and passion. My story is exactly the opposite. My entire family is in healthcare, so I chose my career quite naturally. Though I had a bit of a circuitous route into my final landing place, I cannot say I'm surprised to have landed here.
CMS' Transmittal 3523, issued May 13, is the quarterly July 1 OPPS update. In this transmittal, CMS briefly mentions billing physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services provided in support of or adjunctive to comprehensive APC (C-APC) services under revenue code 0940 (general therapeutic services) rather than the National Uniform Billing Committee‑defined revenue codes for these services (i.e., 042x, 043x, and 044x, respectively).
