News & Analysis

January 1, 2015
Case Management Monthly

Do observation patients belong in their own unit? The answer is debated at many organizations. Some say establishing a separate unit brings numerous advantages, from improved ED throughput to shorter lengths of stay. Others say some facilities may not need one.

January 1, 2015
Case Management Monthly

Case managers rejoice. CMS recently sounded what is being called the death knell of the 2-midnight rule certification in a final rule published in the November 10, 2014, Federal Register.

 

January 1, 2015
Strategies for Healthcare Compliance

Many coders rely on the advice in the American Hospital Association (AHA)'s Coding Clinic to resolve sticky situations with ICD-9-CM coding. However, the AHA will not be transitioning its current guidance to ICD-10-CM. Instead, in January, it began focusing solely on ICD-10-CM questions to help clear up confusion prior to implementation.

January 1, 2015
Briefings on APCs

Our experts answer questions about outpatient queries and documentation for HCCs.

January 1, 2015
Strategies for Healthcare Compliance

Mobile devices have changed the way people share and access information in their personal and professional lives. Smartphones and tablets may make it easier and faster for people to communicate, store, and access information, but they present risks if lost, stolen, or hacked. This can be especially challenging in the healthcare industry as it has become common for providers to use various mobile tools, including smartphones, laptops, notebooks, tablets, phablets, personal digital assistants, USB devices, digital cameras, and radiofrequency identification devices, to communicate with colleagues and access applications.

January 1, 2015
Briefings on APCs

CMS proposed that a new HCPCS modifier be appended to every code for a service furnished in a hospital's off-campus provider-based department on both the CMS-1500 claim form for physicians' services and the UB-04 form (CMS Form 1450) for hospital outpatient services in the 2015 OPPS proposed rule. Despite many detailed comments opposing this change, no consensus emerged; therefore, CMS is moving forward with implementing a slightly modified policy.

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