Q: What would be reported as the principal diagnosis if a patient was admitted with both a urinary tract infection (UTI) and sepsis? What would be reported first if the patient developed a catheter-associated UTI with sepsis?
Q: I work in a residential care facility, and we have smart speakers in some resident rooms. Patient information is discussed where these smart devices can “hear” it. Although most manufacturers claim speakers are not “listening in,” we all hear about how speakers sometimes do what manufacturers say they do not. Could these speakers lead to a HIPAA violation?
This week's note from the instructor explores proposals from the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule and items for revenue cycle staff to consider commenting on before the comment period closes September 27.
CMS’ Hospital Outpatient Payment (HOP) panel made numerous recommendations at its annual meeting August 19 for the agency to consider ahead of the release of the 2020 OPPS final rule—with the panel and other stakeholders urging CMS to be more transparent with its responses and release of data.
This week’s Medicare updates include a new tracking sheet for a national coverage analysis of transcatheter mitral valve repair procedures, the October 2019 update to drug and biologicals HCPCS codes, the October 2019 update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule database, and more!
