Q: A physician orders a comprehensive metabolic panel (CPT code 80053) and an additional quantitative blood sample to measure blood glucose level (CPT code 82947). Would the physician report modifier -91 (repeat clinical diagnostic laboratory test) or -59 to indicate that the blood sample was performed separately from the panel?
The American Medical Collection Agency recently began notifying its clients of a hack that exposed personal and billing data of its clients, including approximately 11.9 million Quest Diagnostic patients and 7.7 million LabCorp patients.
Social factors such as homelessness can lead to higher healthcare costs, more frequent readmissions, and longer lengths of stay for affected patients. But for the first time, hospitals may be able to recoup some of those expenses.
Improving care quality for patients experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness is a challenge for many organizations. Some hospitals have decided that providing housing to those in need can not only help needy patients but also significantly reduce healthcare costs.
Q: I am a college student who had to miss three days of classes because I was ill. One of my professors needed proof that I was too ill to attend class. When I asked the health center for a note, they said it would be a HIPAA violation to provide any details about my illness. Were they right?
