Life for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans seems to be improving in many ways in recent years. A 2013 Pew Research survey of LGBT adults showed that 92% believe that society is more accepting of them than it was in the past and that this support is trending in the right direction for the future. But while LGBT Americans have made gains, research shows that disparities remain, particularly when it comes to healthcare for older LGBT individuals.
This week’s Medicare updates include the OIG’s Semiannual Report to Congress, an announcement that the Hospital Appeals Settlement Process is now open, a HCPCS Code Update for Preventive Services, and more!
CMS made certain concessions from its proposed site-neutral payment policies required by Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act, but it is still moving forward with implementation January 1, 2017, according to the 2017 OPPS final rule.
Almost a year after the world of coding was transformed by the implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS, CMS released the 2017 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting along with more than 5,000 diagnosis and procedure code changes. The new codes and guidelines went into effect October 1, but not without some controversy. Many of the changes were praised for the increased clarity and level of detail they allow providers to capture. Other changes, though, raised questions and eyebrows and left some wondering what the Cooperating Parties may have intended.
Each year, CMS reviews procedures on the inpatient-only list, which consists of services typically provided on inpatients and not payable under the OPPS, to consider whether they are being performed safely and consistently in outpatient departments.
