As soon as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) entered the United States, reports began to surface detailing an increased rate of cyberattacks against healthcare entities. That trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.
COVID-19 Medicare billing rules continue to evolve, so it can be challenging to stay abreast of the developments. Some recent changes have given case managers and hospitals more flexibility when it comes to treating both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients, as medical practices increasingly look to resume providing elective surgeries and other procedures.
Q: Like other hospitals, we have had many patients transported via ambulance with COVID-19 symptoms. Once these patients are tested for the virus, are we permitted under HIPAA to disclose their test results to the first responders who treated them and brought them to the hospital?
This week's note from the instructor discusses the steps involved in the prior authorization process for certain hospital outpatient department services.
