Hospitals can make better use of their electronic health record (EHR) system's audit functions not only to guard patient privacy but also to help prevent healthcare fraud, according to a new HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report.
The January 2014 quarterly I/OCE update included nearly 400 new HCPCS Level II codes, but the most significant changes for providers may center on relatively few codes, as a result of modifications CMS made in the 2014 OPPS final rule.
Editor's note: With the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM coding, coders need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. To help coders prepare for the upcoming transition, we will provide an occasional article about specific anatomical locations and body parts as part of a larger series for ICD-10-CM preparation. This month's column addresses the anatomy of the thigh.
The CMS Innovation Center released a request for information (RFI) in February for input from specialty practitioners on new, episode-based payment models, which could signal a move toward even more bundled payments for outpatient procedures.
While many of the code changes in the 2014 CPT® Manual surgical sections involve bundling together common procedures, the major changes in the Radiology and Laboratory sections involve updates for newly recognized technologies and drugs.
