We recently acquired a clinic across state lines. If we apply a universal privacy and information security policy to our organization, should we use only HIPAA as the benchmark or whichever of the state laws prescribes a higher level of privacy and security?
Q: We have claims that are hitting an edit between a procedure HCPCS code and the new codes for moderate sedation (99151–99153). Since moderate sedation is no longer inherent in any procedure beginning January 1, why are these scenarios hitting an edit?
This week’s Medicare updates include the delay of the effective date of the Advancing Care Coordination Through Episode Payment Models; Cardiac Rehabilitation Incentive Payment Model; and Changes to the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model; a quarterly update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule database; ICD-10 coding revisions to National Coverage Determinations; and more!
Discharge planning, which is integral to providing continuity of care, is a dynamic process. The steps of discharge planning sometimes occur in order, they sometimes overlap, and they sometimes move back and forth.
As hospitals get ready to start notifying patients about their status under the requirements of the NOTICE Act using the MOON form, many still have questions about the process and the form itself. The NOTICE Act requires hospitals to provide a verbal and written notice (using the MOON form) of outpatient status to any patient who has been in observation for more than 24 hours. The hospital must provide notice to the patient within 36 hours of the start of the service, or at the time of discharge or inpatient admission. “The notice must be provided no later than 36 hours after observation services are initiated or, if sooner, upon release,” according to CMS.
Q: If we receive a release of information request from an attorney on behalf of a patient, is it acceptable to respond to the request without seeking verification from the patient on whose behalf the information is being requested?
This week’s Medicare updates include Advance Care Planning implementation for OPPS claims, revision to State Operations Manual Appendix PP - incorporating revised Requirements of Participation for Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing facilities, and more!
Copying and pasting information in electronic health records (EHR) increases errors and makes it difficult for clinicians to determine what information is relevant, according to a report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released in January.
