Physician and non-physician practitioners may benefit from reviewing bundling rules for emergency department visit services billed on the same date as critical care, according to the October 2020 Medicare Quarterly Compliance Newsletter.
Q: Starting January 1, 2021, CMS will be lowering reimbursement for high throughput novel coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostic tests from $100 to $75. I understand that if certain requirements are met labs will be eligible to bill for a $25 add on code. How can we meet the requirements for the add on code?
CMS will reduce payments to laboratories that take longer than two days to complete high-throughput COVID-19 diagnostic tests effective January 1, 2021, according to an October 15 press release.
Oaklawn Hospital, a healthcare provider in Marshall, Michigan, recently reported a security incident that potentially impacted 26,861 individuals, according to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) breach report.
Q: We recently took a survey and many of our employees admitted to saving their passwords in a Word® document or a Notes® file on their phone. Is this riskier than having passwords written down on paper and stored in a safe place at work or home? How can we discourage employees from writing down their passwords anywhere?
Q: As we continue to work remotely, I feel as though our efficiency as a case management staff has plateaued. What recommendations do you have for improving our remote work operations?
Q: A patient with a history of hypertension sees a cardiologist for chest discomfort during exercise. The cardiologist completes an office visit and performs a cardiac stress test the same day. Would it be appropriate to report the visit using an E/M code with modifier -25?
Q: In many school districts, children are required to complete immunizations before beginning school. Does a healthcare provider need to obtain consent from a parent to disclose proof of the student's immunization to the school district?
