With only 60 days between the OPPS final rule's release and the January 1 implementation date, providers will be ahead of the curve by spending time now and thinking about the processes they may need to review, change, or implement based on what CMS finalizes and the sort of financial impact the final rule is likely to have.
Just like the lyrics to the popular Gap Band song say, "You dropped a bomb on me… I won't forget it," there are definitely some changes in the 2017 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting that some of us may wish the Cooperating Parties will forget were ever mentioned.
This week’s Medicare updates include the release of the End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System final rule, an announcement of the next round of Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors, the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment Changes for 2017 final rule, CY 2017 Home Health Prospective Payment System, a Hospital Appeals Settlement Update, and more!
All coders know that working with physicians is not always a positive experience.
It can be tough providing them education or getting responses from queries. Conversely, providers are busy and typically do not like anything to do with coding. When they hear coding they often take that to mean more work on their part.I have been working with providers for many years and the one thing coders always ask me is, 'What is your secret for getting along so well with doctors and engaging them to change behavior?'
Coder accuracy in ICD-10 may suffer if the focus is on productivity—and poor accuracy will hit hospitals’ revenue streams hard under value-based purchasing programs, experts at AHIMA’s 2016 convention agreed.
This week’s Medicare updates include CMS’ Quality Payment Program; updates to the interest rate for Medicare overpayments and underpayments; a new initiative to increase clinician engagement; and more!
