While many providers are still digesting the IPPS Final Rule, muddling through how the OPPS Proposed Rule might impact their bottom line, and kicking rocks because the 2-midnight rule was not chucked, President Obama signed a bill into law on August 6, 2015—and it’s one providers should note. Unanimously approved by both the House and Senate earlier this year, the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act, otherwise called the NOTICE Act, will not take effect until August 2016, but will certainly add one more layer to the administrative burden associated with outpatient observation services when it does.
In July 2013, Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) began to recover overpayments on Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) claims with dates of service on and after January 1, 2011 that were processed by Medicare on and after April 4, 2011 through March 31, 2013 (see MLN Matters® Article #8153). It was subsequently determined that both the professional and technical components of Method II critical access hospital (CAH) claims had been identified as overpayments and recouped in error. Method II CAHs are entitled to payment for the professional components of these claims.
This week’s note is about CMS’ offer to certain hospitals regarding withdrawing appeals for partial payments. Click the link above for more information and an in-depth analysis.
