Month: April 2021
Before Endorsing Checks
If you haven’t read anything this year please read this!
Physicians should be aware of a practice by TRPN DirectPay whereby the out-of-state contracting entity sends checks that may be mistaken as an insurance payment, but instead attempt to have physician practices agree to a binding network participation agreement.
New Resources Available on QPP Website
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Over the past few weeks, CMS has added new resources to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Resource Library. For performance year 2021, the new batch of resources includes:
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Important, Time Sensitive
WEDI is hosting a day-long virtual meeting on Wednesday, April 28 to review the Information Blocking regulations, exceptions, and discuss compliance plans. Here you can find registration and the agenda for the event.
This event on Information Blocking is free for all members of the healthcare industry.
News from Aetna
Check out the news from Aetna regarding: (click)
- Changes to their National Precertification
List (NPL) - Submitting precertification requests
- How to use Availity to request precertification online
News from UHC
UnitedHealthcare remains committed to delivering timely news and updates to help you stay informed of fast-changing COVID-19 circumstances. Here’s a quick overview of the recent extension of the national public health emergency period, as well as billing updates and resources to help you answer patient questions about COVID-19 vaccines. For the complete article follow this link to the InK Files.
PHE Extended
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has renewed the public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 effective April 21, 2021. This extension will effectively continue all telehealth waivers and other flexibilities pursuant to this determination. As with previous determinations, the renewed PHE will terminate 90 days after its effective date on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, unless it is further extended. The Biden administration has previously indicated that it intends to continue extending the COVID-19 PHE at least for the remainder of 2021.
Prior Auth. Time Frames
Several commercial payers have resumed prior authorization time frames and requirements that had been suspended because of the COVID-19 emergency, while others will continue to approve prior auth requests or suspend them for at least part of the year.
Below is an overview of some payers’ COVID-19 prior authorization policies as of April 2021: Click on the Links for more detail.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas ended approvals on services with existing prior authorizations on Dec. 31, 2020.
Aetna is approving prior authorization requests for commercial and Medicare Advantage members until the end of the plan year. “Authorization may be extended beyond the plan year, for a period of six months, if continued eligibility can be confirmed.”
Cigna resumed standard prior authorization time frames and requirements beginning April 1, 2021.
Humana resumed standard prior authorization time frames and requirements beginning April 1, 2021
UnitedHealthcare will not require prior authorization for most services through the national public health emergency period, currently scheduled to end April 20, 2021. Exceptions include medical and behavioral health services, post-acute care admissions, site of service reviews, and transfers to new providers. Prior authorizations for medical and behavioral health were not subject to extension on or after April 10, 2020.
Article written by Ellen Terry : https://www.texmed.org/TexasMedicineDetail.aspx?id=53502&utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TMT&_zs=cPrdA1&_zl=CvCF6
Check Those Checks!!!
- Don’t get caught in this dirty deal.
- Know what you are endorsing.
- If you receive payment with no patient information this should be a red flag.
- By endorsing you could be agreeing to accept whatever payment they wish to send.
- Your endorsement could also serve as an authorized signature for contract.
Claims Hold!
Temporary Claims Hold Pending Congressional Action to Extend 2% Sequester Reduction Suspension
In anticipation of possible Congressional action to extend the 2% sequester reduction suspension, we instructed the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to hold all claims with dates of service on or after April 1, 2021, for a short period without affecting providers’ cash flow. This will minimize the volume of claims the MACs must reprocess if Congress extends the suspension; the MACs will automatically reprocess any claims paid with the reduction applied if necessary.
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