Tag: CMS (Medicare and Medicaid)
Medicare Solidifies Pay Cut
In a final rule that solidifies a nearly 3% Medicare pay cut for physicians in 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also set the trajectory for physician practices over the next year with a mixed bag of changes related to telemedicine, coding and payment, and the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), among others. ~By Phil West
While TMA analyzes what it sees as some isolated, positive changes resulting from CMS’ finalization of the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is also urging physicians to act now to show their support for House Resolution 10073
CMS Increased Payment for Influenza Vaccines
On August 1, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) increased payments to physicians for influenza vaccines and updated which codes physicians should use when billing for the service during the 2024-25 flu season.
Texas Medical Association billing and coding staff caution that to receive payment, physicians also will need to use a national drug code (NDC) associated with the current period.
Follow this link for proper CPT codes and more vaccine information.
Revisions to Medicare Part B Coverage of Pneumococcal Vaccinations Policy
Have Questions About Capturing Telehealth Visits?
Teleheath appears to become increasingly complex on a daily basis.
The following is a list of guidelines provided by MGMA:
Click on the title to follow the link.
Good News, Bad News in Medicare 2025
A first look at the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule
The 2025 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule is a study in contrasts. If you’re the kind of person who can see both sides of an issue, this rule is for you.
Good News
Bad News
Practitioners doing telehealth from their home can continue to use the practice address instead of their home address on claims for 2025
Without an act of Congress, for real time audio/visual visits on 1/1/2025 patients can no longer receive these services in their homes in all geographic areas. Patients must be in an underserved area and go to a facility setting for telehealth. (Unless Congress changes this in their end of year Consolidated Appropriations Act.)
16 new telehealth codes that can be selected based on Medical Decision Making (MDM) or time.
Medicare has given them a status indicator of invalid.
New HCPCS code for GIDXX for visit complexity inherent to in patient and observation services associated with a confirmed or inspected infectious disease. (GIDXX is a placeholder code, not a final code.)
Limiting use. “We anticipate the HCPCS code GIDXX would be reported by physicians with special infectious disease training”
Can use G2211 when you use modifier 25 for an E/M and wellness visit on the same day, immunizations, and other preventive medicine services.
That’s the only exception.
Need Help Meeting all the Components of the Compliance Attestation. Here is Help.
Ever thought about how a confident, well-trained front office team could transform your healthcare practice?
MGMA is thrilled to present the best front-office training in practice management, designed to improve patient interactions and boost your team’s performance. Make this a priority in your onboarding process today!
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Ed Plus is the easy-button on staff training, and it’s extremely cost-effective. Courses include:
- It All Starts Here: Front Office Mastery
- An Overview of Culturally Competent Care
- Controlling Healthcare Workplace Violence
- Dealing With Disruptive Patients
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Healthcare Workplace
- Employment Law for Medical Practices
- Establishing and Maintaining a Healthcare Compliance Program
- Healthcare Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
- HIPAA Essentials for Medical Practices
- Keeping Up With Revenue Cycle Compliance
- Lean Leadership
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- OSHA for Medical Practices
- Revenue Cycle Compliance and Fraud
- Safety First: Keeping Your Workplace Safe
- Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Front Office Training Exclusively in Ed Plus, Follow this Link for more information.
Physicians Can Delegate Breach Notifications to Change Healthcare
However, this delegation is only allowable if Change Healthcare or UHC are business associates of the covered entity. OCR made clear that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring such notifications occur remains with the covered entity, meaning physicians may still need to provide breach notifications under those circumstances.
HHSC: Star+Plus Webinars
HHSC is transitioning contracts for the STAR+PLUS program effective September 1, 2024.
They will be conducting webinars to assist with the STAR+PLUS transition as this change will affect both members and providers.
ONLY TWO SESSIONS LEFT
Saturday June 22nd, 9:00-10:00 AM
Monday June 24th, 1:00-2:00 PM
New Option to Report Violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act
“Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to protecting access to emergency medical care for everyone in America.”
“We will continue to uphold the law and the right to emergency care, to inform people of their rights under EMTALA, and to make it easier for someone denied care to file a complaint.”
For more information, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/your-patient-rights/emergency-room-rights.
Cyberattack Added to MIPS Hardship Exemption
Due to the ongoing impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack on an increasing number of physician practices, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has added an option to cite the cyberattack when requesting a hardship exemption within the 2024 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
CMS has added the option to the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) application. The 2024 MIPS EUC portal is now open, and physicians have until Dec. 31 to file a hardship application and avoid a 2026 MIPS negative payment adjustment
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