Category: Medicare & Medicaid

There are several changes coming to Medicare benefits for 2021: Every year, a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is announced. In 2020, benefits increased by 1.6% and for 2021, benefits will increase by 1.3%. This will result in an average increase of about $20 per month. The Medicare cost increases for 2021 are as follows The standard […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released an MLN Matters special edition article providing guidance for clinical laboratories about data reporting. The data reporting period opened on January 1. Here are six things from the article for clinical laboratories to know about data reporting. 1. CMS has developed the online data collection […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a video that contains guidance to help providers bill correctly for enteral infusion pumps. Medicare Part B covers enteral nutrition supplies and equipment (feeding pump) under the prosthetic device benefit. The two-minute video discusses Medicare coverage criteria for enteral infusion pumps and the four pieces […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced the awarding of the next round of Medicare Fee-for-service recovery audit contractor (RAC) contracts. The Medicare Recovery Audit Program’s mission is to identify and correct improper Medicare medical billing payments through the detection and collection of overpayments made on claims of healthcare services provided to Medicare […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released its 2017 ambulatory surgery center (ASC) payment final rule. There were a few changes worth noting, according to the national ASC Association (ASCA). 1. Payment increase. ASC payment rates will increase by 1.9%, which is larger than the 1.2% identified in the proposed rule. 2. Procedures […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a complimentary webinar concerning the clinical laboratory billing. The program, “Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test Payment System: Data Reporting Call,” takes place Wednesday, November 2, from 2:30-3:30 pm ET. During this program, attendees will learn how to report data required by the Clinical Diagnostic Test Payment […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new provider compliance fact sheet concerning laboratory medical billing. The fact sheet noted that a HHS report revealed “laboratory tests – other” (e.g., urine drug screening, medication assays, genetic tests, tissues examination, blood tests) had an improper payment rate of 39 percent, with a […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced it will allow providers to “pick your pace” of participation in the Quality Payment Program included in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Understanding Your Options The options identified by CMS are as follows: 1. Test the Quality Payment Program. With this […]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a reminder to Medicare-enrolled providers concerning reporting changes in enrollment information. Failure to comply with the requirements to report changes in Medicare enrollment information could result in the revocation of Medicare billing privileges. All physicians, non-physician practitioners (e.g., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, […]