The American Medical Association (AMA) salutes Congress for passing telehealth provisions in the omnibus spending bill that promise a new era of access for patients across the country. “Congress has taken a crucial step in starting a revolution in patient access. The AMA aims to continue being a partner in moving it forward,” said AMA President Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. “The … [Read more...] about Medical association happy with telehealth extensions
Health care reform
Learn about changes and updates to telehealth
There's a lot you need to know about telehealth. That's why Medical Office Manager is offering a webinar, Telehealth—What Managers Need to Know, on April 6. It's free to Medical Office Manager members. Presenter Jen Bell of Karen Zupko and Associates will give you the tools and knowledge you need to comply with new telehealth regulations. Meanwhile here is Jen's update on … [Read more...] about Learn about changes and updates to telehealth
5 tips for a smoother submission process
By Jessica Zeff For those of us who have any interactions with the Merit-Based Incentive Program (MIPS), January to March is a particularly busy time of year. Some of us are still working through 2021 documentation audits, checking calculations, collaborating with clinical data registries, and generally working towards making our 2021 MIPS submissions to CMS. At the same time, … [Read more...] about 5 tips for a smoother submission process
Telehealth utilization plateaus but pandemic surges are still a game changer
Digital technology has laid the groundwork for the long-term shift of medical care from in-person to virtual settings. And while it didn’t start the movement, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly accelerated it. The American Medical Association’s latest Physicians Practice Benchmark Survey offers new insight into the extent and direction of physician practice utilization of … [Read more...] about Telehealth utilization plateaus but pandemic surges are still a game changer
First snapshot ready for APM status and data
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its Quality Payment Program Participation Status Tool based on the first snapshot of Alternative Payment Model (APM) data. The first snapshot, posted July 8, includes data from Medicare Part B claims with dates of service between Jan. 1, 2021 and March 31, 2021. The tool includes 2021 Qualifying APM Participant … [Read more...] about First snapshot ready for APM status and data
CMS reweighting 2020 MIPS cost performance category
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency (PHE) on clinicians across the country and continues to offer flexibilities to provide relief where possible. Under § 414.1350(d)(3), the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) cost performance category weight is 15% of the final score for the 2020 … [Read more...] about CMS reweighting 2020 MIPS cost performance category
OIG sounds the warning on improper COVID-19 vaccination billing
Providers that furnish COVID-19 vaccination and testing services need to look ahead and prepare for the massive federal false billing crackdown that is sure to come if and when the pandemic crisis finally tails off. The latest rumblings from the federal enforcement volcano occurred on April 15 when the OIG issued a relatively rare “Message From HHS-OIG Leadership” (Message) to … [Read more...] about OIG sounds the warning on improper COVID-19 vaccination billing
Two data deadlines approaching this month
Two deadlines are coming up for physician practices: The Quality Payment Program Doctors and Clinicians Preview Period will close on March 25. And the data submission period for Merit-based Incentive Payment System eligible clinicians who participated in the 2020 performance year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) ends March 31. Preview your performance information CMS opened … [Read more...] about Two data deadlines approaching this month
CMS reopens applications for COVID-19 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Policy
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services continues to offer flexibilities to provide relief to clinicians responding to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. CMS is applying the MIPS automatic extreme and uncontrollable circumstances (EUC) policy to all MIPS eligible clinicians for the 2020 performance period. It is also reopening the MIPS EUC application for individual … [Read more...] about CMS reopens applications for COVID-19 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Policy
Extreme Circumstances Exception application deadline stretched to Feb. 1
To support clinicians during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is extending the 2020 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception application deadline to Feb. 1, 2021. For the 2020 performance year, CMS will be using its Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances policy … [Read more...] about Extreme Circumstances Exception application deadline stretched to Feb. 1