Tagged with Telemedicine Billing News
5 Tips to Optimize your Telemedicine Appointments
The healthcare industry is clearly evolving, making telehealth, telemedicine, and remote patient care more significant components of care delivery. Telemedicine in particular has advanced from a curious form of clinical communication to a mainstay in the way providers and consumers interact. It has gone from being a side feature of the healthcare system to an…
The Future of Telehealth
COVID drove a spike in telehealth, but usage is now declining. Despite benefits and patient interest, barriers limit telehealth growth.
Telehealth Benefits Temporarily Expanded
The White House has announced that beginning on March 6, Medicare administered by CMS will temporarily pay clinicians to providing virtual visits and other telehealth services to beneficiaries.
CMS Issues Information Related to COVID–19 Individual and Small Group Market Insurance Coverage
CMS has issued a fact sheet detailing existing federal rules governing health coverage provided through the individual and small group insurance markets that apply to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
CMS Provides MIPS Reporting Relief and Extension
CMS is issuing an extension to the 2019 data submission deadline through April 30, 2020. Specifically, the agency is granting exceptions from reporting requirements and extensions for clinicians and providers participating in Medicare quality reporting programs with respect to upcoming measure reporting and data submission.
Anthem – Information for Care Providers about COVID-19
Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Shield (Anthem) has developed a list of frequently asked questions regarding administrative processes and recent changes related to COVID-19.
Humana Issues Provider Resources for COVID-19
Humana has created a space for providers to access information regarding diagnosis codes and claims, telehealth, and other administrative processes concerning COVID-19.
Aetna Issues Letter to Providers: COVID-19 – Taking Action
Aetna has issued a letter to providers detailing the steps the insurer is taking to ensure beneficiaries have access to testing and treatment for COVID-19.
$8.3B Coronavirus Funding Bill Approved
During the first week in May, the U. S. House and Senate approved an $8.3 billion funding bill to support ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19 (Coronavirus). On March 6, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 6074) was finalized by the president
Humana Claims Payment and Medical Coverage Policy Updates
Humana has published new and recently updated claim payment policies, including new policies for inpatient readmission review, modifiers CO and CQ, as well as revisions to the insurer’s chronic care management and principal care management and telehealth services policies.
Executive Order Issued to Protect Traditional Medicare and MA Plans
The president, on October 3, signed an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to increase efforts to provide more insurance plan options under Medicare Advantage and to remove regulations that are considered burdensome to health care providers. The order is intended to protect traditional Medicare and private Medicare Advantage while ramping up alternative payment models, time spent with patients, access to innovative technology and reducing the regulatory burdens on providers.
United Healthcare Announces Coordinated Commercial Reimbursement Policy Changes
UnitedHealthcare has released changes to its coordinated commercial reimbursement policy, which includes updates to its procedure to modifier policy and consultation services policy.
New Jersey Will Transition to a State-Based Exchange
On March 22, the governor of New Jersey has announced that the state will transition from the federally operated Healthcare.gov exchange platform to a state-based exchange by the 2021 plan year. According to state officials, the change will give the state more control over its health insurance market.
CMS Publishes Final CY 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rates and Policies
On November 1, CMS issued the Calendar Year (CY) 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. The final rule updates payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2019.
Humana Updated Claim Payment Policies
Humana recently published new updates to its claim payment policy for pass-through billing as well as its policy for telehealth and telemedicine.
CMS Releases CY 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
On November 1, CMS released its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule for calendar year (CY) 2019. The latest update includes changes to the Quality Payment Program as well as documentation and payment adjustments for evaluation and management services.
Pennsylvania State Legislature Vote No on Telehealth Parity Bill
Pennsylvania legislators have rejected a proposed legislation that would have established payment parity for telehealth and defined key components of telemedicine, set licensing requirements and required payers to reimbursement for telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services.
Senate, House Pass Major Opioid Legislation Package
The Senate and House each passed a package of 70 bills aimed at addressing the country’s opioid crisis. The package, which has strong bipartisan support, is expected to cost $8.4 billion.
Illinois Medicaid Program Expands Telehealth Reimbursement to Increase Access to Behavioral Health and Other Critical Services
Illinois has passed a series of bills that meaningfully expand the reimbursement of telehealth services delivered to its Medicaid patients. Illinois’ legislators, telemedicine advocates, healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups collaborated in an impressive effort to develop focused and targeted legislative solutions that effectively balance the need to get critical behavioral health services to patients in need with long-standing concerns that increasing access via telehealth will result in greater health care costs to a state already experiencing severe financial challenges.
New Jersey Medicaid Issues Telehealth Coverage and Reimbursement Guidance
October 2018 ~ The New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) issued a newsletter to NJ FamilyCare (NJFC) providers to clarify the requirements for the provision and billing of NJFC services via telehealth and telemedicine. The guidance comes as a follow-up to the New Jersey Telemedicine and Telehealth…
