CMS is automatically reprocessing 2019 hospital claims for certain services provided at grandfathered off-campus provider-based departments (PBD) after a federal judge vacated portions of the 2019 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rule. However, the agency has filed an appeal and the same federal judge declined to strike down cuts for those services planned for 2020.
Medicare made $54.4 million in improper payments to acute care hospitals for post-acute transfers that did not comply with Medicare’s policies, according to a November 1 report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Q: I'm told, although I'm not convinced, that our payment for Keytruda is denied by Anthem when we use Z51.11 (encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy) first followed by the code for cancer, i.e. C34.12 (malignant neoplasm of upper lobe, left bronchus or lung). I reviewed the coding guidelines again and that is our instruction. Does anyone have experience with this issue?
The purpose of this policy is to define routine daily hospital services, covered medical and surgical services and supplies, which are sometimes referred to as room and board. This policy is not intended to impact medical practice or care decisions.
The Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) has so many nuances that can impact reimbursement that it is near impossible for SNFs to consider and capitalize on them all. Check your processes and procedures to ensure you’re taking advantage of or protecting against the following aspects of PDPM.
CMS is moving forward with multiple policies—effectively based on reducing reimbursement to hospitals—that have been deemed unlawful in court, according to the 2020 OPPS final rule, released Friday, November 1.
CMS is accepting comments until November 29 on a proposal to collect acquisition cost data from hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program.
Q: Our new EHR system was built using logic for therapy charging based on both the AMA and CMS eight-minute rules. Charges will generate differently based on the payer. How do others implement the eight-minute rules? How do you think using two charging methodologies in this world of price transparency will look?
