In July 2015, CMS released proposals to provide several new Stark Law exceptions and to clarify issues regarding existing exceptions. Over the next few days, I will post comment on what I consider the most significant new exceptions and clarifications. The full text of these proposal and CMS comments and explanations is available at:
Medicare & Reimbursement
CMS Proposes New Stark Exception: Recruitment of Non-Physician Practitioners
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
In July 2015, CMS released proposals to provide several new Stark Law exceptions and to clarify issues regarding existing exceptions. Over the next few days, I will post comments on what I consider the most significant new exceptions and clarifications. The full text of these proposals and CMS comments and explanations are available at:
CMS Announces One Year Partial ICD-10 Relief for Physicians
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
By now, everyone knows ICD-10 coding starts October 1, 2015.
Starting October 1, 2015, Medicare claims with dates of service after October 1, 2015 will only be accepted if they contain a valid ICD-10 code. The Medicare claims system will be programmed not to accept ICT-9 codes after September 30, 2015.
However, Medicare announced in…
Colorado Approves Direct Medicare Payment to CRNA’s
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
Medicare Regulations allows CRNA’s to administer anesthesia without physician supervision if the state governor opts out of the regular physician supervision requirement.
Governor Ritter of Colorado opted out in 2010, and his action was challenged by the Colorado Medical Society and the Colorado Society of Anesthesiologists. That challenge was dismissed by Colorado trial courts, which…
SGR Has Finally Been Repealed – But What Happens Next?
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Articles, Medicare & Reimbursement
Click the link below to read Michael A. Cassidy’s article on Medicare Sustainable Growth which appeared on the Allegheny County Medical Society’s website on Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Congress Repeals Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR)
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
| MGMA has published the following alert:
Congress repeals SGR! |
| In a significant victory for physician group practices and MGMA, late this evening the Senate voted (92-8) to approve the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2. This legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on March 26, permanently repeals the Medicare Sustainable |
…
No SGR Action by Senate
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
| March 27, 2015 – Special Alert |
|
…
News from MGMA re SGR Repeal
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
| Historic SGR repeal passes in House |
| Today, the House of Representatives passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2, by a vote of 392–37. This legislation permanently repeals the SGR and returns stability to physicians and Medicare patients.
MGMA President and CEO Halee Fischer-Wright released the following statement: “The House of Representatives |
…
CMS Proposes Rules to Improve Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule intended to make ACOs and Medicare Shared Savings Plans more practical and attractive to potential providers. The proposed rule was released on December 1, 2014, along with a CMS Fact Sheet.
Longer Lead Time to Develop
In order to provide more development…
Global Surgery and 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
On July 21, 2014, I posted the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and described the intent by CMS to eliminate global surgery.
On November 13, 2014, CMS issued the final 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and CMS incorporated the changes regarding global surgery.
Global Surgery
There are three primary categories of global surgery…