Dec 28, 2022 |
Please make sure that you note on your calendar to meet with me at noon on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Insurance Updates Correctly determine Primary coverage Correctly determine traditional Medicare versus Medicare Advantage Collections expected deductible assignments expected co-ins / copay secondary plans qualified Medicaid benefits (QMB) Please email me if you have not received the meeting information....
Jun 24, 2022 |
Mark your calendars to review with Unexpected Denials and Resolutions. Number one on the list … Outpatient and Home Health!! I will also include some other headaches as well as insurance updates. Remember this is a benefit of your MARN membership and it is a time to network. If you have any headaches you would like to add to the list please feel free to forward to me prior to the meeting time. Please do not send any patient information, but feel free to copy and scan your EOBs, etc. or you may send information via fax # 513.434.1732. Note the new fax number since we have relocated our office!!...
Apr 19, 2022 |
Together we will review: Challenges Understanding the aging of a claim Reports Options How To Work Open Claims Collection Companies Outsourcing Your Billing Registration is not required, however, please contact Berni at berni.willis@midamrehab.com to get the meeting link information. ...
Apr 19, 2022 |
Meetings are happening! If you are not in a group and wish to be so, please contact Berni at berni.willis@midamrehab.com. Upcoming group meetings (different leaders) Tuesday April 19, 2022 (Stephen & Joe) Tuesday May 17, 2022 (Edie) Friday, May 20, 2022 (Leon) ...
Mar 17, 2022 |
Attention all MARN Admin PeerConnect members! Our topic this month is understanding Accounts Receivables Tracking your ARs (reports) Claim follow up Patient Statements Collection agencies Billing in-house or outsourcing This webinar is free and I expected a lot of questions and conversations! If you do not have the link, please contact me at berni.willis@midamrehab.com I hope to see you all there!...
Feb 15, 2022 |
As many of you are aware it is that time of the year that front desk collections are more so challenging due to new benefits, higher deductibles, and co pays. On Tuesday we are going to step through how to: Configure the collection schedule by insurance Conversation with the patient explaining their benefits ie number of visits, authorizations, etc. No show and cancellation policy Conversation with the patient expected collections at each visit Storing credit card information Financial agreements – the details we should be including and having our patient sign in agreement with our policies There is no charge to this webinar. Contact Berni Willis (berni.willis@midamrehab.com) to register for this webinar....
Jan 20, 2022 |
Join me at Noon on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 A review of medical record requests you may have received and how they should be answered. A break down what is the request asking for and what documents should you be sending. No advanced registration is required. If you have any questions you would like me to include, please feel free to email them to me in advance. The meeting will be opened for questions if some come along during the discussion. This is an opportunity for YOU to ask any questions to me and your other peers on the call. We all have experience and outcomes that will make the conversation more valuable. Email me for the link if you did not receive in an earlier email. berni.willis@midamrehab.com ...
Jan 5, 2022 |
Mark your calendars! Meeting will be held in Columbus, Ohio at the Quest Business Center. Registration will begin at 8:30 with a continental breakfast. Lunch will be provided as well. There is NO charge for this meeting. Complete Agenda will...
Nov 30, 2021 |
December 1st-7th is National Handwashing Awareness Week. It is a great time to take a closer look at handwashing and its importance in disease control and prevention. You can read more great information and get printable tips here....
Nov 23, 2021 |
On November 2, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates on policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and other Medicare Part B issues, on or after January 1, 2022. The calendar year (CY) 2022 PFS final rule is one of several rules that reflect a broader Administration-wide strategy to create a health care system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, empowerment, and innovation. Review the complete release HERE. Therapy Services CMS is completing implementation of section 53107 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which requires CMS, through the use of new modifiers (CQ and CO), to identify and make payment at 85 percent of the otherwise applicable Part B payment amount for physical therapy and occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) ─ when they are appropriately supervised by a physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT), respectively ─ for dates of service on and after January 1, 2022. CMS defines services furnished in whole or in part by PTAs or OTAs as those for which the PTA or OTA time exceeds a de minimis threshold. For CY 2022, in response to numerous stakeholder questions and to promote proper therapy care, CMS is revising the policy for the de minimis standard. Specifically, CMS’ revised policy would allow a 15-minute timed service to be billed without the CQ/CO modifier in cases when a PTA/OTA participates in providing care to a patient, independent from the PT/OT, but the PT/OT meets the Medicare billing requirements for the...
Nov 23, 2021 |
Effective on October 18, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the declaration of the COVID-19 national public health emergency declaration (PHE). The national declaration unlocks key flexibilities at the federal and local levels that will support counties in our ongoing efforts to respond to the virus. The PHE would do the following: Allow access to the HHS Provider Relief Fund, which supports healthcare providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Provider Relief fund has been allocated a total of $186.5 billion by the federal government since it was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These funds are distributed to county hospitals and local health care providers to address medical surge capacity issues and make up for loss revenue during the public health crisis. Allow states and counties who have also declared a state of emergency to waive certain regulatory requirements to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. An 1135 waiver is authorized under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act and allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain requirements during national emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The waiver lasts for the duration of the national emergency and is renewed every 90 days. Expand telehealth and telemedicine capabilities through temporary rules and waivers authorized by CMS that allow for the expansion of types of services that can be offered by telehealth. Telehealth has emerged as a vital tool for county health providers during the pandemic, helping to improve health care access amid state and local stay at home orders, and facilitating...
Oct 12, 2021 |
The PRF Reporting Portal is now open until September 30, 2021. Register, complete and submit your report now, or continue reading for instructions on how to use the portal. Announcing 60-Day Grace Period – Reporting Period 1 The September 30, 2021 Reporting Period 1 deadline has not changed, however in response to challenges providers are facing given the Covid surges and natural disasters around the country a 60-day Grace Period is in place. This period allows providers to come into compliance with their PRF reporting requirements should they fail to meet the September 30, 2021 deadline. Important Details: While you will be out of compliance if you do not submit your report by September 30, 2021, recoupment or other enforcement actions will not be initiated during the 60-day grace period (October 1 – November 30, 2021). The grace period begins on October 1, 2021 and will end on November 30, 2021. Providers who are able are strongly encouraged to complete their report in the PRF Reporting Portal by September 30, 2021. Providers should return unused funds as soon as possible after submitting their report. All unused funds must be returned no later than 30 days after the end of the grace period (December 30, 2021). This grace period only pertains to the Reporting Period 1 report submission deadline. There is no change to the Period of Availability for use of PRF payments. Please remember that while there is a grace period for the first reporting, below is the timeline for the additional reporting requirements for all providers that have received an aggregated $10,000 funding. Recipients who received one or more...
Jul 29, 2021 |
Mark You Calendar!! Join us to hear everything you want to know about payer contracts. What is the contract option NOT telling us?! When and how do we negotiate our current contracts. How do we terminate from these TPA contracts that have become a nuisance with their deep pocket discounts?! Plan to join us at Quest Business Center located at 9200 Worthington Rd, Westerville, OH 43082. Registration will begin at 8:45 AM...
Jul 29, 2021 |
CMS released its proposed rules for CY 2022. APTA has responded to each of these and be aware they are not yet finalized, however, the takeaway is that each of these issues will be addressed. September 13, 2021, is the final date for all comments to be received. Typically the final fee schedule is released in early November. Below is some of the information that has been released. CY 2022 Fee Schedule is slated for a reduction. APTA estimates that physical therapy will see an approximate 3.5% reduction in payment in 2022 compared to 2021. OT will see an approximate 3.9% reduction in payment in 2022 compared to 2021. Speech therapy will see an approximate 3.8% reduction in payment in 2022 compared to 2021. These estimates of course depend on which CPT codes you bill and what percentage of each CPT code that you bill. PTA / OTA 15% reduction is slated to be applied in CY 2022. Approximately $3.55 will be reduced per unit from the allowed amount. Telehealth – at this time, Medicare is purposing NOT to add physical, occupational, and speech telehealth codes to their schedule. These codes include: 90901, 90912, 90913, 92607, 92608, 92609, 97110, 97112, 97116, 97150, 97161-97164, 97530, 97535, 97537, 97542, 97750, 97755, and 97763. Supervision – CMS is seeking comment on whether this flexibility should potentially be made permanent, meaning that we would revise the definition of “direct supervision” at § 410.32(b)(3)(ii) to include immediate availability through the virtual presence of the supervising physician or a practitioner using real-time, interactive audio/video communications technology without limitation after the PHE for COVID-19, or...
Jul 29, 2021 |
As a result of the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, do hereby renew, effective July 20, 2021, the January 31, 2020, determination by former Secretary Alex M. Azar II, that he previously renewed on April 21, 2020, July 23, 2020, October 2, 2020, and January 7, 2021, and that I renewed on April 15, 2021, that a public health emergency exists and has existed since January 27, 2020,...
