2020 Coding Updates

You may have received an email from HHS (Health & Human Services) regarding The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund in which they indicate they will be depositing money for the purposes of COVID-19 response.

APS - Updates on the Accelerated and Advanced Medicare Payment (AAMP) and CAREs Act, Provider Relief Fund (PRF) from HHS

Update: CAREs Act - Provider Relief Fund from HHS

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced late yesterday that an additional $20 billion in payments from the Provider Relief Fund will begin to be distributed this Friday, April 24th.

COVID-19 continues to change the face of healthcare.

During this pandemic many providers have seen a significant reduction in their revenue. It is paramount to take stock and identify any inefficiencies that may be adversely affecting you net revenue.

In the current pandemic environment practice managers and administrators are responsible for a whole host of new responsibilities.

On November 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2019 Quality Payment Program (QPP) Final Rule.

Download this resource for CPT coding changes coming in 2021.

CMS has updated Merit Based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS) for the reporting year 2020 and payment year 2022.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released today (7/26/2019), a notification for Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that effective January 1, 2020, MACs should accept the Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) related HCPCS modifiers on Medicare claims for outpatient advanced diagnostic imaging procedures.

Effective 4/1/2020 reimbursement will change for tomosynthesis services when performed with screening & diagnostic mammography.

CMS has issued the proposed physician fee schedule for 2021 for review and comment.

As we continue to monitor the current global situation related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), Affiliated Professional Services, Inc. (APS) is prepared to ensure the continuity of the services we provide to our clients and their patients.

Late last night, 12/21/2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which covers a host of government spending provisions. Included in the bill is some welcome relief for the otherwise draconian cuts included in the CMS 2021 Fee Schedule Final Rule.

Last night, April 13, 2021, the US House of Representatives passed the bill extending the moratorium on the 2% sequestration through 12/31/2021.

On 11/19/21 CMS has published their physician fee schedule for 2022. The conversion factor is unchanged with regard to the statutory update, but does include a -0.10% budget neutrality adjustment.

On January 1, 2022, a 3% Medicare reimbursement cut will go into effect, impacting radiology practices across the United States.

Please see the downloadable resource for CPT updates effective 01/01/2022

CMS has issued the proposed physician fee schedule for 2022 for review and comment. It includes a grab-bag of changes, some good and some not so good. Here is a list of the most significant proposed changes.

On May 20, 2021, CMS announced that they are reweighting the Cost category from 15% to 0% for the 2020 reporting year. They will redistribute the weight to other categories as shown below. CMS came to this decision based on 3 criteria.