Category Archives: Uncategorized

Temporary Billing Guidelines for Annual Wellness Visits and Initial Preventive Physical Examinations for Rural Health Clinics

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) identified an issue with the January 2013 quarterly release that is impacting the payment to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) and Initial Preventive Physical Examinations (IPPE) services.   … Continue reading

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South Carolina Taxpayers can enroll in free credit monitoring and identity protection!

The state of South Carolina is paying for SC taxpayers to receive identity protection services from Experian for one year. South Carolinian can enroll either online or by phone. To register by phone call 1-866-578-5422. The hot-line is open from … Continue reading

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Medicare Advantage Plans In A Rural Health Clinic Setting

Rural Health Clinics reimbursement with Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan for which the RHC does not have a contract, the Advantage Plan must pay at least the RHC cost rate.  If the RHC has signed a contract with the MA plan, then the … Continue reading

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Be Proactive now with ICD-10 Changes!

The following is an alert from CMS: Although the final rule on the proposed ICD-10 deadline change has yet to be published, it is important to continue planning for the transition to ICD-10. The switch to the new code set … Continue reading

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Hospital Owned Clinics are subject to the new three-day payment rule!

If you are a hospital owned clinic you may be subject to the three-day payment rule. The HCPCS modifier PD will need to added for diagnosis or related non-diagnostic items or services provided in a wholly owned or operated entity … Continue reading

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Reminder: ICD-10 Changes are around the corner

October 13, 2013 is the deadline for the change over from ICD-9 codes to ICD-10. Be sure that you are currently working on upgrading your current system and all of your physicians, Mid-level Providers and coders are reviewing and learning … Continue reading

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EHR Program Deadlines Approaching

Practices and eligible professionals (EPs) must complete any 2011 reporting by the end of February for Medicare programs including meaningful use, e-prescribing and Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). For meaningful use, Feb. 29 is the last day for EPs to … Continue reading

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Centers for Medicare Medicaid revises Rural Health Clinic Cost Rate CAP for 2012!

In accordance with the Social Security Act (Section 1833(f) at http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1833.htm on the Internet), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing the CY payment rates for RHCs and FQHCs effective for services on or after January 3, … Continue reading

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Rural Health Clinic Cost Rate Cap for 2012

The RHC upper payment limit per visit is increased from $78.07 to $79.48 effective January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012 (i.e., CY 2012). The 2012 rate reflects a 1.8 percent increase over the 2011 payment limit in accordance with … Continue reading

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ICD-10: Time to prepare in 2012

The implementation of the new ICD-10 diagnosis code sets are schedule for Oct. 1, 2013. But don’t wait until 2013 to begin your process of conversion. ICD-10 will increase from 15,000 to 140,000 codes that physicians and coders will need … Continue reading

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