Monthly Archives: March 2021
What We’re Reading – Inappropriate Billing, Fraud Gaining Scrutiny
Despite the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) has not missed a beat. Regulators are still focusing on fraud and non-compliance. This article refers to a bulletin, issued in February … Read Full Post
CMS Releases “Telehealth for Providers: What You Need to Know”
Despite all the information about telehealth (TH) published and available since the Spring of 2020, misconceptions and misunderstandings still exist and can be costly in lost revenue and billing error recoupments. CMS has published a very comprehensive guide to TH … Read Full Post
OIG Pursues Audits of Part B Telehealth
The Office of Inspector General’s work plan for 2021 includes audits on Medicare Part B telehealth (TH) use. Phase one of these audits focuses on assessing, among other things, whether E/M services conducted via TH meet Medicare requirements. Phase two … Read Full Post
DOL Postpones Changes to Independent Contractor Rule
In earlier blogs (here and here), we explained the need for clearer guidelines when classifying workers as independent contractors and the changes to this important legislation. The test for determining worker status has been ambiguous and subject to interpretation over … Read Full Post
What We’re Reading – Six ways to motivate your team for free
As employers, we appreciate our workers and have responded to COVID with as much flexibility as possible, but how do we motivate our teams when our emotional tanks and bank accounts may be depleted? This article sets out some ideas … Read Full Post
What We’re Reading – OIG Sets Guidelines for Hospitals Referring to Home Health Providers
CMS requires hospitals to provide patients being discharged with a list of home health providers in the area in addition to information about important metrics, such as quality measures, so patients can make informed decisions. The Office of Inspector General … Read Full Post
What We’re Reading – A year after lockdown: 5 ways the world of work has changed for good
It’s doubtful that anyone remains unaffected by the lockdowns that persist a year after the start of the public health emergency. Every sector and group would argue that the effects have been particularly difficult on its own members, but most … Read Full Post
Billing No-Nos: Careless Eligibility Checks
Eligibility checking is one of the foundations of proper billing. This is the process by which the practice verifies the insurance status of the patient before services are rendered; the second aspect of eligibility checks is careful examination of the … Read Full Post
Opportunities Abound Despite Medicaid Moratorium
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the temporary moratorium on new home health agency enrollments into the Florida Medicaid program through July 29, 2021. However, there currently are other opportunities to become a Florida Medicaid service … Read Full Post
Billing No-Nos: The Uncredentialed Provider
Welcome to this series on billing errors. Over the next few weeks, we will bring you common issues we continue to see when working with medical practices large and small. The first “no-no” to explore is the uncredentialed provider. We … Read Full Post