Coding Resource Center
January 2022
On January 14, 2022, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the renewal of the public health emergency (PHE) declared due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The PHE was originally declared on January 31, 2020. Extensions occurred on April 21, 2020; July 25, 2020; October 23, 2020; January 7, 2021; April 15, 2021; July 19, […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued two final guidance documents that provide recommendations for utilizing patient perspectives in medical device clinical studies. The first is Patient Engagement in the Design and Conduct of Medical Device Clinical Studies. As outlined by the FDA, the objectives in this 11-page document are to: Help sponsors understand […]
December 2021
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which advises Congress on Medicare reimbursement policies each year, has drafted recommendations for 2023 facility payments. Congress is not required to adopt MedPAC’s recommendations. As part of its draft recommendations, the panel has proposed increasing payments by 2% to acute care hospitals based on cost report data. A payment […]
In response to both physician and hospital groups lobbying to stop the scheduled Medicare payment cuts, Congress introduced a Bill on December 6, 2021, to increase physician payments under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for 2022. It was passed by the Senate and signed into law on December 11, 2021. This bill, entitled “The […]
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA), among others representing hospitals, health systems and physicians filed suit over the implementation of the No Surprises Act rule. In comments submitted on the interim final rule, the AHA strongly urged federal regulators to restore the independence of the independent dispute resolution process in […]
November 2021
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS)/Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). These final rules cover physician and hospital outpatient/ambulatory surgery services furnished to beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2022. Highlights are described below: For MFPS: The […]
A white paper on ICD-11 from the International Federation of Health Information Management Associations (IFHIMA), a non-governmental organization (NGO) in an official connection with the World Health Organization (WHO), was issued. This document includes case studies and guidance for HIM professionals and recommends their participation in relevant committees, task forces and workgroups. The report and […]
October 2021
The place of service (POS) codes provide the necessary setting information in order for claims to be paid correctly. Effective January 1, 2022, the following new POS code and revised POS code will be implemented as part of the professional claim adjudication process: POS 02: Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home Revised descriptor: The […]
On September 30, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule (IFR) to address large out-of-pocket costs to consumers from “surprise billing.” This IFR is the second set of rulemaking from the current Administration that implements the No Surprises Act, signed into law December 2020. The overall intent of […]
On October 16, 2021, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the renewal of the public health emergency (PHE) declared due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The PHE was originally declared on January 31, 2020. Extensions occurred on April 21, 2020; July 25, 2020; October 23, 2020; January 7, 2021; April 15, 2021; and July […]
