Industry News

MediQuick Physician Services strives to always stay current with the ever-changing healthcare industry by keeping a finger on the pulse of CMS, AMA, and other regulatory and guidance authorities. We feel this is imperative to provide our clients with the best advantage to stay in compliance. Below you will find a selection of recent news concerning proper coding and documentation, compliance, and other updates relevant to our clients. If you have a question about a particular topic, please contact us. We would love the opportunity to get to know you and your needs better. MediQuick values and respects our clients and we look forward to showing you what the advantages of a partnership with us can mean to your business.

• What to Know About SDoH and the AWV Health Risk Assessment: MM13486 – Annual Wellness Visit: Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessment (cms.gov)
• Pay Attention to Diagnosis Codes to Avoid Denials: Diagnosis Pitfalls to Look for When Seeking to Avoid Denials – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• What are NCCI and MUE edits? General Question for the Week of April 29, 2024 (medlearn.com)
• Query Providers Effectively & Efficiently: CDI Queries Work Best if the Recipient is Kept in Mind – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• Stop Over-Documenting & Creating Note Bloat: Streamline E/M documentation by targeting note bloat | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
• New Outpatient SDOH Codes: The New Outpatient SDoH Codes: How they Apply and What Can be Done – RACmonitor (medlearn.com)
• The Many Nuances of Code G2211: Code G2211 – Another Opinion, and Several Questions – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• Does the Procedure Really Need Pre-Op Testing? Preoperative Testing: Dogma or Dilemma – RACmonitor (medlearn.com)
• Will Your Documentation Solidly Support Your Diagnoses to Payers? Denied! – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• CPT Errata and Technical Corrections for 2024: 2024 CPT® Errata and Technical Corrections | AMA (ama-assn.org)
• Medicare NCCI Policy Manual Updates for 2024: Medicare NCCI Policy Manual | CMS
• Vaccine Coverage Update for Medicare Part D: MLN908764 – Medicare Part D Vaccines (cms.gov)
• Expansion of Coverage for Colorectal Cancer Screening: MM13017 – Removal of a National Coverage Determination & Expansion of Coverage of Colorectal Cancer Screening (cms.gov)
• Changes to Excludes 1 and Excludes 2 Notes: A Plethora of Changes to Excludes 1 and 2 Notes – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• FY 2024 ICD-10-CM Code Updates: FY 2024 ICD-10-CM Code Updates: Key Changes and Highlights – MedLearn Publishing
• When “Confidential” Is Not A Requirement: When ‘Confidential’ isn’t Necessarily Confidential – RACmonitor (medlearn.com)
• MLN Fact Sheet on Telehealth Services-June 2023: MLN901705 – Telehealth Services (cms.gov)
• How to Code for Covid-19 Screening After PHE: Revisiting COVID-19 Screening after PHE Ends – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• Sneak Peek into the 2024 ICD-10-CM Codes: POA is MIA from the FY 2024 ICD-10-CM Guidelines – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• Removal of Benign Skin Lesions? Read the Latest LCD: Article – Billing and Coding: Removal of Benign Skin Lesions (A57113) (cms.gov)
• NCCI Edits-New Edition Effective July 1, 2023: Medicare NCCI Procedure to Procedure (PTP) Edits | CMS
• New Covid-19 Vaccine & Administration Codes for Post-PHE: COVID-19 vaccine and monoclonal antibodies billing for Part B Providers (novitas-solutions.com)
• Gender-Specific Services: Billing Correctly and Usage of the Condition Code/Modifier: 2023-06-08-MLNC | CMS
• The Perils of E&M Codes: The Perils of E&M Codes and Insurance – MedLearn Publishing
• Do You Really Mean “History Of”? The OIG Shines Light on “history of” in MA Programs – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• Keep Your CPT Books Up-To-Date: 2023 CPT® Errata and Technical Corrections | AMA (ama-assn.org)
• What You Need to Know for the End of the PHE: CMS PHE Fact Sheet
• Are You Ready for the PHE Rollback? PHE: The End is Near – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• ICD-10 Guidance Clarification & New SDOH Codes in April 2023: Important Changes to ICD-10-CM Codes and Guidelines – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• Document Inpatient Medical Records Properly in 2023: How to Make the EHR More Effective – ICD10monitor (medlearn.com)
• Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Resources for Professionals: Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Resources for Professionals | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)
• PHE to End on May 11, 2023: U.S. to end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11 | Reuters
• Update Your EMR Templates Now!: https://icd10monitor.medlearn.com/2023-should-be-a-time-for-change-for-the-electronic-medical-record/
• PHE Renewed Again 1.13.2023: Rise in Covid Cases Prompts HHS to Renew PHE – RACmonitor (medlearn.com)
• Novitas Free CEUs on 2023 E/M Guidelines-Register Here: GuideWell Source webex – Register Meeting
• New Year and New NCCI Edits! https://www.cms.gov/medicare-medicaid-coordination/national-correct-coding-initiative-ncci/ncci-medicare/medicare-ncci-procedure-procedure-ptp-edits
• New Codes for Hernia Repair in 2023: Be Prepared: New Hernia Repair Codes Coming Soon – RACmonitor (medlearn.com)
• Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Summary CY 2023: MM12982 – Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Summary: CY 2023 (cms.gov)
• Coding Breast Mass Locations with Specificity: Radiology Question for the Week of November 14, 2022 (medlearn.com)
• Federation of State Medical Boards resource: Federation of State Medical Boards (fsmb.org)
• Novitas Solutions Virtual Symposium on Sept. 28-30 FREE!: September 2022 JH Novitas Solutions Virtual Symposium Agenda (novitas-solutions.com)
• Vaccine Codes 90611 & 90622 Required for Monkeypox and Smallpox with Administration Code: 2022-09-01-MLNC | CMS
• Reduced Risk of Overdose from Opioids Associated with Increased Use of Telehealth During PHE: Increased Use of Telehealth for Opioid Use Disorder Services During COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Reduced Risk of Overdose | CMS
• Which PHE Rules Will Stay or Expire? Physicians and Other Clinicians: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19
• Get Ready for the New ICD-10 Codes Effective October 1st!: ICD-10-CM Guidelines FY 2023 (cms.gov)
• Quick Summary of New ICD-10 Codes for 2023: Updates to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2023 – ICD10monitor
• NEW CLIA-waived Tests: Know Whether or Not to Append Modifier QW: MM12841 – New Waived Tests (cms.gov)
• NEW CPT Codes for Monkeypox Testing & Vaccination: AMA announces CPT update for monkeypox testing and vaccination | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
• AMA Announces 2023 E/M Updates: 2023 CPT E/M descriptors and guidelines (ama-assn.org)
• FAQ on the Emergency Use Authorization for Paxlovid: FAQs on the EUA for Paxlovid 07062022 (fda.gov)
• PHE Extended Until October 12, 2022: COVID-19: Renewal of Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists (hhs.gov)
• Teaching Physicians, Interns, and Residents CMS Guidelines: MLN006347 – Teaching Physicians, Interns, & Residents Guidelines (cms.gov)
• Beware of Medicare Extrapolation Statistics in Recoupment Requests: Why Precision Matters in Healthcare – RACmonitor
• Big Changes Coming in August Regarding Modifier 25 with Cigna and Horizon Blue Cross of New Jersey: News Alert: Turmoil Expected with Modifier 25 – ICD10monitor
• Updated (as of 7/21/22) Covid-19 Vaccine and Administration Codes: COVID-19 Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies | CMS
• A Doctor’s Perspective on the Problem with the Problem List: A Provider’s Take on Why the Problem List is a Problem – ICD10monitor
• The Most Recent CLIA-waived Tests: MM12581 – New Waived Tests (cms.gov)
• The Basics of NCCI’s PTP and MUE Edits and Add-On Codes: General Question for the Week of May 23, 2022 (medlearnmedia.com)
• Tips for Inclusive Communication in Documentation per CDC: CDC Encourages Inclusive Communication to Foster Healthcare Equity – ICD10monitor
• Don’t Report Conditions on the Problem List That You Didn’t Address Today: The Problem with Problem Lists – ICD10monitor
• PHE Extended for Another 90 Days: News Alert: PHE Renewed for 90 Days – RACmonitor
• If the Test is Not Covered by Insurance, Is It Worth the Risk? The Enigma of Testing – RACmonitor
• Still foggy on how to apply the 2021 E/M guidelines for MDM or time to choose the level of service? Reading this should clear the air! Moving to Medical Decision-Making as the Key Component – ICD10monitor
• Using an Electronic Signature? Read the CMS guidelines here: MLN905364 Complying with Medicare Signature Requirements (cms.gov)
• Do your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit templates cover ALL of the required elements? Are you sure? eCFR :: 42 CFR 410.15 — Annual wellness visits providing Personalized Prevention Plan Services: Conditions for and limitations on coverage.
• Can your EHR be more efficient? What about scribes? Have the EHR Improve Your Efficiency – ICD10monitor
• Are you at risk for revocation of Medicare billing privileges? eCFR :: 42 CFR 424.535 — Revocation of enrollment in the Medicare program
• Are you in compliance with the No Surprises Act? No Surprises Act Compliance – NAMAS
• Telehealth during the PHE? Are you ready for an audit? A Telehealth Tune-up under the PHE: Can You Survive an OIG Audit? – ICD10monitor
• More Medicare patients now eligible for lung cancer screening! CMS Expands Coverage of Lung Cancer Screening with Low Dose Computed Tomography | CMS
• How to find help for your patients’ SDOH needs – Findhelp Emerges as Leading Service to Help Providers Address the SDoH – RACmonitor
• The importance of documenting pneumonia specificity – PEPPER Tip: Monitor Pneumonia Specificity – ICD10monitor
• Do you know about the new 2022 codes for Principal Care Managment Services? – New CPT® Codes for Principal Care Management Services – ICD10monitor
• CMS revisions for 2022 on Critical Care, Split/Share, Teaching Physicians, & PA Billing – MM12543 – Internet-Only Manual Updates (IOM) for Critical Care, Split/Shared Evaluation and Management Visits, Teaching Physicians, and Physician Assistants (cms.gov)
• Modifiers FQ & FR for Telehealth Mental Health Services – MM12549 – CY2022 Telehealth Update Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (cms.gov)
• Revised list of Covid-19 Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies as of 3/7/2022 – COVID-19 Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies | CMS
• NIH funding opportunity to address health disparities in patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) – New Funding Available to Help Organizations Address Health Disparities for MCCs – RACmonitor
• What is your data telling Medicare? What Is Your Data Telling Medicare? – ICD10monitor
• Insufficient documentation accounts for more than $15 billion in improper CMS payments – Auditor Update: Part III – RACmonitor
• Remember to update your National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits for the new year! – PTP Coding Edits | CMS
• How providers can be reimbursed for Covid-19 vaccinations to uninsured patients – Provider COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet (hrsa.gov)
• How can providers know if the patient already had a Medicare Wellness Visit? – MLN8816413 – Checking Medicare Eligibility (cms.gov)
• ICD-10-CM Updates now twice per year – COVID-19 Vaccination Codes Coming in April 2022 – ICD10monitor
• Are you ready for the Medicare rule changes on January 1st? – Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule | CMS 
• Have you received a Comparative Billing Report (CBR)? – FAQ (cbrpepper.org)
• Compare the program requirements – Vaccines for Children Program vs. CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program | CDC
• Your one-stop CMS flu shot information page – Flu Shot | CMS
• Medicare now covers a separate cognitive assessment visit for patients who show signs of cognitive impairment during a routine visit. –  Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services | CMS
• Need a handy list of Covid vaccine and administration codes? Here it is! – Find your COVID-19 Vaccine CPT® Codes | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
• Lots of changes coming in January 2022 for E/M – Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule | CMS
• PHE has been renewed for another 90 days – News Alert: Public Health Emergency Extended – RACmonitor
• AMA provides additional coding guidance for Covid-19 – COVID-19 CPT coding and guidance | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)
• Do you have all 7 Elements for an effective compliance program? – HEALTH CARE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM TIPS (hhs.gov)
• Why are internal coding audits important? Read here! – Coding Audits: A Compliance Necessity – ICD10monitor