Search Results for * -- AAFP

What’s new with E/M coding? This chart can help you remember -- FPM

Physicians and other qualified health professionals will now be able to level visits based solely on either medical decision making or total time.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/emcoding_changes_summary.html

COVID-19 is causing a mental health crisis: here’s one model to help these patients -- FPM

Family physicians can play a key role in managing behavioral health conditions, especially in areas where psychiatric resources are scarce.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/integrating_behavioral_health.html

Final rule on the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule delays major changes to E/M ...

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized its much anticipated Final Rule for the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule, which includes simplifications to E/M coding and documentation but delays other major changes.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2019_physician_fee_schedule_final_rule.html

Important MIPS deadlines approaching -- FPM

Here are some important dates and deadlines to keep in mind as you wrap up the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) 2020 performance year.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2020_mips_deadlines.html

COVID-19: New ICD-10 codes for the new year -- FPM

The new codes will change prior CDC guidelines for reporting certain encounters.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2021_covid_codes.html

Chronic care management coding updates for 2020 -- FPM

Chronic care management has been hampered by reimbursements that don't match costs and complex rules for care plans. Some relief is coming this year.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/ccm_changes_2020.html

Cigna institutes new reimbursement policy for virtual care -- FPM

Cigna, one of the country’s largest private health insurers, has implemented a new virtual care reimbursement policy as of Jan. 1. The policy builds on billing and coding flexibilities spurred by COVID-19.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/cigna_virtual_reimbursement.html

Coding for the new coronavirus and COVID-19 illness -- FPM

There is no specific diagnosis code in the U.S. yet for COVID-19. Here's what to use instead.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/coronavirus_diagnosis_coding.html

What coding modifiers to use for Medicare telehealth services and COVID-19 testing -- FPM

Recent regulatory changes affect how you should code for telehealth services and COVID-19 testing when billing Medicare.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/coronavirus_modifier_coding.html

Coronavirus (COVID-19): new telehealth rules and procedure codes for testing -- FPM

CMS has loosened restrictions on telehealth reimbursement for areas where the spread of the new coronavirus has been deemed an emergency.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/coronavirus_testing_telehealth.html

Six things to know about the CARES Act provider relief fund payments -- FPM

The federal government recently started doling out an initial $30 billion in COVID-19 aid payments to Medicare fee-for-service providers. Here's what physicians should know about them.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/COVID19_relief_payments.html

CMS suspends advance payment program -- FPM

Early on in the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS is expanded the program for all Medicare providers throughout the country. The agency now says that other funding is available to those on the front lines of the coronavirus response.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/advance_payments_halted.html

New codes for COVID-19 antibody tests -- FPM

Antibody tests could play a role in determining the true prevalence of the illness in a given area and determining who can return to normal activities as states gradually begin to lift lockdowns.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_antibody_coding.html

How to access small business loans for COVID-19 financial relief -- FPM

Some of the loans now available offer 1% interest or even full loan forgiveness if you keep your employees on the payroll.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_business_loans.html

Three steps to improve preventive service utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic -- FPM

Patients are deferring routine office visits for chronic disease management and preventive services out of concern for their safety during COVID-19. But these visits are important, especially for patients with conditions that require close monitoring, or those who are due for ...

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_preventive_services.html

CMS and CDC release guidance on counseling patients tested for COVID-19 -- FPM

Counseling patients about the importance of isolating, in particular, can help reduce transmission of the illness.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_test_counseling.html

First COVID-19 vaccine CPT codes published -- FPM

The first COVID-19 vaccine and administration codes are for products produced by Pfizer and Moderna.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_vaccine_codes.html

CMS finally specifies which service codes are subject to COVID-19 cost-sharing waiver ...

After several months, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has finally released a list of specific procedure codes that are subject to rules waiving coinsurance and deductibles for COVID-19 testing.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_waiver_codes.html

CMS offers data reporting relief in response to COVID-19 -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has extended the deadline to submit 2019 performance data for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System due to COVID-19.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/data_reporting_relief.html

Evaluation and management (E/M) coding and documentation burden could lighten in 2019 ...

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed rule for the Physician Fee Schedule for 2019 contains significant revisions to the coding, documentation, and payment of office visit evaluation and management services.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/em_coding_proposed_changes.html

How the E/M code RVU increases could affect family physicians’ pay -- FPM

The relative value units (RVUs) for several key E/M codes increased on Jan. 1. Here’s how this could affect your payment rates.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/em_rvus.html

CMS waives telehealth restrictions for FQHC and RHC physicians -- FPM

Under the new guidelines, there are no restrictions on where telehealth service is provided, meaning physicians or practitioners may provide the service from their homes.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/FQHC_covid_telehealth.html

The new Medicare G code: Everything you need to know to take advantage of it -- FPM

On Dec. 21, Congress delayed implementation of the primary care add-on code, G2211, for three years as part of the 2020 Year End Funding Bill and COVID-19 Emergency Funding, and it applied the savings to increase Medicare base payments for all services and specialties by an additional ...

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/g2211_summary.html

Medicare expanding accelerated and advance payments due to COVID-19 -- FPM

The payments are typically offered during natural disasters. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS is expanding the program for all Medicare providers and suppliers throughout the country.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_advance_payments.html

CMS: Patients can self-report vitals for Medicare AWV telehealth visits -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently clarified that during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) patients may self-report vital signs and other biometric data for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) done via telehealth.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_awv_vitals.html

Medicare provides more regulatory relief in response to COVID-19 -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule that made many significant Medicare payment policy changes effective March 1, 2020, and for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_covid_changes.html

CMS answers more key questions on telehealth billing during COVID-19 -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated a frequently asked questions page with new guidance on billing Medicare during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_may_faqs.html

HHS announces new COVID-19 funding for physicians -- FPM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced $20 billion in new funding for physicians and others on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. The application period is Oct. 5 through Nov. 6.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/more_prf_funds.html

New and revised codes for COVID-19 testing -- FPM

The American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel approved new and revised codes for COVID-19 testing this week. The updates to the CPT code set take effect immediately.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/new_covid_tests.html

More new CPT codes approved for COVID-19 vaccines -- FPM

The CPT Editorial Panel has approved a new unique code for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/oxford_vaccine_codes.html

HHS extends application deadline for Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund -- FPM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has extended the Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund distribution provider application deadline.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicaid_relief_extension.html

Prepare now for next round of Paycheck Protection Program funding -- FPM

Given how quickly the first round of funding was exhausted, businesses are advised to apply as soon as possible.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/ppp_second_round.html

IRS says these COVID-19 relief funds are taxable -- FPM

Money that doctors receive from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund will be subject to income tax in most cases.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/provider_relief_taxes.html

The deadline to apply for COVID-19 Provider Relief Funds is only days away -- FPM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had previously announced that certain providers would have this opportunity to receive additional Provider Relief Fund payments.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/relief_funds_deadline.html

New opportunity to get paid for treating uninsured COVID-19 patients -- FPM

The Department of Health and Human Services will soon start accepting claims for COVID-19-related testing and treatment of uninsured patients, to be reimbursed at Medicare rates.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/uninsured_covid.html

Advance care planning: do’s and don'ts -- FPM

If you’ve been avoiding these difficult but important conversations, here are some do’s and don’ts to help you get started.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/advance_care_planning_tips.html

A basic model for behavioral health integration -- FPM

You can get paid to integrate basic behavioral health check-ins into your practice.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/basic_behavioral_health.html

Medicare eases burden for E/M documentation involving medical students -- FPM

If you are a physician who teaches medical students in your practice and involves them in your evaluation and management encounters, your documentation burden for their work is getting easier.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_eases_burden_for_student_EM_documentation.html

Coding COVID-19 exposure -- FPM

Use this diagnosis code for encounters with patients who have suspected exposure to the coronavirus but do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coding_covid_exposure.html

Coronavirus: six ways to prepare your practice now -- FPM

After months of successful containment, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they expect to see widespread transmission of the illness known as COVID-19 in the United States soon

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coronavirus_office_prep.html

Patient triage, scheduling, and rooming: three ways to adapt your workflows for ...

As increasing numbers of patients contact physicians’ offices to report symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory infection, practices need to adapt their workflows to minimize exposure. Here are three recommended changes.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coronavirus_workflow_changes.html

How to leave coronavirus behind when you come home -- FPM

Providing patient care during the pandemic means you and your family are at risk for exposure. Here's how to limit the risk as you return home at the end of your workday.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid19_home.html

When can recovering COVID-19 patients leave isolation, and do they need return-to-work ...

As the COVID-19 outbreaks continues, more physicians may be fielding calls from recovering patients who want to know when they can return to daily activities, including work.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid19_work_notes.html

Four algorithms that answer key questions about COVID-19 -- FPM

For quick guidance on virtual visits, ending home isolation, patient scheduling, and staff illness, download these algorithms.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_algorithms.html

COVID-19 is increasing physician burnout -- FPM

Physician burnout was already a growing problem, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it worse

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_burnout_survey.html

How organizations cause burnout — and what can be done -- FPM

A National Academy of Medicine report identified numerous factors that contribute to physician burnout, many of which were organizational in nature.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/burnout_organizational_causes.html

The parking lot visit: how it works -- FPM

In an effort to minimize patient and staff exposure to infectious pathogens (such as COVID-19), some clinics are conducting parts or the entirety of the encounter in the parking lot or even in the patient's car.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/parking_lot_clinic.html

How to tell policymakers what you need to fight COVID-19 -- FPM

Telling state or federal representatives what’s going on in your practices can not only make them better informed, it can also help ward off feelings of helplessness.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid19_advocacy_tips.html

Employed physicians: will your contract protect you from COVID-19 budget cuts? -- FPM

If you’re among the physicians already affected by budget cuts, or think you might be soon, here’s what you need to know about your employment contract.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_employment_contracts.html

Four tips for maintaining patient relationships despite COVID-19 -- FPM

Fragmentation of care was already making it harder to maintain close ties with patients. Now a viral pandemic has many reluctant to come for office visits. Here are four ways to stay connected.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/maintain_patient_relationships.html

Making self-care a priority, even now -- FPM

Now more than ever, physicians need to be practicing self-care so they can continue to care for others. Here are four things you can do - but just pick one.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/physician_self_care_ideas.html

When to speak up: A guiding principle for public advocacy -- FPM

Family physicians have a distinct mission that extends outside the clinic to matters of public concern.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/patient_advocacy_principle.html

Thirteen ways to reduce the burden of prior authorizations -- FPM

If you've spent any time on the phone with an insurer seeking approval for certain medications or procedures, you likely wished for an easier way. Here are a number of possible avenues to shorten the process.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/prior_authorization_tips.html

Recovering patient volume and practice finances in the wake of COVID-19: 12 tips -- FPM

Patient volume has dropped 60% since the start of the pandemic, and practice revenues have declined 55%. Here’s what practices can do to recover.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/recovering_practice_finances.html

A checklist for reopening your practice for non-essential face-to-face visits -- FPM

The decision to reopen a practice for non-essential in-person visits depends on many factors, including the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in your area. When it’s time to reopen, use this checklist to help ease the process and keep everyone safe.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/reopening_a_practice.html

Four things your team can do to help you save time and avoid burnout -- FPM

While there are many problems in the health care system causing physicians to burn out, one possible solution is to lean on your care team as much as possible.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/prevent_burnout_tips.html

Four principles for handling stress during a crisis -- FPM

In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 public health emergency, stress can be heightened by factors such as secondary trauma, fatigue, and lack of control. To deal with the added stress you might be feeling right now, focus on four principles.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/stress_crisis_tips.html

How to talk to your patients about COVID-19: symptoms, exposure, the vaccine, and ...

Especially now, engaging our patients is an even more critical part of our job: dispelling misinformation and giving our patients solid, evidence-based guidance.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/talking_to_patients_about_covid.html

A virtual visit algorithm: how to differentiate and code telehealth visits, e-visits, ...

There are three options for providing virtual visits: telehealth visits, e-visits, and virtual check-ins. Here's how to tell them apart, and how to code for them.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_algorithm.html

Three federal telehealth rules that no longer apply during the COVID-19 pandemic -- FPM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is waiving a number of telehealth rules during the COVID-19 public health emergency to encourage physicians to evaluate and treat patients remotely, when possible.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_rules_waived.html

How to collect patient vitals for telehealth visits, including AWVs -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently clarified how physicians can collect biometric data for Medicare annual wellness visits from patients who are in their homes.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_visit_vitals.html

Is a pandemic the perfect time to start group visits? -- FPM

Are group visits a good idea during a global pandemic? Probably not in-person, but this might be the perfect time to establish a virtual group visit program.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telemedicine_group_visits.html

Two welcome changes for audio-only telephone visits -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing Medicare payments for audio-only telephone visits to match payments for similar office or outpatient visits. CMS has also broadened the list of services it will cover as telephone visits.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telephone_visits.html

Reopening your practice during COVID-19: where to begin -- FPM

New workflows and other changes are now critical to maintaining social distancing and keeping facilities clean and safe. But where should practices begin?

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/reopening_first_steps.html

10 communication tips for physician phone visits during COVID-19 -- FPM

Telephone visits may pose fewer technology challenges than telehealth (video) visits, but they present unique communication challenges of their own as a result of the lack of face-to-face communication.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telephone_visit_tips_2.html

Four virtual visit options for treating patients who can't do video -- FPM

Patients may be leery about coming into your office during the COVID-19 pandemic, no matter how many safety measures you take. Here are four ways to treat them remotely even if they don’t have the equipment or technological know-how to do video visits.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/virtual_visit_options.html

CMS proposes simpler Medicare documentation guidelines in 2019 fee schedule -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is looking to use its annual update of the Medicare physician fee schedule to address long-simmering complaints with how the program requires physicians and other clinicians to document evaluation and management visits.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2019_proposed_fee_schedule.html

ICD-10 annual update: what family physicians need to know -- FPM

The ICD-10-CM diagnosis code annual update will take effect Oct. 1, which means it’s time to prepare your practice.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2021_diagnosis_codes.html

Anthem rescinds modifier 25 cuts -- FPM

Last week, Anthem, one of the nation's largest commercial health plans, notified the American Medical Association it has decided to not proceed with a policy to reduce payments by 25 percent for evaluation and management codes appropriately reported with CPT modifier 25.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/anthem_rescinds_modifier_25_cuts.html

CMS delays enforcement of Appropriate Use Criteria program -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced an extension of the education and testing period for its Appropriate Use Criteria program through calendar year 2021.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/auc_delayed.html

Incentive payments coming soon for APM qualifying participants -- FPM

For clinicians participating in an advanced alternative payment model, 2019 incentive payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could be headed your way soon.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/apm_incentive_payment.html

CMS: rate of physicians receiving Value Modifier penalties falls in final year -- FPM

CMS has announced that fewer physicians will receive a negative payment adjustment under the Value Modifier program this year than in the past two years.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2018_Value_Modifier_penalties_falls.html

More is not always better for diagnosis coding -- FPM

Some physicians question whether they should report diagnoses beyond those addressed at a patient visit to ensure the best possible HCC score (and thus the best possible risk adjustment).

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/better_diagnosis_coding.html

CMS opens Direct Contracting alternative payment program applications -- FPM

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has opened applications for its Direct Contracting program.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/direct_contracting_portal.html

New CPT code for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) antigen testing -- FPM

Antigen testing is designed to be quicker and simpler than other tests for the coronavirus and can be conducted at the point of care.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_antigen_testing.html

Time to educate your patients about new Medicare cards -- FPM

CMS has published free resources to help notify your patients that the new Medicare beneficiary cards are coming.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/educating_your_patients_about_new_Medicare_cards.html

New Medicare home health payment feature has implications for physician orders -- FPM

Home health changes coming to Medicare in 2020 won't affect physician payments, but could change how much information home health providers request in physician orders.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/home_health_coding.html

Deadline to submit MIPS data fast approaching -- FPM

Failure to report Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) data will result in a -7% adjustment to Medicare claims.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/MIPs_data_deadline.html

Medicare card rollout update -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has started mailing new Medicare cards to recipients living in states that represent the Wave 4 of the new card rollout that began this spring.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_card_update.html

Medicare unveils influenza vaccine payment allowances for 2020-2021 flu season -- FPM

The allowances range from about $10 to about $60.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/flu_shot_allowances.html

CMS provides more information on patients’ eligibility for pneumonia vaccines -- FPM

A change in Medicare reporting should make it easier to identify when a patient is eligible for a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/pneumonia_vaccine.html

Pre-diabetes program available to Medicare patients beginning April 1 -- FPM

Medicare is expanding Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program with effective with dates of service on or after April 1.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/prediabetes_program_opens_to_Medicare_patients_April_1.html

When you’re more current than Medicare -- FPM

Claims getting denied because of Medicare's outdated national coverage determination codes? Here's what to do.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/outdated_medicare_ncds.html

Medicare instructs contractors to cease local pneumococcal vaccination frequency edits ...

Have you had inappropriately denied claims for pneumococcal vaccination? Here's what to do.

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https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/pneumococcal_vaccination_frequency_edits.html

Helping compare Medicare costs and copayments gets easier -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has launched a new online tool that allows consumers to compare Medicare payments and copayments for certain procedures that are performed in both hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/procedure_price_lookup.html

Feds release new info on COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund reporting requirements -- FPM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released detailed reporting requirements for health care providers that receive payments from the $175 billion COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/prf_reporting_requirements.html

QPP feedback reports now available -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released feedback reports telling eligible physicians and practice groups how they did during the first full year of complying with the Quality Payment Program.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/QPP_feedback_reports.html

Deadlines approaching for Medicare alternative payment programs -- FPM

The end of the year will bring several important deadlines for Medicare’s Quality Payment Program.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/qpp_deadlines_approaching.html

Regulatory relief coming for Stark and anti-kickback self-referral laws -- FPM

The changes include new safe harbor protections for coordinated care and value-based payment arrangements.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/regulatory-relief-for-stark-and-anti-kickback-self-referral-laws.html

Check your QPP participation status with updated CMS tool -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated its Quality Payment Program Participation Status Tool based on new data.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/qpp_participation_update.html

Transitional care management: four common questions -- FPM

The rules for coding and billing transitional care management (TCM) services can be confusing. Here are four common questions.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/transitional_care.html

CMS again offers QPP data reporting relief, but this time it's not automatic -- FPM

Practices participating in MIPS that have been significantly impacted by the public health emergency can apply for the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/qpp_relief.html

Ten things to know as you prepare for 2017 MIPS reporting -- FPM

Deadlines are fast approaching if you plan to submit data for the 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System performance period. Here are the top 10 things you need to do and know if you are an eligible clinician.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/Ten_things_to_know_for_2017_MIPS_reporting.html

COVID-19 diagnosis coding explained in a flowchart -- FPM

Four months into the COVID-19 pandemic, questions still remain about how to code these cases. This flowchart has the answers.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_diagnosis_flowcharts.html

Check flu vaccine codes to avoid claim denials -- FPM

If you are receiving denials on your Medicare claims for influenza vaccinations this season, it may be due to inadvertent coding errors.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/vaccine_claims_denied.html

New code for vaping-related illness may require a billing system update -- FPM

Update your electronic health record and billing systems for a new diagnosis code for vaping-related illness that takes effect April 1.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/vaping_related_illness.html

Five steps to set up ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in your practice -- FPM

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides more accurate data than in-office blood pressure checks, which is useful for identifying issues that might otherwise stay hidden and ruling out white coat hypertension.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/ambulatory_bp_monitoring.html

How to avoid burnout in a broken health care system -- FPM

The administrative barriers facing physicians who want to provide quality care keep growing. How do you avoid lose sight of what's important?

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/committed_to_medicine.html

Nine measurements for evaluating the quality of your dementia care -- FPM

A nationally recognized, evidence-based, group of metrics physicians can use to evaluate their current level of dementia care and improve upon it.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/dementia_care_quality.html

Gallows humor in the time of COVID-19 -- FPM

Gallows humor has long been a part of medicine, and research shows that when deployed appropriately, it can relieve tension in stressful situations.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_gallows_humor.html