All Blogs

All Blogs

CPT code telephone 99443

30-Min Call Now Pays $110

QUESTION: Medicare already covers a physician telephone call with G2012. With the recent virtual care coding changes, should I now use 994xx instead? Subscription question from Bangor, Maine ANSWER: CMS made CPT telephone call codes (99441-99443) payable as of March 1, 2020, and increased their reimbursement to make them equivalent to mid-level established patient office […]
Published Date: April 29, 2020
Read More
WA ENT Practice

Announcing Your Community Corner, Unite in Overcoming COVID-19 Challenges

No matter what size or shape your practice is, the coronavirus pandemic has forever changed you, your staff and your operations. Constant, fast-changing regulations related to how and where you can treat patients have made it even more difficult. Overcoming these challenges requires all of us to pull together as a community, learn from each […]
Published Date: April 24, 2020
Read More
HIPAA Violations Zoom

Use Zoom Judiciously or Face Lawsuit

QUESTION: We heard that HIPAA allowed any technology for telehealth exams during the pandemic.  While researching the options, Zoom was a low barrier entry due to low monthly cost and single sign on function. We have read reports of some companies banning the technology because of security issues. However, we’ve also read that during this […]
Published Date: April 22, 2020
Read More
Cost Sharing Waivers

Avoid COVID-19 Fraud: Comply with Cost Sharing Waivers

CMS and private payers have recently implemented a variety of prior-authorization, copay and cost-sharing billing waivers for the COVID-19-related services you supply to your patients. Many of the services included in these waivers are being made available to patients at no cost. This helps prevent the inability to pay for services as a barrier to […]
Published Date: April 21, 2020
Read More

Unlock CARES Funding: HHS Broadly Defines COVID-19 Patient Care

QUESTION: We are interested in applying for loans from the CARES Act. While researching the options, we read that the funds are restricted to practices that are providing care for patients with COVID-19. We are an orthopedic practice and caring for patients who may have COVID-19. However, we are not testing patients for the virus. […]
Published Date: April 17, 2020
Read More
remain productive during COVID19

Improve Your Practice and Remain Productive

Stay-at-home orders and mandates to delay elective procedures have significantly reduced patient volume at your practice. To justify paying your staff, you need to quickly find ways for them to remain productive during COVID-19. Between pandemic stress and less work to do, your staff could easily settle into an unproductive rut. But there are ways […]
Published Date: April 15, 2020
Read More

5 Steps Prevent Overcharging COVID-19 Testing

If your practice is testing patients for COVID-19, you’ve got a bunch of new codes and payment rules that you need to follow, so you get paid on time, every time – without violating kit reimbursement law. In the past few weeks, CMS has released a significant amount of guidance on COVID-19 coding and co-pay […]
Published Date: April 14, 2020
Read More
Boost Practice Morale

10 Ways to Stay Connected, Boost Practice Morale

Your practice is adjusting to a landslide of constant changes caused by the recent coronavirus pandemic — decreased patient volumes, remote or furloughed staff, absences due to quarantine orders, etc. However, your patients are still relying on you to provide care and help them overcome the surmounting coronavirus fear and stress. Now, more than ever, […]
Published Date: April 9, 2020
Read More
telehealth incidentto hospital

Get Paid for Remote Services for Your Hospitalized Patients

QUESTION: We are really confused on the constant telehealth regulatory changes. Our providers understand that new codes qualify with less supervision – and even without audio. We have several elderly patients who require ongoing care. Can you provide us with some recent options for CMS paid telehealth so we can continue to care for our […]
Published Date: April 8, 2020
Read More
COVID-19 financial lifelines

Rescue Your Practice, Master COVID-19 Financial Assistance

Although COVID-19 has been a significant burden on your practice, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act offers financial lifelines to help you keep running until things get back to normal. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the key advanced payments and small business loans, and funding options available to your practice: […]
Published Date: April 7, 2020
Read More