Thursday, December 17, 2020
- MLN Web-Based Training: Complete Training & Save Certificates by January 31
- IRF Quality Reporting Program: December Refresh
- LTCH Quality Reporting Program: December Refresh
- COVID-19: Stress & Resilience, Crisis Standards of Care
- COVID-19: Designated Hospitals Lessons Learned and Patient Surge Management Strategies
- 2021 Annual Update of Per-Beneficiary Threshold Amounts
- CY 2021 Update for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Fee Schedule
- Summary of Policies in the Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, Telehealth Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Amount and Telehealth Services List, CT Modifier Reduction List, and Preventive Services List
- International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determination (NCDs)--April 2021 — Revised
- Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) Medicare Enrollment — Revised
- Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) Medicare Billing and Payment — Revised
View this edition as a PDF (PDF)
News
MLN Web-Based Training: Complete Training & Save Certificates by January 31
Effective February 1, the Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Learning Management System won’t be available. We’re gradually moving Web-based Training (WBT) courses to cms.gov. Complete your training and save your certificates by January 31.
IRF Quality Reporting Program: December Refresh
The December refresh of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Quality Reporting Program is available. Visit the Care Compare website and Provider Data Catalog to view the data. For more information, visit the Public Reporting webpage.
LTCH Quality Reporting Program: December Refresh
The December refresh of the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program is available. Visit the Care Compare website and Provider Data Catalog to view the data. For more information, visit the Public Reporting webpage.
COVID-19: Stress & Resilience, Crisis Standards of Care
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) released an Express message with new resources:
- COVID-19 and Healthcare Professional Stress and Resilience Exchange Issue 12
- Crisis Standards of Care and COVID-19: What’s Working and What Isn’t webinar: Clinical consultation versus triage support, systems-level information sharing, and planning resources
- Support for Overstretched Clinicians during the Ongoing Pandemic: Programs for staff
For More Information:
- ASPR TRACIE fact sheet
- ASPR TRACIE website
- ASPR TRACIE Novel Coronavirus Resources webpage
COVID-19: Designated Hospitals Lessons Learned and Patient Surge Management Strategies
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) released an Express message with new resources:
- Designated COVID-19 Hospitals: Case Studies and Lessons Learned: Learn from facilities dedicated to caring for COVID-19 patients
- Guidance on Use of High-flow Nasal Cannulas for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: Guidance and clinical resources
- Point-of-Care COVID-19 Tests: Hear from the Association of Public Health Laboratories
For More Information:
- ASPR TRACIE fact sheet
- ASPR TRACIE website
- ASPR TRACIE Novel Coronavirus Resources webpage
Compliance
Ambulance Fee Schedule and Medicare Transports
An Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, found that Medicare made Part B payments to ambulance suppliers for transportation services that were also included in Medicare Part A payments to Skilled Nursing Facilities. Review the Ambulance Fee Schedule and Medicare Transports booklet to help you bill correctly. Additional resources:
- Ambulance Fee Schedule website
- Social Security Act, Sections 1861(e)(1) or 1861(j)(1)
- Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 10 (PDF), Section 10.3.3
- Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 15 (PDF)
- Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 30 (PDF), Section 50
MLN Matters® Articles
2021 Annual Update of Per-Beneficiary Threshold Amounts
CMS issued a new MLN Matters Article MM12014 on 2021 Annual Update of Per-Beneficiary Threshold Amounts (PDF). Learn about updates to the KX modifier thresholds.
CY 2021 Update for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Fee Schedule
CMS issued a new MLN Matters Article MM12063 on CY 2021 Update for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Fee Schedule (PDF). Learn about data files and update factors.
Summary of Policies in the Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, Telehealth Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Amount and Telehealth Services List, CT Modifier Reduction List, and Preventive Services List
CMS issued a new MLN Matters Article MM12071 on Summary of Policies in the Calendar Year (CY) 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, Telehealth Originating Site Facility Fee Payment Amount and Telehealth Services List, CT Modifier Reduction List, and Preventive Services List (PDF). Learn about the policy changes that apply to Medicare Part B.
International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determination (NCDs)--April 2021 — Revised
CMS revised MLN Matters Article MM12027 on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determination (NCDs)--April 2021 (PDF) to update the release date, transmittal number, and web address.
Publications
Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) Medicare Enrollment — Revised
CMS revised the Medicare Learning Network fact sheet, Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) Medicare Enrollment. Learn about:
- Completing and submitting your application
- What to expect
Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) Medicare Billing and Payment — Revised
CMS revised the Medicare Learning Network fact sheet, Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) Medicare Billing and Payment. Learn about:
- Covered services
- Coding and submitting claims
- Payment and remittance advice
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