- Additional Residency Positions: Apply by March 31
- Laboratory Testing Urinalysis: Comparative Billing Report in March
- Long-Term Care Hospital Provider Preview Reports: Review by April 14
- Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Provider Preview Reports: Review by April 14
- Make Your Voice Heard Summary: Reducing Burden & Increasing Efficiencies
- Promote Kidney Health During National Kidney Month
News
Additional Residency Positions: Apply by March 31
You can apply for additional residency positions (PDF) under Section 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Submit FY 2024 applications no later than March 31, 2023. For details, see Direct Graduate Medical Education, and scroll to Section 126: Distribution of Additional Residency Positions.
Laboratory Testing Urinalysis: Comparative Billing Report in March
This month, CMS will issue a Comparative Billing Report (CBR) on Medicare Part B claims for laboratory testing urinalysis. Use the data-driven report to compare your billing practices with those of your peers in your specialty and across the nation.
Look for an email from cbrpepper.noreply@religroupinc.com to access your report.
More Information:
- View a webinar recording
- Visit the CBR website
- Register for a live webinar on April 12 from 3–4 pm ET
Long-Term Care Hospital Provider Preview Reports: Review by April 14
Review your data by April 14, and contact CMS if you have questions. We’ll publish the data on Care Compare and in the Provider Data Catalog in June.
Visit Public Reporting for more information.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Provider Preview Reports: Review by April 14
Review your data by April 14, and contact CMS if you have questions. We’ll publish the data on Care Compare and in the Provider Data Catalog in June.
Visit Public Reporting for more information.
Make Your Voice Heard Summary: Reducing Burden & Increasing Efficiencies
CMS released a summary of the results (PDF) from its Make Your Voice Heard Request for Information. We gained valuable public insight on topics like accessing healthcare and providers’ experience delivering healthcare. This information will inform our work and better support the populations we serve. Thank you to everyone who sent comments.
Promote Kidney Health During National Kidney Month
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects an estimated 37 million Americans, amounting to 1 in 7 U.S. adults, and is most common in people over age 65. Since people with early-stage kidney disease usually don’t experience symptoms, 9 in 10 adults living with CKD remain unaware they have the disease.
The 2 largest risk factors for CKD are diabetes and hypertension, along with heart disease and obesity. These are all conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations. Those at high risk for CKD should be sure to get tested for the disease regularly. Medicare covers screenings for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Your patients pay nothing if you accept assignment. Find out when your patient is eligible for screenings. If you need help, contact your eligibility service provider.
More Information:
- CDC CKD Initiative webpage
- Preventive & Screening Services webpage: Get information for your patients
Compliance
Critical Access Hospitals: Bill Correctly
The Information for Critical Access Hospitals (PDF) (CAH) booklet explains how to properly document and bill for services, including:
- Bed and board, nursing, and other related services
- Facilities
- Medical social services
- Drugs
- Biologicals
- Supplies, appliances, and equipment for inpatient hospital care and treatment
An Office of Inspector General report found that Medicare improperly paid CAHs and health care professionals for the same CAH services. A CAH can only bill for facility and professional outpatient services if the physician or practitioner reassigns their billing rights to them.
Physicians or practitioners providing professional outpatient CAH services can either:
- Reassign their billing rights to the CAH and agree to the optional payment method. They must attest that they won’t bill for these services.
- File Medicare Administrative Contractor claims for these services under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
More Information:
- Section 250 Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 4 (PDF)
- Medicare Payment Systems educational tool
- Critical Access Hospitals Center webpage
Claims, Pricers, & Codes
Integrated Outpatient Code Editor: Version 24.1
CMS posted the April 2023 Integrated Outpatient Code Editor files. Learn about claims processing changes effective April 1, 2023.
See the instruction to your Medicare Administrative Contractor (PDF).
Events
Medicare Home Health Prospective Payment System CY 2023 Webinar — March 29
Behavior Change Recap, 60-Day Episode Construction Overview, & Payment Rate Development
Wednesday, March 29 from 1:30–3 pm ET
Register for this webinar.
CMS experts provide an overview of several provisions from the CY 2023 Home Health Prospective Payment System final rule related to behavior changes, the construction of 60-day episodes, and payment rate development.
More Information:
- Home Health Patient-Driven Groupings Model: presentation (PDF), supplemental limited data set files, and descriptive statistics file (ZIP)
- Home Health Agency Center
MLN Matters® Articles
Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System: April 2023 Update
Learn about the April updates (PDF):
- New HCPCS codes for drugs and biologicals
- Corrected 2023 code pair file
- Skin substitute product codes
DMEPOS Fee Schedule: April 2023 Updates
Learn about the April updates (PDF):
- Fee schedule amounts for new and existing codes
- Payment policy changes
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