Each year, KarenZupko & Associates, Inc., (KZA) sends a precourse survey to those who have registered for the KZA/AAOS coding and reimbursement workshops. The results provide insights on a variety of coding, documentation, and revenue-cycle processes and trends. In 2019, KZA received 178 completed surveys.
This article summarizes three revenue cycle data points from the 2019 survey results and provides commentary and guidance from two revenue-cycle experts.
—Cheyenne Brinson, CPA (inactive), MBA, of KarenZupko & Associates, Inc. (KZA)
Tips 2 and 3 are the two most impactful things a practice can do to increase patient collections and decrease patient accounts receivable.
—Amy Anderson, MBA, of KZA
The Academy’s numerous free practice management resources provide knowledge, education, clinical tools, and professional support that help you meet the challenges of your chosen specialty and build mastery throughout your career.
Access white papers, the Practice Management Advice Center, webinar recordings, and learn about topics such as Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act delivery reform and the Quality Payment Program.
> Practice Management Center
The Joint Commission released its updated total hip and knee replacements requirements for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers that are part of the Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Certification program.
Among the new requirements, which take effect on July 1, participating groups are required to follow AAOS clinical practice guidelines.
>Learn more
On January 17, AAOS submitted feedback to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on its proposal to ease scope of practice restrictions.
The agency had requested input and recommendations on carrying out the President’s recent executive order to eliminate certain supervision and licensure requirements that “limit healthcare professionals from practicing at the top of their professional license.”
In its comments, AAOS stressed the importance of keeping the title "physician" reserved only for those health care professionals who have completed rigorous training and passed the United States Medical Licensing Exam. AAOS also reiterated support for non-physician providers who work as valued members of physician-led care teams. In addition to offering its own comments, AAOS signed onto the American Medical Association’s feedback letter which cited the impact these changes would have on the overall cost and quality of care. Read AAOS’ full comments to CMS…
On the state level, NYSSOS focuses advocacy efforts on ensuring that all patients have access to high quality, comprehensive musculoskeletal care by providers who have met and completed uniform standards for education, licensure, training and certification. > Advocacy Program
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), along with JAAOS (aka the “Yellow Journal”), the AAOS Resident Assembly and OrthoMentor have come together to create this forum in order to further the mentorship and education of orthopaedic surgeons during various stages in their career. Authors from the contributing organizations will offer insights into residency transitions, medical school success, attending involvement and more.
Learn More: https://soundsfromthetrainingroom.com/
Faculty draw on material based on common test questions to guide you through the vast amount of content for each specialty area. This focused approach includes dedicated time for high-yield review sessions to re-cap the most important testable facts and concepts.
This blended learning program is the premier course with exclusive pre- and post-event resources with online access to study resources to build your confidence at your own pace. Start preparing early - access to the pre-course content on an exclusive registrant portal will be available in January 2020.
S.2849, vetoed on December 23rd, would have created a list of safeguards designed to protect patients with private, commercial health insurance plans seeking to remove drugs from their pharmacy benefit formularies, in the middle of a contract year. New York’s current law puts thousands of patients at risk of losing access to therapies for such chronic and life-threatening diseases as epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, among many others. It also usurps decisions by physicians as to what the most effective therapy is to treat a patient’s condition. NYSSOS was in support of the passage of the bill.
The Governor vetoed the bill because of concerns that “Insurers would have to anticipate and set rates for hypothetical future drug price increases, causing higher premiums for everyone, while pharmaceutical companies would be able to raise their prices with impunity”.
On December 26, the Governor vetoed, S.6531, which would have increased the oversight, transparency and accountability of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMS). According to a recent article published by MSSNY, the Governor vetoed the bill because of concerns that provisions could be pre-empted by ERISA, and invite scrutiny from the FTC and DOJ and “sweep in plans that are not true PBMs, but rather health benefit funds only.”
The NYS Workers’ Compensation Board has a number of resources to help medical providers understand and utilize the NY Workers’ Compensation Drug Formulary.
• Overview Video: Providers are encouraged to watch the Board’s video for medical providers, which includes a detailed overview, examples, and screenshots of the new drug formulary and the associated processes.
• Drug Formulary Web Page: Providers can also visit the Drug Formulary Overview page for information about the NY WC Formulary, a PDF of current and previous versions, details on the prior authorization process, frequently asked questions, and quick links to additional resources.
• New! January 13th Live Webinar Q&A Session: The Board is hosting a follow-up Q&A webinar so you can get answers to any remaining questions you may have. To make the most of this time, please be sure to watch the video and review the website information ahead of this session.
January 13, 2019 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Register Here
If you would like to send your questions in advance of the session, or if you have an urgent question, please write to wcbmedicaldirectorsoffice@wcb.ny.gov.
Advocating for the orthopaedic surgeon, patients and musculoskeletal health in New York.
info@nyssos.org 1-518-439-0000 Address: PO Box 38004, Albany, NY 12203
