News

On October 30, 2015, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2016 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) final rule. The final rule updates Medicare payment policies and rates for: hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs); ASCs; and partial hospitalization services provided by community mental health centers (CMHCs). Additionally, the final rule makes refinements to quality reporting programs in these outpatient settings and makes changes to the Two Midnight Rule. The final rule goes into effect on January 1, 2016. CMS is accepting public comments on the final rule until 5 p.m. EST on December 29, 2015. Summary of Final 2016 Rule for ISASS Members

On October 30, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final 2016 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). In the final rule, CMS finalizes RVUs for Calendar Year (CY) 2016 for the PFS and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that CMS payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services, as well as changes in the statute. This is the first PFS final rule since the repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate formula by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). The final rule goes into effect on January 1, 2016. CMS is accepting public comments on the final rule until 5 p.m. EST on December […]

ISASS signed on to an AMA letter to Congress urging intervention to reform and refocus the electronic health record (EHR) meaningful use program. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) established incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, critical access hospitals and Medicare Advantage Organizations to promote the adoption and meaningful use of interoperable health information technology and qualified electronic health records. The State 1 final rule (2011-2012) set the foundation for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs by establishing requirements for the electronic capture of clinical data, including providing patients with electronic copies of their health information. The Stage 2 final rule (2014) expanded upon the Stage 1 criteria and encouraged use of health information technology […]

News and noteworthy information for October: Medicare Administrative Contractor News GAO appoints HHS Advisory Committee on Physician Payment Models Developing New Physician Payment Models: Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model—A Preview of What’s to Come in Spine Request for Information on New Provisions of MACRA Physician Compare Preview Period Informal Review Request Period for the 2016 Value Modifier Physician Quality Reporting System Payment Adjustment and Informal Review Process CMS Issues Final Electronic Health Record Rules Budget Agreement Reached Between Congressional Leaders and Administration President Obama Announces Joint Effort to Combat Opioid Abuse 2016 Final Physician Fee Schedule & Hospital Outpatient and ASC Final Rule   Medicare Administrative Contractor News NGS Medicare – Draft LCD for MIS SIJ Fusion (DL36406) CGS […]