Ashley Morgan

It’s Time for CMS and Congress to Review Outdated Medicare and Medicaid Provisions

Firm News /

(November 23, 2016): Michael Cook, co-chair of the Health Care Group, has an article published in the October issue of the American Health Lawyers Association Journal of Health Law & Life Sciences entitled “It’s Time for CMS and Congress to Review Outdated Medicare and Medicaid Provisions.” The article discusses the fact that given the dramatic […]

It’s Time for CMS and Congress to Review Outdated Medicare and Medicaid Provisions Read More »

CMS Seeks to Overhaul Medicare Claims Appeal Process

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(July 18, 2016): The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a series of proposed changes to the Medicare claims appeal process. The new rules primarily impact the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level of review, and CMS has indicated that the purpose of these changes is to help reduce the backlog of pending

CMS Seeks to Overhaul Medicare Claims Appeal Process Read More »

CMS Announces Home Health Pre-Claim Review Demonstration Project for Five States

Home Health & Hospice /

(July 5, 2016) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a home health pre-claim review demonstration project to be initiated in five states. According to CMS, the purpose of the new project is to prevent improper Medicare payments, enhance quality of care, and deter waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program.

CMS Announces Home Health Pre-Claim Review Demonstration Project for Five States Read More »

CMS Expands ALJ Appeal Claim Settlement Process to Include Part A Providers

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(April 4, 2016) In an effort to reduce the enormous backlog of pending Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) appeals, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that it has expanded the pilot Settlement Conference Facilitation (SCF) process to include Part A claims. This process, which was previously only available to providers with pending

CMS Expands ALJ Appeal Claim Settlement Process to Include Part A Providers Read More »

Home Health HIPAA Violation Costs $239,800!

Home Health & Hospice /

(March 29, 2016) Lincare, Inc., a provider of respiratory care, infusion therapy and medical equipment to in-home patients, will pay $239,800 in Civil Money Penalties (CMPs) for violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule after a HHS Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ruled in favor of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Home Health HIPAA Violation Costs $239,800! Read More »

Coverage and Payment of New Products – CPT / HCPCS Code Issues

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(January 12, 2016): With the advent of the Affordable Care Act and the changes in the payment incentives that are being developed by payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs, many emerging companies are developing new products and devices for the market. While companies will take these products through the regulatory process of obtaining FDA

Coverage and Payment of New Products – CPT / HCPCS Code Issues Read More »

Providers, Hospitals, and the CJR Program – What You Need To Know!

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(January 12, 2016): In our previous article on this subject, we discussed the new Comprehensive Joint Replacement program (CJR program) that CMS has initiated. Under that program, Medicare will pay approximately 800 hospitals in 67 MSAs a bundled payment to cover the costs of virtually all the care that is related to the treatment of

Providers, Hospitals, and the CJR Program – What You Need To Know! Read More »

DME Audits are Back! Are Your Claims Compliant?

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(December 22, 2015): The number of durable medical equipment (DME) audits conducted by Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) and Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs) have surged in recent years. Medicare contractors have gradually increased their scrutiny of DME suppliers’ claims. This has resulted in increased postpayment audits of DME suppliers’ claims and associated overpayment demands made

DME Audits are Back! Are Your Claims Compliant? Read More »

Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth (or how to deal with holiday gifts)

Regulatory Issues | Privacy | Other /

(December 8, 2015): Last month we discussed performing audits in your practice. With the winter holidays just around the corner, we are going to take a detour from our process through establishing a compliance program. November, December, January and February bring many holidays and parties. These are usually an opportunity for happiness and cheer, but

Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth (or how to deal with holiday gifts) Read More »