Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates

Lab Testing Guidance for COVID-19

COVID-19 Updates, Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(Updated March 31, 2020): On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a National Emergency[1] related to the current Coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak. The declaration gives Secretary Alex Azar of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) the power to waive certain Federal requirements in Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP in order to address the […]

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Section 1135 Waiver Issues and COVID-19

COVID-19 Updates, Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(March 25, 2020): On January 31, 2020, Secretary Alex Azar, of the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), used his authority under the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency in the United States.[1] Secretary Azar determined that a public health emergency had existed nationwide since January 27, 2020. Subsequently,

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COVID-19 Outbreak Update – Two Recent Updates From CMS Affecting Relief From Quality Reporting Requirements, And New Targeted Plan For Healthcare Facility Inspections Including Provider-Self Assessment Tool For Infection Control

COVID-19 Updates, Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(March 25, 2020): As our clients and all members of the health care community are acutely aware, the challenges raised by the Coronavirus / COVID-19 outbreak are critical and widespread. Because of these challenges, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other principal operating components of the United States Department of Health and

COVID-19 Outbreak Update – Two Recent Updates From CMS Affecting Relief From Quality Reporting Requirements, And New Targeted Plan For Healthcare Facility Inspections Including Provider-Self Assessment Tool For Infection Control Read More »

COVID-19 SBA Loan Support May be Available for Qualified Health Care Providers

COVID-19 Updates, Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(March 25, 2020): The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loans to small businesses through community lenders. The SBA acts as guarantor for these loans. In addition to the traditional lending, the SBA is also authorized to offer disaster assistance to businesses, renters, and homeowners who are located in regions with “declared disasters.”[1] Small businesses impacted

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Coronavirus Update – HHS & CMS Guidance, Directives and Waivers with Respect to Telemedicine, Provider Enrollment Regulations, Claim Appeals, the Suspension of Non-Emergency Survey Inspections, Nursing Homes, Home Health Agencies, Dialysis Facilities and DME Suppliers.

COVID-19 Updates, Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

UPDATED (March 17, 2020): CMS just announced a waiver of certain telehealth coverage requirements so that Medicare beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. The article below has been updated to address these key takeaways. (March 16, 2020): On March 13, 2020, President

Coronavirus Update – HHS & CMS Guidance, Directives and Waivers with Respect to Telemedicine, Provider Enrollment Regulations, Claim Appeals, the Suspension of Non-Emergency Survey Inspections, Nursing Homes, Home Health Agencies, Dialysis Facilities and DME Suppliers. Read More »

Responding to a Medicare Revocation Action Effective Prior to November 4, 2019

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(UPDATE: March 9, 2020): A Medicare revocation action can destroy the financial viability of your practice. Moreover, effective November 4, 2019, the reasons for which a health care provider or supplier may have its Medicare billing privileges revoked have greatly expanded. Our article titled “42 CFR Sec. 424.535(a) Medicare Revocation Actions — Your Medicare Billing

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42 CFR Sec. 424.535(a) Medicare Revocation Actions — Your Medicare Billing Privileges Can be Revoked For a Host of New Reasons. Are You Facing a Medicare Revocation Action? If so, You Must Act Fast to Preserve Your Appeal Rights.

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(March 9, 2020): Last September, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Final Rule titled “Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Programs; Program Integrity Enhancements to the Provider Enrollment Process.” The Final Rule under 42 CFR Sec. 424.535(a) was published in order to implement sections 1866(j)(5) and 1902(kk)(3) of the Social Security

42 CFR Sec. 424.535(a) Medicare Revocation Actions — Your Medicare Billing Privileges Can be Revoked For a Host of New Reasons. Are You Facing a Medicare Revocation Action? If so, You Must Act Fast to Preserve Your Appeal Rights. Read More »

Telemedicine Audits of Evaluations by Referring Physicians are Increasing

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(February 17, 2020): Over the last few months, we have seen a significant increase in the number of telemedicine audits and investigations by law enforcement and program integrity contractors.  Unfortunately, most of the calls we have received have been from physicians who have inadvertently become associated with a number of improper telemedicine schemes.  The purpose

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Providers Should Ensure That They Are Fully Aware of All of the Collateral Consequences that May Occur When Settling with the Government

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(December 2, 2019): Over the past several years, several clients have come to our Firm who have resolved disputes through such mechanisms as settlement agreements, criminal pleas, or consent orders, either because they specified minimal penalties or because they did not include any time in incarceration. Later they discover that agreeing to these resolutions has

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What is the CMS Preclusion List? What is the Difference Between an Exclusion and a Preclusion Action? How Can You Appeal a CMS Preclusion Action?

Medicare, Medicaid & Private Payor Updates /

(October 8, 2019): On April 16th, 2018, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), issued a Final Rule entitled, “Medicare Program; Contract Year 2019 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost Plan, Medicare Fee-for-Service, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs, and the PACE Program.”

What is the CMS Preclusion List? What is the Difference Between an Exclusion and a Preclusion Action? How Can You Appeal a CMS Preclusion Action? Read More »