COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Vaccine and Administration Codes, Payment Allowances & Effective Dates
The COVID-19 Vaccine is here and is ready to be administered. As providers the next big step is to procure the vaccine and administer it. Likewise, it is important to know that Medicare will cover and pay for the administration of the vaccine, when furnished consistent with the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The payment and…Read More
Medicare FFS Claims: 2% Payment Adjustment (Sequestration) Suspended through 3/31/2021
On December 28, 2020, CMS announced that the 2% Payment Adjustment (Sequestration) for Medicare FFS Claims have been suspended through March: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act suspended the payment adjustment percentage of 2% applied to all Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims from May 1 through December 31. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,…Read More
CDC Announces 6 New ICD10 Codes for COVID-19 Effective 01/01/2021
On December 3, 2020, the CDC announced six (6) new ICD10 diagnosis codes to identify conditions resulting from COVID-19. These ICD10 Codes will become effective on January 1, 2021. The new codes are: Z11.52 – Encounter for screening for COVID-19 Z20.822 – Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19 Z86.16 – Personal history of COVID-19…Read More
CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkits
CMS released a set of toolkits for providers, states and insurers to help the health care system prepare to swiftly administer the vaccine once it is available. These resources are designed to increase the number of providers that can administer the vaccine and ensure adequate reimbursement for administering the vaccine in Medicare, while making it clear…Read More
AMA Announces Substantial COVID-19 CPT Code Changes as of October 2020
The AMA has announced new CPT codes have been created that streamline the novel coronavirus testing currently available in the United States market. Among these is a new code to describe the additional supplies and clinical staff time required to mitigate transmission of respiratory infectious disease while providing evaluation, treatment, or procedural services during a…Read More
CMS Announces New Repayment Terms for Medicare Loans made during COVID-19
CMS has announced amended terms for payments issued under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program. The new recoupment terms allow providers and suppliers one additional year to start loan payments. From the CMS press release: Providers were required to make payments starting in August of this year, but with this action, repayment will be…Read More
New COVID-19 Assessment & Counselling Templates
We have created two new COVID-19 templates for ChartMaker® Clinical that allows you to easily document COVID-19 assessment and counselling in your patient charts. These templates are available to our ChartMaker® Clinical clients free of charge as a gesture of support to our providers as you strive to take care of your patients during this unprecedented…Read More
CMS Regulatory Waivers & Rule Changes Update
On Thursday, April 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued another round of regulatory waivers and rule changes to deliver expanded care to the nation’s seniors and provide flexibility to the healthcare system as America reopens. These changes include making it easier for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to get tested for COVID-19…Read More
COVID-19 Resources
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Resources: Medicare Telehealth Fact Sheet Coronavirus Waivers & Flexibilities Physicians and Other Clinicians: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions Telehealth Toolkit for General Practitioners End-Stage Renal Disease Providers Telehealth Toolkit Fact Sheet: Expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program during COVID-19 Emergency Current…Read More
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Expanded
If you missed out on the original allocation of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, you will get another chance as new legislation, that has already passed both the Senate and House, greatly expands its funding (from $349B to $659B). This new legislation is expected to be signed by the President shortly. To learn…Read More