Clinical Resources Articles
These sleep medicine articles include updates about coding and reimbursement, new practice guidelines, and telemedicine. To view our case study of the month, visit the AASM sleep medicine case studies page.
The Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs provide incentive payments for demonstrating adoption, implementation, upgrading, or meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
Submit your 2014 PQRS data on or before Feb. 26, 2015 to avoid a 2.0 percent CMS penalty in 2016. If you haven’t submitted your 2014 PQRS data yet, the AASM can help you with an easy to use tool – PQRSwizard, a CMS-approved registry that has been compared to TurboTax by current users.
Enroll in the AASM PQRSwizard and submit 2014 PQRS data by the deadline of Feb. 26, 2015, in order to avoid a 2.0% reduction to Medicare Part B payment in 2016.
As part of its mission to promote high quality, patient-centered care, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recently released a list of five common tests and treatments that are not always necessary in sleep medicine as part of Choosing Wisely®, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The AASM list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians to ensure that the right care is delivered at the right time.
On Dec. 1, 2014 the four DME Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) will implement a revised local coverage determination (LCD) for Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs).
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved adding capnography to the practice expense for pediatric polysomnography codes 95782 and 95783 starting in 2015. The proposal is a direct result of two years of advocacy by the AASM. This proposal is outlined in the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule.
On Oct. 31, 2014 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, which provides updates to payment policies and payment rates for services billed on or after Jan. 1, 2015. The AASM has published supplemental resources with more information about the final rule.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued the display copy of the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, which reflects updates to payment policies and rates for services billed on or after January 1, 2015.
Registration is now open for the 2014 PQRSwizard quality measure reporting program. PQRSwizard is a CMS-approved registry which allows providers to successfully participate in Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting Program (PQRS). Reporting in 2014 is even more important than in previous years. Providers who successfully report quality data in 2014 will earn a 0.5 percent incentive on all Medicare Part B billing. Successful 2014 reporting also guarantees that providers will avoid a 2.0 percent penalty on all Medicare Part B billing in 2016.
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to extend the deadline to submit EHR hardship exemption requests until Nov 30. The hardship exception application and applicable guidelines can be found on the CMS EHR Incentive Programs website. Providers granted hardship exceptions will be exempt from the scheduled 2015 payment adjustment for not demonstrating meaningful use.