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.

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.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced plans to conduct end-to-end testing for ICD-10 claims beginning Jan. 26-30, 2015. CMS is currently accepting applications from physicians interested in participating. Applications must be submitted using a volunteer form, which can be accessed on the ICD-10 page of your Medicare Administrative Contractor’s website. Additional information about ICD-10 testing is available on the CMS website.

On Sept. 30 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first round of Open Payments data on the CMS website. Open Payments is a program mandated under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA requires public disclosure of all transfers of value of $10 or more provided by pharmaceutical and device manufacturers to physicians and teaching hospitals. Transfers of value that must be disclosed include: gifts; speaker fees; research grants; meals; travel and investments.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the 2013 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and 2013 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program feedback reports are now available. The reports reflect participation in both programs between Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013. Providers interested in viewing their reports can do by logging into the Quality Reporting Portal.

On Sept. 16 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued performance results for two ACO initiatives: the Pioneer ACO Model and the Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in an educational article published in late August that it would conduct three testing weeks in advance of the Oct. 1, 2015 implementation date of ICD-10.