HOME ABOUT SERVICES OUR CAREERS CONTACT EMPLOYEE PORTAL BLOG COVID-19 CODING UPDATES DISCOVER OUR SOLUTIONS CODE ENCOUNTERS December 2020 Breaking News: Giant relief bill also set to increase physicians’ 2021 fees Physicians can breathe a little easier going into 2021 – Congress has erased the deep Medicare fee cuts CMS laid out in the final 2021 physician fee schedule as an offset to higher E/M pay rates. READ MORE September 2020 2021 E/M Changes to Outpatient Visits Part 3 2021 CPT E/M Guideline Definitions for Acute and Chronic Illnesses Acute, uncomplicated illness or injury READ MORE September 2020 2021 E/M Changes to Outpatient Visits Part 2 Elements In the past both history and exam have been required for code selection. With the new changes both history and exam will need to be documented but will not affect the code selection. There will be no minimum requirement, beyond establishing medical necessity and the standard of care. Providers will be able to select the E/M service level either by the level of medical decision making or by the total time spent performing the service on the day of the encounter. READ MORE August 2020 2021 E/M Changes to Outpatient Visits Part 1 Per CMS: they have “established an internal process to evaluate and streamline regulations with a goal to reduce unnecessary burden, to increase efficiencies, and to improve the beneficiary experience. In carrying out this internal process CMS is moving the needle and removing regulatory obstacles that get in the way of providers spending time with patients.” READ MORE August 2020 OIG announces Work Plan for Telehealth Services FYE 2015 Results OIG announced that they reviewed 100 telehealth claims performed in 2014 and 2015. Of the claims they found that 31 did not meet telehealth requirements. READ MORE August 2020 President Trump signs Executive Order expanding some telehealth flexibilities permanently President Trump signed and issued an Executive Order on Improving Rural and Telehealth Access that would expand the telehealth benefits permanently. Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule would make some telehealth and workforce flexibilities that were provided since the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. It also focusing on improving access and convenience of care for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those living in rural areas. One area the order also addresses is a multi- year effort to reduce clinician burden under Patients over Paperwork Initiative. READ MORE ALL POSTS Healthcare Coding & Consulting Services (a.k.a. HCCS) This blog is an extension of our uncompromising values and dedication to our clients, staff, and the HIM industry as a whole. Subscribe to Email Updates Email* Popular Posts The Difference Between ER Professional vs. ER Facility E/M Medical Coding “Code First” and “In Diseases Classified Elsewhere” Coding Canapes - HFpEF or HFrEF Posts by Tag Medical Coding (12) Auditor (7) Coding (7) Coding Book (7) Medical Coding Book (7) see all 8000 SUMMERLIN LAKES DR., SUITE 200, FORT MYERS FL 33907 239-443-3900 INFO@HCCSCODING.COM Copyright 2021 | Healthcare Coding and Consulting Services Contact HCCS for additional information about coding at info@hccscoding.com.