HAP Radiology Billing and Coding Blog

ICD-10 Coding Changes For 2021 That Will Impact Radiologists on November 13, 2020

There are 490 new ICD-10-CM[i] codes that became effective on October 1, 2020, all of which are replacing existing codes. An additional 47 codes have been revised and 58 were deleted. Two new codes, U07.1 for COVID-19 and U07.0 for vaping-related disorders, took effect on April 1, 2020. They are contained in a new section of the guidelines, Chapter 22 “Codes for Special Purposes (U00 – U85)”.

Categories: radiology reimbursement, icd-10, radiology

Can Radiologists Effectively Bill for COVID-Related Costs? on October 14, 2020

Radiologists practicing in an imaging center or other non-hospital facility have a new tool available that will potentially allow them to recover some of the added costs related to safety precautions taken during the COVID-19 public health emergency. CPT code 99072 was added by the American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) Editorial Panel on September 8, 2020, with immediate effect. While payment for this code is not yet available from Medicare, it might be reimbursed by some commercial payers.

Categories: radiology reimbursement, radiology, COVID-19

Medicare Delays Recoupment of Advances on September 10, 2020

One of the fastest and easiest sources of emergency funding available to practices at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic was the Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program.  As we recently reported, the initial timetable called for repayment of those advances to begin 120 days after the advance was made. Repayment was to be accomplished through reduction of Medicare reimbursements otherwise payable to the practice currently, until the full amount of the advance was repaid.

Categories: medicare, medicare reimbursement, cms, radiology, COVID-19

Radiology’s Declining Reimbursement Spans More Than A Decade on August 20, 2020

The average cut of 11% in radiology reimbursement that is proposed by the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2021 (MPFS) is the continuation of a trend that spans more than a decade.

Categories: radiology reimbursement, medicare, medicare reimbursement, MPFS, radiology

Medicare Proposed Major Cut in Radiology Reimbursement for 2021 on August 14, 2020

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released their annual proposal for changes to the Medicare payment system for the coming year. The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule contains not only proposed adjustments to Medicare reimbursement but also proposed changes to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) for 2021 and beyond.

Categories: radiology reimbursement, medicare, medicare reimbursement, cms, radiology

What Did Radiologists Miss While Focused On COVID-19? on July 13, 2020

Since the end of March we all have been focused on the impact of the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but slowly our attention is returning to the other ongoing issues of operating a practice.  Let’s review some important topics that still exist on our radar screens.

Categories: radiology, COVID-19

Radiology Market Reentry: Part 3 – Community Collaboration & Marketing Plans on June 19, 2020

The first article in our three-part series covered workplace safety policies, changes to your office space, and workflow processes, while the second article discussed human resources and patient scheduling considerations.  In this final article, we look at ways to strengthen the return of patient volume to your practice through community collaboration and marketing.

Categories: radiology, COVID-19

Radiology Market Reentry: Part 2 – HR Considerations & Patient Scheduling on June 11, 2020

The first article in our three-part series covered workplace safety policies, changes to your office space, and workflow processes.  Next, we will discuss the many aspects of human resource management and address patient scheduling in this new environment. 

Categories: radiology, COVID-19

The Latest on Your PPP Loan Forgiveness on June 8, 2020

On June 3, 2020, Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (PPPFA) that modifies the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that was put in place as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security (CARES) Act.  The PPP is a potentially forgivable loan administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).  This latest legislation changes some of the terms and requirements that will lead to loan forgiveness as we outlined in our recent article

Categories: radiology, COVID-19, Paycheck Protection Program, PPP

Radiology Market Reentry: Part 1 – Workplace Safety & Workflow Process on June 3, 2020

There are many variables to consider in addressing the uncertainties that lie ahead. While we know there is a lot of excellent information available, our hope is that we have been able to curate some relevant guidance that will help your practice thrive again in this period of uncertainty.  Areas of focus for your practice should include:

Categories: radiology, COVID-19

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