The week in Medicare updates
APCs Insider, February 6, 2015
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CMS revises travel allowance fees for collection of specimens
On January 23, CMS released a change request revising the payment of travel allowances when billed on a per-mileage basis using HCPCS code P9603 (travel allowance one way in connection with medically necessary laboratory specimen collection drawn from home bound or nursing home bound patient; prorated miles actually travelled) and when billed on a flat-rate basis using HCPCS code P9604 (travel allowance; prorated trip charge) for 2015. This recurring update notification applies to Chapter 16, section 60.2 of the Internet Only Manual.
Effective date: January 1, 2015
Implementation date: April 24, 2015
View Transmittal R3169CP.
OIG completes compliance review of St. Vincent Healthcare for 2011-12
On January 26, OIG uploaded a report detailing its compliance review of St. Vincent’s Healthcare’s Medicare billing practices.
View the report.
CMS posts fact sheets on value and quality initiatives
On January 26, CMS posted three fact sheets to its website regarding its initiative to create and implement new payment models based on regarding value in healthcare as opposed to quantity.
View the fact sheet “Better Care. Smarter Spending. Healthier People: Paying Providers for Value, Not Volume.”
View the fact sheet “Better Care. Smarter Spending. Healthier People: Why It Matters.”
View the fact sheet “Better Care. Smarter Spending. Healthier People: Improving Our Health Care Delivery System.”
Proposed decision posted for screening HIV infection
On January 29, CMS posted a proposed decision memorandum stating its proposal to expand coverage in section 210.7 of the Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual. CMS proposes the evidence is adequate to conclude that screening for HIV infection for all individuals between the ages of 15 and 65 years, as is recommended with a grade of A by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), is reasonable and necessary for the early detection of HIV and is appropriate for individuals entitled to benefits under Part A or enrolled under Part B.
View the proposed decision memorandum.
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