Long-Term Care Newsletters

Billing Alert for Long-Term Care CNA Training Advisor: Lesson Plans for Busy Staff Trainers PPS Alert for Long-Term Care

It's essential to know how to correctly submit your Medicare claims in order to get the reimbursement your facility deserves. Billing Alert for Long-Term Care provides the crucial tips and strategies that billers need for success.

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Billing Alert for Long-Term Care

Issue 11, November 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Communicate with your MAC and make the most of a critical relationship

  Billers can establish an efficient business relationship between their facility and their MAC...

• Common pitfalls of consolidated billing

  The intricacies of consolidated billing continue to challenge even the most experienced billers.

• Long-term care insurance grows amid political spotlight

  With more people buying long-term care insurance, which often provides coverage beyond the...

• Master the -KX modifier and therapy documentation

  The therapy cap exception process is set to expire December 31. As of now, the only action on this...

• BALTC Q&A

  Having RFP troubles? Look no further. Lee Heinbaugh discusses request for proposal from a billing...

Issue 10, October 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• SNF PPS final rule: Get ready for reimbursement reductions and RUG-IV

  CMS released the final rule for fiscal year (FY) 2010 payment updates to SNFs July 28, leaving many...

• Medicare Advantage: Avoid lingering billing problems and common trouble spots

  When it comes to billing Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, many facilities continue to struggle, often...

• The CWF and you: Making the most of a critical resource

  As the database containing all Medicare beneficiary information, the Common Working File (CWF...

• Education tips for SNF billers: Self-training amid constant industry change

  Responsible for accurate reimbursement, long-term care billers serve as one of the most important...

Issue 9, September 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Save time this flu season with roster billing

  SNF business offices across the nation will soon be faced with the task of billing numerous flu...

• Simple steps to successfully collect coinsurance

  SNF billers can avoid coinsurance billing problems by identifying the payer source upon admission...

• Are your business associates ready for the new HIPAA rules?

  Covered entities, such as nursing homes, should ensure that their BAs understand the new HIPAA...

• Benefits exhaust and no-pay bills: Obstacles to compliance

  Complying with the nuances of when and how to properly submit benefits exhaust and no-pay bills...

• BALTC Q&A

  Columnist Lee A. Heinbaugh discusses how to use the OIG’s List of Excluded...

Issue 8, August 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Master the Medicare appeals process

  Since the appeals process can be confusing and time-consuming, SNF billers must have a clear...

• You’ve got mail: Establish a billers’ forum and get answers in your in-box

  Rather than let your questions go unanswered, take a lesson from Hillary Larson, finance...

• New Recovery Audit Contractor program FAQs

  CMS recently updated its Web site to include new FAQs about the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC...

• BALTC Q&A

  Columnist Lee A. Heinbaugh discusses coinsurance crossover claims and how to use the Medicare...

Issue 7, July 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• What does RUG-IV mean for your facility?

  Although aspects of RUG-IV may change before implementation, SNFs should know how the proposed...

• Expedited reviews: Are you ready for the QIO's call?

  Providers can prepare for an expedited review by communicating internally and with residents and by...

• Master the rehab workaround

  Although the rehab workaround may sound simple, knowing when and how to use it can be a challenge...

• CERT program could test your documentation

  Your facility can survive a CERT review by complying with the program’s guidelines and...

Issue 6, June 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• ZPICs: New program cracks down on Medicare fraud and abuse

  CMS developed ZPICs to fix flaws in the current Medicare program integrity system, which protects...

• Avoid bad debt with a proactive approach to collections

  As economic conditions continue to decline, many SNFs are having more difficulty collecting...

• Get V-code savvy to optimize reimbursement

  Although SNFs have been able to include V-codes on claims for years, many nursing facilities still...

• BALTC Q&A

  Columnist Lee A. Heinbaugh discusses no-pay bills and denials for speech therapy services due to...

Issue 5, May 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• New HIPAA provisions: More important than you may think

  Enforcement of HIPAA is about to get tougher due to provisions passed under the $787 billion...

• Heal an injured revenue stream by billing Part B for wound care supplies

  Wound care supplies are excellent revenue sources, and billing your FI or MAC for these Part B...

• Medical reviews: How much scrutiny do your data face?

  As federal spending on Medicare continues to increase, so does focus on Medicare billing errors and...

• BALTC Q&A

  Columnist Lee A. Heinbaugh discusses Medicare Part A benefit periods for tube-feeding residents and...

Issue 4, April 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Don't forfeit reimbursement: Identify and verify MSP information

  Establishing a system to ensure the accuracy of insurance information will help your facility...

• The triple-check system: A proactive approach to Medicare compliance

  Each year, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) identifies government programs under the...

• Avoid these six common billing errors

  SNF business departments deal with billing errors on a daily basis, and although some are...

• Ostomy, urological, and tracheostomy supplies: An easier approach to Part B billing

  Billing Part B ostomy, urological, and tracheostomy supplies can generate revenue for a SNF without...

• BALTC Q&A

  Columnist Lee A. Heinbaugh discusses managing accounts receivable and actions to take when dealing...

Issue 3, March 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Billing for PEN: Don’t feed into the hype

  SNFs can bring in a considerable amount of revenue by billing Part B for parenteral and enteral...

• Ensure accurate Part B billing for timed and untimed therapy codes

  The incorrect calculation of therapy units has led to many Part B billing errors for SNFs, and as...

• Beneficiary notifications: Simplify the process at your SNF

  Learn how to master the confusing regulations for the beneficiary notification process.

• BALTC Q&A

  Columnist Lee A. Heinbaugh discusses common problems with collecting insurance information...

Issue 2, February 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• What economic crisis? Increase revenue by billing for Part B supplies

  No one is safe from the effects of the global economic crisis, but SNFs can minimize the financial...

• Cuts to Medicaid: How will they affect your facility?

  As the United States endures the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, the healthcare industry...

• Is your facility prepared for the ICD-10-CM?

  Although the proposed implementation date for the ICD-10-CM is not until 2013, SNF billers need to...

• FIs to MACs: Ensure a smooth transition for your facility

  To ensure a smooth transition from FIs to MACs, SNF billers must stay informed, complete the...

Issue 1, January 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Hospice services: Know when and how your facility should bill

  Facility business departments must be aware of when they are responsible for billing for hospice...

• Medicare Part D: SNFs, LTCPs, and dual-eligible residents

  The transition to the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, known as Medicare Part D, was difficult...

• Benefits exhaust and no-pay bills

  Benefits exhaust and no-pay bills continue to create problems for SNFs, and, this year, improper...

• BALTC Q&A

  Columnist Lee A. Heinbaugh discusses common Medicare Part A billing issues.