Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

In other news

In addition to offering patients HIPAA forms, financial agreements, and insurance forms, you may soon be giving them information about how to complain about you.

A new CMS proposal "would require most Medicareparticipating providers and suppliers to give Medicare beneficiaries written notice about their right to contact a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) with concerns about the quality of care they receive under the Medicare program," a Feb.

2 CMS news release states. Currently, only hospital inpatients are given this type of information about contacting a QIO, but if the new proposal passes, the following types of providers would have to inform beneficiaries about how to complain to a QIO:

  • Outpatient physical therapy and speech-languagepathology clinics
  • Comprehensive outpatient rehab facilities
  • Critical access hospitals
  • Home health agencies
  • Hospices
  • Hospitals
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Ambulatory surgical centers
  • Portable x-ray services
  • Rural health clinical and Federally-qualified health centers

CMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule through April 3. To submit comments, visit www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=CMS_FRDOC_0001-0641.

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