Practice Management Alert
BCBS in Delaware Scraps Pre-Authorization Requirements for Nuclear Stress Tests
Plus, attorney general in Connecticut investigating data breach by WellPoint. The News Journal in Delaware reports that Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Delaware will stop requiring doctors to obtain permission before performing nuclear stress tests, according to Elliott Jacobson, chief of staff for Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart. In April, Weldin Stewart asked four companies -- BCBS, Aetna, Coventry Healthcare, and Cigna -- which are under investigation by the insurance department and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation for denying coverage of nuclear stress tests, to issue a moratorium on all pre-authorization requests while under investigation. "Blue Cross would not comment on proposed changes to its pre-authorization program, though it is expected to announce a set of changes soon," The News Journal reports.
Practice Management Alert
- Consolidated Billing:
3 Simple Steps Put You on the Path to Capturing Payment for Your NF Services
Determining whether a patient is in a Part A or Part B stay is your [...] - News You Can Use:
Welcome a 2.2 Percent Medicare Pay Boost For the Rest of This Year -- Finally
But the news isn't all good -- first, you faced a week of lower payments, and [...] - Money Matters:
Don't Scrap PQRI If Some of Your Doctors Don't Participate
Plus: Look for 2009 incentive payments this fall, CMS says.If all of your physicians are [...] - You Be the Billing Expert:
Get the Scoop on Billing Before Credentialing
Question: Our practice has a new physician coming on board to replace a retiring doctor. [...] - Reader Questions:
Collect Surgical Deductibles Up Front
Question: We often have patients who don't pay their deductible after surgery. Is there a [...] - Reader Questions:
Get to Know Capitation Contracts
Question: I'm confused about what capitation actually is and how we bill under capitation rules. [...] - Reader Questions:
Clarify Temp Services Using Modifier Q6
Question: Our regular physician is taking some time off, and a temporary physician takes her [...] - Reader Questions:
Know When 'Current' Becomes 'History'
Question: Could you please provide some direction about when I should use "history of" codes [...] - Payer Updates:
BCBS in Delaware Scraps Pre-Authorization Requirements for Nuclear Stress Tests
Plus, attorney general in Connecticut investigating data breach by WellPoint.The News Journal in Delaware reports [...] - In other news:
WellPoint, based in Indiana, has come under scrutiny by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for [...]
