Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare In response to the ongoing COVID-19 national emergency, 3 new diagnosis codes and 7 new procedure codes describing introducing or infusing therapeutics, including vaccines for COVID-19 treatment, will be effective April 1, 2022. A new Medicare Code Editor (MCE) code edit and revised coverage edits will also…… Continue reading ICD-10: New Diagnosis & Procedure Codes Effective April 1, 2022

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare December 5 – 11, 2021 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. Have you gotten this year’s flu shot? Did you know that people with certain chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications? A flu shot is the…… Continue reading National Influenza Vaccination Week: December 5 – 11, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Transmittal 11136 … Change Request 12507 There’s a corresponding MLN Matters Number: MM12507 as well. Review the entire Transmittal/CR for information on Part A & B premiums as well as Part B deductibles and coinsurance. Please share these resources with your Business Office/Billers.

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988. Each year, organizations and individuals across the world bring attention to the HIV epidemic, endeavor to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward Ending the HIV…… Continue reading World AIDS Day – December 1st

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS issued Transmittal 11129 … Change Request 12397 on Monday, November 22, 2021.  The red ink for the Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 5 – Part B Outpatient Rehabilitation and CORF/OPT Services begins on page 9 of the 11-page transmittal.  You’ll also find general information regarding…… Continue reading Reduced Payment for P.T. and O.T. Services Furnished In Whole or In Part by a PTA or OTA

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare November 18, 2021 was the 1st day of Antibiotic Awareness Week. In observance of U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, CDC encourages healthcare professionals to continue improving antibiotic prescribing and use by using CDC’s Be Antibiotics Aware educational materials and sharing them with your colleagues and patients. These…… Continue reading Be Antibiotics Aware Educational Materials Available

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare U.S. Antibiotics Awareness Week is an annual observance that raises awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising patients and their families to use antibiotics only when necessary to further…… Continue reading Antibiotic Awareness Week is November 18-24, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The objective of World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day is to increase awareness about pressure injury prevention and to educate the public on this topic.  “Each year, more than 2.5 million people in the United States develop pressure ulcers. These skin lesions bring pain, associated risk…… Continue reading 2021 World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day – November 18, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare This annual notice was filed at 5pm ET on Friday, November 12, 2021.  It is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. “This notice announces the inpatient hospital deductible and the hospital and extended care services coinsurance amounts for services furnished…… Continue reading Medicare Program: CY 2022 Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare I happened upon this article over the weekend that’s well worth the read – Medicare Advantage’s cost to taxpayers has soared in recent years, research finds.  It’s from NPR’s – National Public Radio – Shots Health News. “Switching seniors to Medicare Advantage plans has cost taxpayers…… Continue reading Medicare Advantage’s Cost to Taxpayers Has Soared in Recent Years