Category: ASC Coding, Billing and Collections

Physicians could lose $25B with new CMS policy: Study 

Physicians could lose at least $25 billion in add-on payments for Part B drugs that could be part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s program to negotiate drugs, according to a recent study by Avalere. 

5 latest health systems dropping Medicare Advantage & what ASCs need to know

ASCs are facing rising challenges with Medicare Advantage plans, including escalating implant costs, frequent reimbursement denials and increasing administrative hurdles that complicate patient care and financial stability.

ASCs turn to direct-pay models to bypass payers

As physicians and ASCs face increasing obstacles in securing reimbursements from insurance companies, many are looking to direct-pay or cash models to cut out the need for payers. 

Physician charged for $32.7M fraud scheme 

An Alexandria, La.-based physician has been charged for his role in a $32.7 million Medicare fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary definitive urine drug testing services. 

Essentia Health drops Medicare Advantage plans

Beginning Jan. 1, Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health will no longer be in-network with UnitedHealthcare and Humana Medicare Advantage plans.

Court upholds Stark law exception blocking mail-order drug dispensing

A district court dismissed an oncology trade association’s challenge to Stark law guidance prohibiting physicians from dispensing drugs in locations outside of their office on Aug. 30.

Anthem in the headlines: 5 updates

Here are five updates on Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, which are owned by Elevance Health, one of the largest payers in the U.S., as reported by Becker’s since May 21:

ASC software solutions company partners with Synergen Health

ASC software solutions provider HST Pathways has partnered with revenue cycle management services company Synergen Health. 

How CMS' MIPS program has changed

CMS’ Medicare Merit-based Incentive Payment system has new reporting options to fulfill traditional MIPS requirements.

MedHQ acquires revenue cycle management company

MedHQ, a provider of advisory and administrative services for ASCs in the U.S., has acquired Trajectory Revenue Cycle Services.