Technology is changing rapidly, and it's creating big challenges for healthcare organizations when it comes to protecting PHI. Privacy and security officers should keep an eye on these changes-from more mobile devices to social media to cloud computing-over the next several months, according to a group of industry prognosticators.
They are becoming as common in healthcare as a stethoscope draped around a physician's neck. Check the pocket of a doctor's white coat, and you're likely to find a mobile device, whether it be a tablet computer or a smartphone.
Q Addendum B of the APC updates for 2012 indicates the new molecular pathology codes have status indicator E (noncovered service, not paid under OPPS). Our laboratory director said we should report these new codes in addition to the codes that are payable. Can you explain why?
Modifier -PD (diagnostic or related nondiagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or wholly operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within three days or one day) is now included in the I/OCE, according to January updates detailed in Transmittal 2370.
As technology evolves, providers can perform more procedures at the patient's bedside than they ever could in the past. Previously, they could only perform these procedures in another department of the hospital, and they had to charge separately for them.
