OPPS

Q. Should the MOON notice be used only for Medicare or Medicare HMO patients or should it also be used for commercial insurance and Medicaid patients?

This week’s updates include new physician specialty code for dentist; medical review of SNF PPS bills; and more!

A large number of readmissions are caused by substance abuse, mental illness, and homelessness, according to a recent study published in JAMA Surgery.

This week’s updates include the temporary pause of QIO short stay reviews; review of CMS' Pioneer Accountable Care Organization Payment Model first performance year administration; and more!

In the July quarterly OPPS update, CMS mentions billing physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services provided in support of or adjunctive to comprehensive APC services under revenue code 0940 rather than the NUBC-defined revenue codes. This article helps make sense of the situation.

If CMS’ late April release of a change request requiring reporting of the previously optional modifier -JW (drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient) by July 1 seemed too sudden, the good news is many other providers—and the agency—agreed.

A clinic in Stafford, Arizona, is expanding its services and focus on case management in an effort to improve relationships among primary care providers and patients.

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced plans to establish new telemental health resource centers.

Is the MOON notice required for patients in outpatient and a bed status, such as extended recovery?

Can we give the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice form up front at the start of placement in observation and not wait until the 24-hour mark?