ASE is working on a detailed and targeted analysis of the CY 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule and the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) Proposed Rule. ASE will issue comments to the CMS once these proposals have been thoroughly evaluated. Comments from the healthcare community on both proposed rules will be accepted by CMS until September 11, 2017. Learn more here.
June 29, 2017 By
Value of Echo Summit
In case you missed that ASE sponsored a Value of Echo Summit during our 2017 ASE Scientific Sessions, we are making the presentations available to everyone interested in this topic. The session was intended to help provide some understanding of the U.S. healthcare system as it undergoes a significant transformation from fee-for-service to value-based healthcare and developing new alternative payment models (APMs). The summit was divided into two sessions. The first session focused on understanding the impending changes to the overall healthcare system and the impact to you. The second session featured experts identifying the best strategies and practices to ensure you maximize all opportunities and thrive in this challenging environment.
April 4, 2017 By
Documentation of Moderate Sedation
With regard to documentation of moderate sedation, beginning January 1, 2017, we would suggest documenting the duration of moderate sedation services. Intraservice time should be documented based on the specific number of minutes, as opposed to a range of time, to meet all payer requirements. Please note that the moderate sedation intraservice time will likely be different than the intraservice time of the underlying procedure. If the physician does not document his/her intraservice time or if the time is less than 10 minutes, the service is not reportable.
For more detailed information on billing please go to: http://connect.asecho.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?MessageKey=712b52af-a838-44c8-83de-da8e4a8595b8&CommunityKey=f2171f48-b144-4e72-a2cb-a1df0e9d768d&tab=digestviewer
Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Also, please keep us posted on the claims process, we would be interested to know how they adjudicate.
March 23, 2017 By
CMS Delays Expansion of Bundled Payment Programs
On Monday, CMS announced that they will delay expansion of the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement bundle and its bundled payment initiatives for cardiac care bundled payment programs. The effective date is being moved from July 1, 2017 to October 1, 2017. Learn more here.
In other Advocacy related news, you can also download a document related to the Trump Administration’s Blueprint Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 with highlights of the healthcare related provisions.
January 12, 2017 By
Updated ASE’s 2017 Coding Newsletter Now Available
CMS issued some corrections to the HOPPS final rule. It included minor changes to some of the APCs that will impact some rates. ASE has updated the Annual Coding Newsletter to reflect these changes.
Also available are ASE’s coding webinar and a document to assist you in billing echo-specific information on moderate (conscious) sedation in conjunction with TEE. You must now bill it separately. Payment for moderate sedation is no longer included in the allowances for any TEE codes. If moderate sedation codes are not separately reported, payment for the service will be lost.
Please visit ASE’s Coding and Reimbursement and MACRA web pages to help you understand the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and how to comply with the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
November 21, 2016 By
Do You Need Help Understanding MACRA?
Geoffrey A. Rose, MD, FASE, presented a webinar to help the cardiovascular ultrasound community understand how to comply with the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), one of the two payment tracks being created under the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) to reform Medicare payment. It is expected that over 90 percent of all physicians will need to comply with MIPS to avoid facing penalties. The webinar delves into the details of this complex program and outlines practical steps for you to achieve ‘MACRA-readiness.’
November 2, 2016 By
CMS Releases the CY 2017 HOPPS and PFS Final Rules
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2017 HOPPS final rule. A complete copy of the rule is now available.
This afternoon, CMS released its 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. This final rule addresses changes to the physician fee schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies.
ASE will be analyzing these policies, and a more detailed and targeted analysis will be available soon.
September 30, 2016 By
Register Today for ASE’s MACRA/MIPS 101: Essentials You Need to Know Webinar
Join Geoffrey A. Rose, MD, FASE, for a free, interactive, live webinar on Friday, October 21, 2016, at 12:00 PM ET. This webinar is intended to help the cardiovascular ultrasound community understand how to comply with the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), one of the two payment tracks being created under the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) reform Medicare payment. It is expected that over 90 percent of all physicians will need to comply with MIPS to avoid facing penalties.
To ensure your FREE registration for this event, please follow these three simple steps.
- Log on to your ASE Member Portal with your ASE username (email) and password.
- Select “ASEUniversity and CME Credits” on the left.
- Select “Live Webinars” on the left and “Register” found in the Live Webinar Event Summary.
September 20, 2016 By
Plans for the Quality Payment Program in 2017: Pick Your Pace
Click here to learn more.
September 7, 2016 By
ASE Comments on the 2017 PFS and HOPPS Proposed Rules
Read copies of ASE’s comment letters on the 2017 PFS and HOPPS Proposed Rules here.