The public health emergency (PHE), in place since 2020, officially expired at midnight on May 11. The PHE declaration allowed significant flexibility in the healthcare system. The end of the PHE impacts several policies, including changes in Medicare and Medicaid policies. What do these changes mean for providers?
Public Health Emergency Extended
Later this month, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is expected to extend the public health emergency (PHE) for another 90 days. The PHE extension will allow for the continuation of many flexibilities instituted in 2020, including the expansion of such telehealth provisions as audio-only telehealth.
Telehealth Brings Opportunities to Enhance Patient Care
During an ACR webinar in August, presenters discussed multiple aspects of telehealth in rheumatology, especially related to rheumatology fellowship training. They agreed that although telehealth represents one potential avenue to improve patient access to treatment for rheumatic disease, we must keep identifying the best ways to employ telehealth to enhance care. Impact of Pandemic Telemedicine…
ACR Provides Preliminary Analysis of CY23 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
On Nov. 1, the CMS finalized the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2023. The rule finalizes many policies, significantly: a 4.5% decrease in the conversion factor, a delay in split/shared implementation, continued refinement of evaluation and management coding and documentation, and telehealth flexibilities that will remain in place through 2023. Thanks to ACR advocacy, the CMS reinstated five-minute pre- and post-service times for musculoskeletal ultrasound codes.
Key 2022 Coding & Billing Updates
In 2022, rheumatology practices should prepare for documentation, coding, billing and reimbursement revisions related to evaluation and management (E/M), split/shared billing policies and telehealth services.
Electronic Consultations Could Improve Access to Rheumatologic Care
Patients shouldn’t need to exercise patience when it comes to getting needed rheumatologic care. E-consults are an evolving telehealth modality with the potential to improve access to rheumatologic care in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
The Power of Advocacy
In 1916, a handful of conservation advocates successfully lobbied Congress to create the National Park Service, which now protects more than 85 million acres of U.S. land. Dedicated rheumatology advocacy has lasting effects, too, as evidenced by several policy wins in 2021 and efforts underway for 2022.
Telehealth Exercise & Diet Programs Curb Pain & Boost Function in Knee OA
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—In patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), telehealth-delivered exercise and diet programs are superior to electronic health information for reducing pain and improving function, although the contribution of diet is modest, a randomized trial shows.1 “This research provides evidence from a large clinical trial to help tease out how much benefit dietary weight…
Speak Out Rheumatology: Telerheumatology for Improving Accessibility
An early adopter gives her take on telerheumatology.
ACR Overview of 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
The final rule, issued Nov. 2, finalizes many policies in the July proposed rule, including the decreased conversion factor, billing for shared visits and teaching services, the continuation of telehealth services and inclusion of an ACR-led Merit-Based Incentive Payment System Value Pathway.