The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule on the meaningful use Stage 2 requirements set forth in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs.  Under the programs, participants receive incentive payments for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology.  The meaningful use criteria are divided into three stages and each stage gradually increases providers’ use of certified EHR to improve health care quality.  Stage 1 began in 2011 and CMS intends to announce the Stage 3 requirements in 2014. Read More

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently alerted physicians to exercise caution when reassigning their rights to bill the Medicare program. Read More

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently increased the maximum contingency fee that the Medicaid RACs can receive for recovered overpayments of durable medical equipment (DME) claims. Read More

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that will require providers and suppliers to report and refund self-identified overpayments either 60 days after the overpayment was identified, or on the date that any cost report is due (if applicable). These CMS reporting requirements will only allow providers to use the cost report time frame if the overpayment usually would be reconciled on the cost report.  Providers and suppliers who fail to meet the deadline may be subject to liability under the False Claims Act. Read More

Starting April 1, home health agencies and hospices must comply with the face-to-face encounter requirement established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Read More

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program began on April 18. CMS recently issued a Medicare Learning Network Matters article that outlines how eligible providers may receive incentive payments for the “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology. Read More

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a final rule on a new value-based purchasing (VBP) program for acute-care hospitals. Under this program, which was mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, CMS will reward hospitals that provide high quality care through incentive payments. Read More

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a final rule implementing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provisions related to the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) programs. The final rule makes several changes to the Part C and D programs to clarify program participation requirements; strengthen beneficiary protections; and increase CMS’ ability to identify and handle weak program applicants. Read More

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter on April 8 to state Medicaid Directors outlining changes to the “meaningful use” standards for the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. Read More

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a final rule that revises and expands CMS’ authority to impose civil monetary penalties (CMPs) against nursing homes that do not comply with Federal participation requirements. Read More