Academy News
Fast and Furious Coding Webinar Tomorrow
Do you have a particularly difficult-to-code PM&R case? Are you unclear on how to document and bill evaluation and management (E/M) services?
Join us for a free, 30-minute Fast & Furious coding webinar on Thursday, June 25, 11 am-11:30 am (CT). Coding experts will be available to answer your pressing coding and reimbursement questions. The experts can provide advice on E/M Coding and Documentation, E/M modifiers, diagnostic testing, injections, and other therapeutic procedures. Learn more and register today!
July 1, 2015 Deadline for Submitting Hardship Exemption for the 2014 Reporting Year for Electronic Health Record/Meaningful Use Program
Payment adjustments for eligible professionals that did not successfully participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in 2014 will begin on January 1, 2016. Medicare eligible professionals can avoid the 2016 payment adjustment by taking action by July 1 and applying for a 2016 hardship exception. To file a hardship exception, you must:
The hardship exception applications and instructions for an individual and for multiple Medicare eligible professionals are available on the EHR Incentive Programs website, and outline the specific types of circumstances that CMS considers to be barriers to achieving meaningful use, and how to apply.
Register for Hands-On Learning at the 2015 Annual Assembly
This year’s intensive workshops at the Annual Assembly offer a thorough introduction to new skills in regenerative medicine,ultrasound, and spasticity.
Remember to register by August 5 to take advantage of early bird registration rates!
Annual Assembly Workshop Volunteers Needed Residents -Volunteer a bit of your time—and reap the rewards! Residents who volunteer to assist with a workshop will be given complimentary access to that session and are eligible for remuneration ($100 per day for most). If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the 2015 Annual Assembly Workshop Volunteer Survey! Contact the AAPM&R Meetings Team at meetings@aapmr.org with any questions. |
AAPM&R Submits Comments on CMS’s Inpatient Prospective Payment Proposed Rule
AAPM&R submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to the Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2016 Rates; Revisions of Quality Reporting Requirements for Specific Providers, including changes related to the Electronic Health Record Incentive Program. Your Academy’s comments included a discussion of ICD-10 and the Medicare Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Initiative. Read the full letter here.
2015 PM&R Coding Companion Now Available
Avoid audits and help your office staff save time and money with a coding resource specific with AAPM&R’s 2015 Coding Companion. The companion includes the 2015 CPT®code set specific to PM&R in an easy-to-use format.
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Easily determine fees for your practice and reinforce consistency in the charges. National Medicare relative value units for most codes are included.
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Learn how to contact the Part B Medicare carrier for your state and how to initiate an appeal with a Medicare carrier or third-party payer if your claim is denied.
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And more!
Ensure your PM&R practice optimizes its reimbursement with proper coding and billing! Purchase your 2015 PM&R Coding Companion today.
2015 PQRS GPRO: 6 Days Left to Register by June 30 Deadline
Groups have 6 days left to register to participate in the 2015 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) via the Physician Value - Physician Quality Reporting System (PV-PQRS) Registration System. PQRS GPRO is an option available to groups with 2 or more eligible professionals (EPs). Groups must meet the satisfactory reporting criteria through the PQRS GPRO in order to avoid the -2.0% CY 2017 PQRS payment adjustment. More information is available on the PQRS Payment Adjustment Information web page.
PQRSwizard®Webinar on July 17
The Academy is hosting a PQRS webinar on Friday, July 17 @ 11 am (CT); 12 pm (ET). Webinar content will cover:
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Overview of 2015 PQRS (What’s New for 2015)
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Overview of 2015 Value-Based Modifier
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How you can avoid penalties
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How to report using PQRSwizard®
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New opportunities for continuous quality reporting
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What value PQRSwizard®can bring to you and your practice
The webinar is free but you must register. Register Now!
AAPM&R Submits Comments on CMS’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Proposed Rule
AAPM&R submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to the Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2016; Proposed Rule. Your Academy’s comments included a discussion of concerns with the development of a new rehabilitation market basket and the adoption of 6 new quality measures. Read the full letter here.
AAPM&R Submits Comments on CMS’s Skilled Nursing Facility Proposed Rule
AAPM&R submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to the Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) for FY 2016, SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program, SNF Quality Reporting Program, and Staffing Data Collection; Proposed Rule. In your Academy’s comments, we recommended the addition of 2 high-cost, low probability HCPCS codes, used to describe a component of an artificial limb, to the list of codes excluded from the SNF PPS Consolidated Billing program and expressed concern regarding the adoption of 3 new quality measures. Read the full letter here.
CMS Requests Random Survey of the Interlaminar Epidural Injection Codes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have requested review and revision of 8 CPT®codes for reporting interlaminar epidural injections. If you are randomly selected from the AAPM&R membership database to participate in an AMA/RUC survey of physician work and you have direct professional knowledge of the service, we ask that you complete the survey.
This survey will help our society to assure that relative values will be accurately and fairly presented to CMS during this revision process. Your input is vital to obtain estimates of the time and complexity required in performing these procedures and we appreciate your time and effort. If you are inappropriately contacted regarding this survey, please notify your specialty society immediately. If you have any questions please contact Jenny Jackson, Manager, Health Finance and Reimbursement via email at jjackson@aapmr.org immediately.
ICD-10 Training Workshop Available in Nashville
On October 1, 2015, ICD-10 will become a reality. The key to successful transition is preparedness. Start preparing by attending the ICD-10 workshop, provided in conjunction with AAPM&R and KarenZupko & Associates, Inc. (KZA).
Focused ICD-10 Training for PM&R
Friday, August 14, 2015
12:30 pm-5:30 pm
Nashville, TN
This half-day Friday workshop will focus on the format and structure of ICD-10-CM, coding various conditions in PM&R, pain management coding, and more. Attendees will take away a more in-depth understanding of the top clinical diagnoses in PM&R, along with key documentation and CDI tips to assist your practice in making a smooth transition to ICD-10-CM. Learn more and register today!
New Certification Exam Prep Qbank Available in July on mē®
AAPM&R is creating a valuable study resource for residents preparing for the ABPMR Certification Part I Exam. This study tool will feature 800+ questions covering the breadth of the exam and will provide immediate feedback with explanation.
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