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Articles tagged with "Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)"

Tips for Signature Requirements for CMS

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In an effort to minimize medical fraud and abuse, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the signature guidelines for physicians and medical documentation.

Behind the Digital Door

Catherine Kolonko  |  

Rheumatology practices work toward becoming “meaningful users” of EHRs

ICD-9 Freeze and ICD-10 Code Update

By Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP  |  

Each year as a part of normal coding process, diagnostic codes are updated to reflect revised, new, and deleted codes through the CMS ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee. Diagnostic code changes and updates are based on information from vendors, physicians, or other health professionals that demonstrate a current code does not adequately describe a disease, sign, or symptom—or simply that the code is no longer appropriate for use.

2011 CMS e-Prescribing Program: Will You Get Hit with Penalties?

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The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 provides for e-prescribing financial incentives in 2011 and financial penalties in 2012 and 2013. When you successfully e-prescribe and report on 25 patient encounters, you will be eligible to receive a 1% incentive of the total estimated allowed charges for professional services covered by Medicare Part B rendered in 2011. The big news, however, is the payment reductions for those who do not successfully meet e-prescribing reporting requirements that will be applied—1% in 2012 and 1.5% in 2013.

Opting Out of Medicare

By Antanya A. Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP
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A how-to guide for physicians

Practice Page: What PQRI Means to Rheumatologists

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The Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PRQI) is a voluntary quality reporting program initiated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2007. CMS provides bonus payments to eligible providers who successfully report on applicable PQRI measures. For 2010, rheumatologists who successfully participate in PQRI can earn an incentive payment of 2% of the…

Locum Tenens: How, When, and Who

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Is the term locum tenens familiar to you as a practicing physician? It means “to hold the place of or to substitute.” This applies to a physician who temporarily takes over a practice or fills in for a partner for Medicare patients. This may occur for several reasons, such as vacation, maternity leave, or illness.