Medicare is a complex topic. For detailed information on this government program, as it relates to chiropractic services, see Chapter 2 in the ChiroCode DeskBook. The following concepts are covered in the DeskBook:
For additional information visit ChiroCode.com. Since 1993 Chiropractors have depended on ChiroCode as a reliable source of information for the Chiropractic community. Because of the dependability and education, ChiroCode has earned much renown. View current and recent webinars, order the ChiroCode DeskBook, (comprehensive go-to chiropractic reimbursement manual) and much more.
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April 13th, 2020
COVID-19 Chiropractic Resources
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published April 13th, 2020
COVID-19 Chiropractic Resources contains current, updated information regarding COVID-19. Included are lists of webinars, articles, websites and links pertaining to the ongoing changes.
The OIG Work Plan: What Is It and Why Should I Care?
By Namas | Published August 9th, 2019 - Last Review/Update August 14th, 2019
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) founded its Office of Inspector General (OIG) in 1976 and tasked it with the responsibility to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicare, Medicaid, and the other HHS programs. With approximately 1,600 employees, HHS OIG is the largest inspector general's office within ...
Q/A: What do I Need to Document for Periodic Adjustments on a Medicare Patient?
By Evan Gwilliam DC MBA BS CPC NCICS CCPC CCCPC CPC-I MCS-P CPMA | Published July 22nd, 2019
Question:
What type of documentation is required for a Medicare patient with degenerative joint disease who get adjusted once or twice a month for occasional flare-ups of the D. J. D. region? The noted adjustments give good relief of the patient's symptoms.
Answer:
There is no question that these adjustments would be considered ...
Act Now on CMS Proposal to Cover Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published July 17th, 2019
Now is the time to comment on a proposal to cover acupuncture for chronic low back pain. This comment period is the part of the HHS response to the opioid crisis. You only have until August 14th to officially comment.
Medicare Supplemental Policies (MediGap) and Extremity Adjustments
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published February 25th, 2019
The nice thing about MediGap policies is that they pay for some of the healthcare costs that an original Medicare plan (Part B) does not cover. So when a patient has Medicare and a Medicare supplement (MediGap) and their condition is related to an extremity (a noncovered service), Medicare must ...
Q/A: Can a PT Assistant Perform Physical Therapy Modalities?
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published June 18th, 2018 - Last Review/Update January 30th, 2019
Whether or not a physical therapy assistant (PTA) may perform physical therapy modalities depends on two factors: state law and payer policies. Read here for more.
Medicare Requiring Specific Modifiers on Therapy Services
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published January 15th, 2018
Medicare's MLN Matters Number: MM10176 was recently revised to identify services subject to their therapy cap. The revision became effective on January 1, 2018 and some providers have begun to receive claim rejections because they are not using the appropriate modifier. The article states the following:
Services furnished under the Outpatient ...
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published January 15th, 2018 - Last Review/Update January 30th, 2019
Q: When patients have a true Medicare secondary insurance we've always billed other Medicare non-covered codes such as G0283 for electric stimulation with modifier GY because we are aware Medicare will not pay for that service but the secondary insurance does. We just were notified by our MAC that GY is not a valid modifier and I have to enter a GP or other therapy modifier. What is the new proper modifier to enter?
By David Klein CPC, CPMA, CHC | Published October 31st, 2017 - Last Review/Update February 5th, 2019
Recent events regarding delegation of services to ancillary personnel have given rise to concerns regarding the delivery of outpatient physical medicine by Chiropractors, specifically regarding the appropriate use of one-on-one codes as opposed to group therapy code CPT 97150 - Therapeutic procedure(s), group (2 or more individuals). This advisory provides guidance on how to properly use one-on-one and group therapy codes, both independently and together.
By Brandy Brimhall, CPC CPCO CMCO CPMA QCC | Published October 13th, 2017 - Last Review/Update February 5th, 2019
Chiropractors cannot opt-opt of Medicare. Does that only refer to chiropractors that see Medicare patients? Do all Florida chiropractors have to complete Medicare enrollment/credentialing? Bottom line- do ALL chiropractors, no matter where or who, have to complete Medicare enrollment since they cannot Opt-out?
By ChiroCode | Published September 25th, 2017 - Last Review/Update February 5th, 2019
MIPS is a program that allows Medicare to collect data from providers about high quality low cost care that uses technology effectively. There are four categories and providers need to learn about the available measures so that they can pick the ones that make them look the best.
Mastering Medicare: When Opting Out is not an Option
By Dr. Ray Foxworth, Certified Medical Compliance Specialist and President of ChiroHealthUSA | Published June 15th, 2016 - Last Review/Update March 5th, 2019
Unlike MDs and DOs, chiropractors may not opt out of Medicare.
When it comes to Medicare, providers and patients alike feel like beating their heads against the wall. Signing up to be a provider or a patient is confusing, understanding what is covered is confusing and just about the time you think you have it figured out, you receive a notice that suggests you don’t.
The hassles of Medicare certainly validate any sane person questioning whether they should see a Medicare patient, but with the rising number of Medicare patients in the US do you really want to limit your patient base?
Occasionally providers are faced with the need to assess the option of making a voluntary disclosure to the government. Here are steps that every provider should consider before disclosing information to the government.
By | Published February 23rd, 2015 - Last Review/Update March 9th, 2016
Q: We have recently enrolled with Medicare and treat only a few patients. However, those claims are being denied. Can you help me to understand why this might be happening?
A: First, I would recommend you carefully review your Medicare Remittance Advice as that will identify the reason Medicare is denying your ...
Q & A: Establishing a Multi-Disciplinary Practice and Being Legal
By | Published December 1st, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 30th, 2017
Q: How do you add another provider type such as a Nurse Practitioner to your practice to provide additional services to patients and legally bill for those services under their license?
A: Multi-disciplinary practices are under scrutiny at the moment by ZPIC, CMS and State Boards. For your reference, just below, there ...
Have you checked your QRUR to find out if you qualify for a CMS bonus (or penalty)?
By | Published November 25th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 30th, 2017
What? You've never heard of a QRUR?
You have probably heard about Meaningful Use (MU) and penalties that kick in for those who did not attest. And the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) with penalties for those who did not successfully report on at least one patient. The new one ...
By Brandy Brimhall, CPC, CMCO, CCCPC, CPCO, CPMA | Published November 19th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 30th, 2017
Recovery Audit Contractors, also known as RAC, is a program that seeks to identify and correct improper payments for services provided to Medicare Parts A & B beneficiaries. This includes both recoupment of overpayments and corrected distribution of underpayments made by CMS.  RAC began in 2005 as a three-year demonstration project consisting ...
By Evan M. Gwilliam DC MBA BS CPC CCPC QCC CPC-I MCS-P CPMA CMHP | Published October 16th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 23rd, 2017
In October of 2000 in the Federal Register the Office of the Inspector General (who investigates fraud against the federal government on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services) offered general guidelines for health care facilities to set up a “Compliance Program”. This advice has long been pushed ...
By | Published July 24th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 29th, 2016
Are Medicare fees going up? Or down? Results for the following:
Sequestration
Chiropractic Demonstration Project
Electronic Health Record/Meaningful Use
Physician Quality Reporting System - PQRS
Value-Based Modifier
ICD-10 Coding Possibilities for Chiropractic Physicians
By Evan M Wsilliam, DC, CPC, CCPC, NCICS, CCCPC, CPC-I, MCS-P, CPMA | Published September 11th, 2013 - Last Review/Update January 27th, 2017
Right now, it’s hard to say which ICD-10 codes third-party payers will select as medically necessary, but we can make an educated guess based on information from a few sources. More detail is expected from Medicare before the end of 2013. For doctors of chiropractic (DCs), the natural place to start is with the relatively short list of frequently used ICD-9-CM codes for submitting claims. We’ll investigate a handful of diagnosis codes that Medicare recognizes as medically necessary and explore ICD-10-CM code possibilities.
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November 5th, 2019
Proving Medical Necessity and Functional Improvement
Medicare is required by law to pay for care that is medically necessary. Medicare considers functional improvement to be the primary indicator of medical necessity for chiropractic care. It is up to you, the doctor, to prove functional improvement and medical necessity with your documentation. Dr. Short will show you how to use common practice tools to document functional improvement, medical necessity and maximum medical improvement.
Inappropriate Payments Made to Chiropractors – An OIG Review
In this webinar, Dr. Gwilliam will take you on a fun filled journey through all of the reports created by the Office of the Inspector General based on their reviews of chiropractors. If you can understand what they see, and what advice they give Medicare when dealing with chiropractors, then you will be better prepared to not become their next target. This webinar may feel a little frightening with hundreds of thousands of dollars paid back to CMS, but, by the end, you will know exactly what to do and what not to do.
Currently Medicare only pays for the adjustment and then only when it is used to correct a subluxation. This injustice within the Social Security Act needs corrected. Dr. Ron Short will discuss the Medicare laws as they relate to chiropractic and what changes need to be made and why.
...
Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment and Medicare - Part 2
In this CE webinar, Dr. Gwilliam will continue his discussion from the webinar delivered Dec. 18 about chiropractic manipulative treatment. But this time, it is all about Medicare. If you don't treat Medicare beneficiaries, you should probably listen anyway. Usually whatever Medicare wants is the same thing as all the other payers. Find out the difference between acute, chronic, and maintenance, as well as when to use certain modifiers.
Medicare continues to increase their efforts to review doctors and recover “overpayments”. This increases the likelihood that your notes will be reviewed and that you will be required to pay money back to Medicare. In this webinar Dr. Short will show you:
Why you should appeal every adverse decision.
How to appeal adverse decisions.
What information you need in your documentation for an effective appeal.
How to structure your appeals to be most effective.
In this webinar, Dr. Marty Kotlar (certified coding and compliance expert) will discuss how to create an OIG/Medicare compliance plan. He will explain how to create policies, how to perform a "self-test" on your SOAP notes, search the Medicare exclusions list, Stark, anti-kickback and how to handle compliance concerns.
Medicare reviews claims for a variety of reasons. Some are routine and are not a problem for the doctor or the practice. Some are investigatory in nature and indicate a serious potential threat for both the doctor and the practice. Dr. Ron Short will go over the types of reviews and which are routine and which should cause you to lose sleep.
In this webinar you will learn:
-What routine reviews are and why they are conducted
-What reviews are a potential risk
-What triggers reviews
-When to get help and what kind of help to get
Proving Medical Necessity and Functional Improvement
Medicare is required by law to pay for care that is medically necessary. Medicare considers functional improvement to be the primary indicator of medical necessity for chiropractic care. It is up to you, the doctor, to prove functional improvement and medical necessity with your documentation. Dr. Short will show you how to use common practice tools to document functional improvement, medical necessity and maximum medical improvement. You will learn:
What is Medicare’s definition of medical necessity.
How to prove medical necessity.
How to report this information to Medicare.
How to determine Maximum Medical Improvement.
Earlier this year the Medicare Administrative Contractors revised their Local Coverage
Determinations. There are some changes that will affect how you document your Medicare
visits. Medicare requires that you have a treatment plan with measurable goals. The treatment plan also serves the purpose of providing you and your patient with a roadmap of care. In this
webinar Dr. Short will show you:
What specific elements Medicare requires in each treatment plan.
How to use common clinical tools to develop effective treatment plans.
Why the treatment plan is critical to proving medical necessity and overall patient care.
This webinar will give you practical information that you can apply in your office the next day.
You can obtain the notes for this webinar by subscribing to my e-mail updates at http://www.chiromedicare.net/mailing-list- signup/ or by following the link provided in my e-
mail update. They will be available by the Monday prior to the webinar presentation.
In this webinar, Dr. Gwilliam will go over code updates for 2018. He will show you some new ways to look at Episodes of Care, which is critical for Medicare. You'll learn how to use self audit checklists to make sure you survive the inevitable third party audit. Confession: This webinar is really just a pitch for all of the cool new things we are adding to the 2018 DeskBook, which will be released in October. We will give you the low down on what you need to be successful next year.
If eligible, you need to start reporting for MIPS by October 2th, 2017. Do you know who is exempt? Are you familiar with the quality measures that apply to chiropractors? Do you understand how to report on the Advancing Care Information or Improvement Activities? Don’t worry, Dr. Gwilliam has done all your homework and, in this presentation, you will get the crib notes containing just what you need to know. You don’t need to feel overwhelmed with Medicare regulations, you just need to know what to do.
The New Local Coverage Determinations and What They Mean to You
Earlier this year the Medicare Administrative Contractors revised their Local Coverage Determinations. There are some changes that will affect how you document your Medicare
visits.
In this webinar, Dr. Ron Short will explain the changes to the Local Coverage Determinations and how to utilize them in your practice.
You will learn:
What has changed and how it will affect you
What has stayed the same
How to document Medicare Visits
How to Convert Your Medicare Patients to Cash to Avoid the Penalties of MACRA
The #1 concern reported by CMS about chiropractors is that, as a profession, we do a poor job of understanding maintenance care. Of course, that is THEIR definition of maintenance care. When you better understand the rules of medical necessity in Medicare, you begin to see what they are talking about. The truth is that there is a “gray” area between the distinct “white” of active treatment and the “black” of maintenance treatment, and that gray area is confusing when defining “covered” vs. “not covered” chiropractic care in Medicare. Join us to find out the following critical information in time for the MACRA Section 514 implementation January 1, 2017:
Find out exactly what Medicare deems as maintenance care and how to recognize it with our patients
Learn what your options are for treating your Medicare patient’s maintenance care for cash
Hear scripting that is vital to your patient understanding what’s going on with their coverage, or lack thereof
Properly document the difference between active and maintenance care
Better manage those little incidents that come up for chronic, Medicare patients
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