American Medical News - billing http://www.amednews.com/ Medical news from the news source for America's physicians en-us Newspaper Medical news Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT Copyright 2011 American Medical Association American Medical News http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/images/rss.gif http://www.amednews.com/ 88 31 The news source for America's physicians http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/21/gvsd0521.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/21/gvsd0521.htmAMA calls for 2-year delay of ICD-10 enforcementThe government must gauge the full impact of the massive code sets before requiring doctors to use them for billing services, the Association says.Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/12/19/gvsa1219.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/12/19/gvsa1219.htmMedicare opens physician claims to researchersQualified organizations can develop doctor report cards starting next year after gaining access to Medicare's claims database under a final rule.Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/12/12/bisa1212.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/12/12/bisa1212.htmPractices get more time to switch to HIPAA 5010The deadline for the electronic claims format remains unchanged, but the threat of losing Medicare payments for noncompliance is delayed.Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMTBusiness http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/12/12/bica1212.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/12/12/bica1212.htmUsing time as currency can help practices care for the uninsuredPractice Management - A column about keeping your practice in good healthMon, 12 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMTBusiness http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/11/28/prsh1128.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/11/28/prsh1128.htmAMA hoping to stop ICD-10 use in billingAssociation delegates agree on a resolution to oppose the switch to the new diagnosis coding set.Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/11/14/edsa1114.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/11/14/edsa1114.htmEditorial: Efficient claims handling: A gift that keeps on givingPhysician practices can take advantage of electronic claims processing to lower costs, save time and minimize headaches.Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMTOpinion http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/17/bica1017.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/17/bica1017.htmCounseling on alcohol helps patients and is billablePractice Management - A column about keeping your practice in good healthMon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMTBusiness http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/10/bica1010.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/10/10/bica1010.htmWhat to say when patients haggle over their billsPractice Management - A column about keeping your practice in good healthMon, 10 Oct 2011 12:00:00 GMTBusiness http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/26/gvl10926.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/26/gvl10926.htmMedicaid claims audits to begin in JanuaryCMS adjusted the RAC program in several ways supported by doctors, including requiring auditors to employ them as medical directors.Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/12/bica0912.htm http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/12/bica0912.htm Practices' clear payment policies let patients know where they standPractice Management - A column about keeping your practice in good healthMon, 12 Sep 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/29/gvsc0829.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/29/gvsc0829.htmMedicaid fetches higher drug rebates than MedicareDemocratic lawmakers want legislation that would encourage drugmakers to offer deeper discounts to poorer Part D enrollees.Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/08/gvsd0808.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/08/gvsd0808.htmLawsuit against stem cell funding dismissedLawmakers vow to continue pushing legislation to end confusion about what constitutes legal research.Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/01/edsa0801.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/01/edsa0801.htmEditorial - Poor report cards tell insurers to do their homeworkWhen insurance companies mishandle nearly 1 in 5 claims, it leads to sacrificed time, wasted money and increased stress for physicians and their practices.Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMTOpinion http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/01/gvsc0801.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/08/01/gvsc0801.htmMedicare spends 50% less on Part D drugs than initially estimatedBut Democratic lawmakers say the program must be allowed to negotiate lower prices because of the high costs some seniors face.Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/25/gvsa0725.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/25/gvsa0725.htmMore Democrats join GOP against Medicare cost-control boardThe American Medical Association is among the groups backing a bill to repeal the Medicare Independent Payment Advisory Board.Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/25/gvsb0725.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/25/gvsb0725.htmMedical liability reform demo may be in limboFunding for a second round of state grants has not been approved by Congress, and GOP lawmakers question President Obama's support for alternative liability solutions.Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/11/prsc0711.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/11/prsc0711.htmCalifornia patients can sue if personal data are released during billing disputesThe California Supreme Court determines that physicians and others are liable if the information is given to credit agencies.Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/11/prsb0711.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/11/prsb0711.htmFunding for pediatric residencies remains in doubtReduction or elimination of federal money for the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program would mean fewer pediatricians and subspecialists.Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/prl20704.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/prl20704.htmInsurers mishandle 1 in 5 claims, AMA findsThe Association's latest National Insurer Report Card finds that the accuracy rate for claims payment has declined in the past year.Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/prsi0704.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/prsi0704.htmAMA house seeks repeal of OTC drug-spending rulePatients with tax-exempt medical spending accounts are asking physicians to write prescriptions for over-the-counter medications.Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/prsf0704.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/prsf0704.htmAMA house endorses national ban on 'bath salts' synthetic drugThe dangerous drug, still legal in most states, has been compared to cocaine.Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/gvsc0704.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/07/04/gvsc0704.htmGOP doctors stand behind Medicare privatization planPhysician lawmakers defend their voucher proposal, saying Democratic cost-control measures would be a more drastic alternative.Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/06/20/gvsb0620.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/06/20/gvsb0620.htmBill would roll back restrictions on HSAs, FSAsThe changes could reduce account holders' reliance on prescriptions for over-the-counter drugs and direct more tax-exempt consumer dollars toward retainer primary care services.Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/06/06/gvsb0606.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/06/06/gvsb0606.htmHouse revives bill to allow interstate health insurance salesSenate Democrats and President Obama oppose the legislation, but three states have adopted their own versions of the federal measure.Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/30/bisa0530.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/30/bisa0530.htmHealth care spending rises as confidence in ability to pay fallsPractices are devoting more time to collections and helping patients understand their health insurance.Mon, 30 May 2011 12:00:00 GMTBusiness http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/23/gvl10523.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/23/gvl10523.htmMedicaid physician pay swept up in battle over funding and accessAn administration rule might make it harder to reduce pay rates. But Republicans say unless states can cut Medicaid rolls, payment may have to decrease.Mon, 23 May 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/23/gvsb0523.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/23/gvsb0523.htmMedical liability reform closer to House passageThe measure would limit noneconomic damages to $250,000 but faces strong opposition in the Senate and from President Obama.Mon, 23 May 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/16/gvsb0516.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/16/gvsb0516.htmBusiness is booming for Medicare recovery audit contractorsRACs recoup nearly $240 million worth of overpayments, mostly from hospitals and suppliers, in only six months.Mon, 16 May 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/16/prsb0516.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/16/prsb0516.htmAetna sues 9 N.J. doctors for 'unconscionable' feesLawsuits claim that the out-of-network physicians charged as much as $50,000 for an inpatient consultation.Mon, 16 May 2011 12:00:00 GMTProfession http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/09/gvsc0509.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/09/gvsc0509.htm2 more senators introduce bills to publish Medicare claims dataCiting concerns about identity theft and privacy, the American Medical Association opposes making individual physician data public.Mon, 09 May 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/25/gvsa0425.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/25/gvsa0425.htmObama deficit plan includes strengthened Medicare pay boardMeanwhile, a 2011 spending agreement signed by the president includes billions in health care cuts and slashes three health reform law programs.Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/18/gvsb0418.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/18/gvsb0418.htmHealth reform's first change: tax reporting rule cutThe AMA was among those supporting the rescission of the 1099 rule, which would have increased practices' administrative work.Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/18/gvsa0418.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/18/gvsa0418.htmHouse GOP budget plan aims to slice entitlements, deficitDemocrats and some in organized medicine slammed the proposal, saying it would force states, the poor and the elderly to pay too much.Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/bisa0411.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/bisa0411.htmAppealing denied claims seems to work, GAO report saysThe government is looking for a way to track and report denial rates to consumers as part of health insurance exchanges.Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTBusiness http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/gvsd0411.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/gvsd0411.htmShutdown would have had little effect on Medicare, Medicaid claims paymentsMandatory funding and federal contingency plans meant the short-term impact on government health program operations would have been minimal.Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/gvl10411.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/gvl10411.htmBill seeks outside review of relative values in Medicare servicesThe AMA, AOA and others defend the RUC process, but some primary care societies support bringing in contractors for a second opinion.Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/gvsa0411.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/11/gvsa0411.htmHouse panel votes to end insurance exchange and school health center fundingThe measures are part of the GOP's campaign to cut off spending to provisions in the health system reform law.Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/04/gvl10404.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/04/04/gvl10404.htmBill would post every physician's Medicare billing data on InternetDoctor privacy advocates defend a 30-year ban on releasing data from challenges on Capitol Hill and in the courts.Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/28/bisb0328.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/28/bisb0328.htmNew Jersey Blues ordered to pay $8 million for putting claims on holdThe insurer also faces a $500,000 fine and must repay physicians, members and the state costs plus interest for 'pending' claims.Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMTBusiness http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/28/gvsc0328.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/28/gvsc0328.htmSupreme Court refuses to hear pay-for-delay casePharmacies and drug wholesalers say paying generic companies to slow marketing is anticompetitive and limits access to low-cost medications.Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/21/gvsb0321.htmhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/21/gvsb0321.htmGOP targets mandatory funding for health reform lawDemocrats defend the mode of spending for the provisions, but Republicans say the money should be scrutinized during the appropriations process.Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMTGovernment