RAC Audits Revisited
by AJ Riviezzo Apparently, Medicare had decided to balance their budget on your labor. With the proposed cuts to reimbursement and the dramatic increase in Recovery Audit Contractor program (RAC), there seems to be a big push currently to retain… Read More
Varithena Revisited
by AJ Riviezzo There has been some ‘noise’ out in the phlebology community regarding the use of Varithena. I would like to present some information for your consideration. The Varithena codes, 36465 and 36466, are only to be used if… Read More
Conservative Therapy And Rac Audits
by AJ Riviezzo There has been a good bit of debate on the AVLS Member’s Community board regarding when conservative therapy begins. Here is my ‘take’ based on what I have seen transpire during RAC audits. Many practices believe if… Read More
Proposed Medicare Lcd Changes
by AJ Riviezzo First Coast Service Options (who services Florida and Puerto Rico Medicare Part B patients) and Novitas Solutions (who services Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Delaware, DC, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) have proposed new… Read More
Business Associate Agreement Overview
by AJ Riviezzo One of the more non-compliant elements that small practices have is the lack of a completed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). This is a relatively easy element to accomplish that can help ensure HIPAA compliance of your non-employee… Read More
RAC Audits – Coming to a Practice Near You
by AJ Riviezzo There has been an upsurge in the number of phlebology practices receiving requests for medical records from Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC). These contractors are empowered by the Medicare Fee for Service Recovery Audit Program. The keys to… Read More
Credit Card Fees
by AJ Riviezzo With reimbursement for procedures dropping, it is becoming essential for a practice to be mindful of every expense including hidden ones. Credit card processing fees are one such example. With deductibles, copayments and coinsurance always increasing; an… Read More
Patient Insurance Changes
by Cheryl Nash Open enrollment has started again and that means plan changes for a lot of patients. Medicare has continued to increase the number of Advantage products nationwide and the existing plans are competing for new enrollees. While keeping… Read More
E&M Changes – What you need to know Jan 1.
by Cheryl Nash Below is a summary of the pertinent changes affecting practices with the new coding guidelines going into effect for 2021. Additional details can be found in the link appended to this article and readers are highly encouraged… Read More
First Coast Service Options and Novitas LCD Changes
by AJ Riviezzo Effective 12/27/2020, both First Coast Service Options and Novitas will have new Local Coverage Determinations (policies)in place. There are some substantial changes to both the policies and some minor changes to what we reported on the original… Read More