A recent report by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General shines a light on significant billing issues for neurostimulator implantation surgeries. READ MORE
The CDC and CMS published a new Chronic Pain Experience Journey Map to highlight significant barriers to care for those experiencing chronic pain, as the CDC announces a new record for drug overdose deaths in the US in 2021. In this post, we explore how the two are connected. READ MORE
New Medicare local coverage determinations may hinder the ability to be paid for anesthesia services during Epidural Steroid Injections for pain management. The LCDs for several Medicare Administrative Contractors went into effect in late 2021, and others are being rolled out in 2022.
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A February ruling by Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas found portions of the independent dispute resolution process, established by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury during last year’s surprise billing rulemaking, to be inconsistent with the No Surprises Act. READ MORE
The CDC is revising their controversial 2016 opioid prescribing guidelines. A draft version was released earlier this month, and public comments are being accepted through April 11, 2022. READ MORE
On January 1, 2022, key provisions of the No Surprises Act (NSA) went into effect. At its core, the No Surprises Act seeks to protect patients from surprise bills generated by out-of-network emergency or air ambulance service providers, or other out-of-network (OON) services provided at in-network facilities. Here’s where we are one month in. READ MORE
A small provision of the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act paves the way for Medicare patients to eventually pay no coinsurance for colorectal cancer screening tests when they become diagnostic. CMS finalized how that guideline will be enacted in the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. READ MORE
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently published the final rule of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2022. In addition to changing the payment rates for 2022, CMS also finalized changes to several payment policies. We’ve highlighted a few of the biggest for anesthesiologists below. READ MORE
While physicians and other providers wait to see if the proposed 3.75 percent fee reductions make it into the final rule of the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, two other looming cuts to Medicare payments have them facing down a 9.75 percent pay cut beginning January 1, 2022. READ MORE
Earlier this month, the American Society of Anesthesiologists released their annual Commercial Payer Survey results for 2021. Below you’ll find our brief analysis to help you evaluate and negotiate your own managed care contracts for 2022. READ MORE
