What’s New in Policy?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently developed a strategic plan, Leading Change 2.0: Advancing the Behavioral Health of the Nation 2015-2018. Unfortunately, there is not a single mention of older adults in the entire report.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently developed a strategic plan, Leading Change 2.0: Advancing the Behavioral Health of the Nation 2015-2018. Unfortunately, there is not a single mention of older adults in the entire report. Although there are multiple lists of underserved populations throughout the document, older adults are never listed. For example, even for Goal 1.3, “Prevent and reduce attempted suicides and death by suicide among populations at high risk”, older adults are not included in the high risk list. The recent death of Robin Williams highlights how older adults have the highest risk of […]
Dr. Tony Puente presented a webinar on Coding, Billing, & Documenting Professional Psychological Services: Introduction to the CPT on May 14, 2014. Associated slides are available here. Posted May 15, 2014.
Dr. Tony Puente presented a webinar on Coding, Billing, & Documenting Professional Psychological Services: Introduction to the CPT on May 14, 2014. Associated slides are available here. Posted May 15, 2014.
New law prevents 24% cut to Medicare reimbursement rates and postpones ICD-10 implementation April 4, 2014, APA announcement: President Obama has signed a new law – Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (H.R. 4302) – averting the 24-percent Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut in Medicare provider payments that was scheduled to take effect on April 1. The bill, whose passage came down to the wire, was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH). The new law postpones the SGR cut until March 31, 2015 and extends a 0.5 percent Medicare reimbursement rate increase through December 31, 2014. A December 2013 law known as Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013 postponed the SGR cut for the first three months of 2014 and increased Medicare reimbursement by 0.5 percent through March 31 of this year. A significant provision of the law delays adoption of the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) code set from October 1, 2014 until October 1, 2015. The practical effect is that practitioners should continue to use the ICD-9-CM code set for coding and billing purposes until the new October 2015 deadline for using ICD-10-CM. Posted 4/9/14.
New law prevents 24% cut to Medicare reimbursement rates and postpones ICD-10 implementation April 4, 2014, APA announcement: President Obama has signed a new law – Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (H.R. 4302) – averting the 24-percent Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut in Medicare provider payments that was scheduled to take effect on April 1. The bill, whose passage came down to the wire, was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH). The new law postpones the SGR cut until March 31, 2015 and extends a 0.5 percent Medicare […]
Medicare database will be released this week, allowing access to information about which doctors bill how much and for what procedures. Posted 4/9/14.
Medicare database will be released this week, allowing access to information about which doctors bill how much and for what procedures. Posted 4/9/14.
APA reported on the 2014 updates to Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting System. Take a look at the 2014 PQRS Measures List. Posted on 1/18/14.
APA reported on the 2014 updates to Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting System. Take a look at the 2014 PQRS Measures List. Posted on 1/18/14.
“NCOA is launching a new online tool to help older adults improve their financial security. EconomicCheckUp® asks a series of questions to help seniors identify benefits and services that could save them money, cut expenses, get trained for and find a job, and better utilize their assets. Early tests in 25 communities found that seniors using the tool saved up to $3,000 a year on average.”
“NCOA is launching a new online tool to help older adults improve their financial security. EconomicCheckUp® asks a series of questions to help seniors identify benefits and services that could save them money, cut expenses, get trained for and find a job, and better utilize their assets. Early tests in 25 communities found that seniors using the tool saved up to $3,000 a year on average.” Posted 12/10/13
SAMHSA’s Center for Financing Reform & Innovations (CFRI) Financing Focus, November 18, 2013. This report includes information about:
SAMHSA’s Center for Financing Reform & Innovations (CFRI) Financing Focus, November 18, 2013. This report includes information about: Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Final Rule Published HHS: 106,185 Individuals Selected Marketplace Plans Through November Budget Bill Increases Federal Marketplace Income Eligibility Oversight Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Finalizes Medicare Conditions of Participation for Community Mental Health Centers
CMS memo states: Surveyors should consider facilities’ visitation policies for same-sex couples, following US Supreme court striking down DOMA. Posted 7/1/13.
CMS memo states: Surveyors should consider facilities’ visitation policies for same-sex couples, following US Supreme court striking down DOMA. Posted 7/1/13.
“Washington, DC – The newly created federal Commission on Long-Term Care has elected a Chair and Vice Chair, and has scheduled its first meeting for June 27th. Bruce A. Chernof will serve as Commission Chair, with Mark Warshawsky serving as Vice Chair. The Commission was created by the American Taxpayer Relief Act – the so-called “fiscal-cliff” law – to advise Congress on how long-term care can be better provided and financed for the nation’s older adults and people with disabilities, now and in the future.” Read more. Posted 6/18/13.
“Washington, DC – The newly created federal Commission on Long-Term Care has elected a Chair and Vice Chair, and has scheduled its first meeting for June 27th. Bruce A. Chernof will serve as Commission Chair, with Mark Warshawsky serving as Vice Chair. The Commission was created by the American Taxpayer Relief Act – the so-called “fiscal-cliff” law – to advise Congress on how long-term care can be better provided and financed for the nation’s older adults and people with disabilities, now and in the future.” Read more. Posted 6/18/13.
Medicare physician definition legislation introduced in the Senate to include psychologists. Learn more! Posted 6/13/13.
Medicare physician definition legislation introduced in the Senate to include psychologists. Learn more! Posted 6/13/13.