2019 Medical Compliance Updates

The following are updates so far for 2019.

Medicare and other carriers have posted their new fee schedule for 2019. Keep in mind that the new Medicare Part B deductible for 2019 is $185.

Sequestration will remain in effect, so expect a 2% reduction in reimbursement on all of these fees.

In addition, the MIPS program has ended the PQRS penalty and the EHR penalty. This is expected to result in an increase in your reimbursement since penalties will not be levied.

I strongly recommend that the front desk update the ABN and claim form for 2019. Each Medicare patient should sign a new form, so that you are assured the forms are signed in a timely manner.

Front desk procedures will also have to be updated at the beginning of 2019. Although a patient may have had Blue Cross (as an example) in 2018 and they still have it in 2019, their coverage may be different. It is recommended that for all insurance patients you update their insurance information, contact information and HIPAA forms.

It is recommended that every employee undergo update training on Compliance and HIPAA as mandated by law. I am scheduled to teach in several locations in the first quarter of the year. Please take a look at the Course Schedule, including the January Health Care Updates Course in Illinois.