November 2021

States ranked by percentage of population fully vaccinated: Nov. 10

By Katie Adams for Becker’s Hospital Review Vermont has the highest percentage of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration data tracker. The CDC’s data tracker compiles data from healthcare facilities and public health authorities. It updates daily to report the total number of people in each state who…

Read MoreStates ranked by percentage of population fully vaccinated: Nov. 10

The era of surprise medical bills may be ending

By for Annie Nova for CNBC KEY POINTS The No Surprises Act, which takes effect in 2022, will greatly reduce the number of unanticipated out-of-network medical bills that many people are hit with during emergency medical treatment. “These bills are really the epitome of lack of choice combined with high prices that people experience every…

Read MoreThe era of surprise medical bills may be ending

CMS penalizes 2,499 hospitals for high readmissions: 5 things to know

By Ayla Ellison for Becker’s Hospital Review In fiscal year 2022, CMS will penalize 2,499 hospitals for having too many Medicare patients readmitted within 30 days, according to federal data analyzed by Kaiser Health News. This is the 10th year of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. To determine penalties for fiscal year 2022, CMS used patient…

Read MoreCMS penalizes 2,499 hospitals for high readmissions: 5 things to know

Urology Coding Q&A: Can you explain the difference and appropriate use of modifier -57 vs -25?

By Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, Mark Painter for Urology Times “As always, document well and use the modifiers when appropriate,” advise Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter. Can you explain the difference and appropriate use of modifier -57 vs -25? Although this may seem like a basic question for many coders, some do not fully understand the difference…

Read MoreUrology Coding Q&A: Can you explain the difference and appropriate use of modifier -57 vs -25?