ACA

Did Healthcare Policy Issues Play a Role in the Iowa Presidential Caucus Results?

By Harris Meyer for Modern Healthcare After attacking Donald Trump over the weekend for his previous favorable remarks about single-payer healthcare, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz squeaked out a victory over the billionaire New York developer in the Iowa presidential caucuses Monday night, with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio trailing close behind. Meanwhile, the Iowa Democratic Party declared…

Read MoreDid Healthcare Policy Issues Play a Role in the Iowa Presidential Caucus Results?

The Essentials of Medical Necessity

By Laurie Desjardins, CPC-I for For The Record Vol. 27 No. 11 P. 6 The Social Security Act defines medical necessity as follows: “Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, no payment may be made under Part A or Part B for any expenses incurred for items or services, which are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis…

Read MoreThe Essentials of Medical Necessity

ICD-10 Moves Healthcare One Step Closer to Improved Documentation

Article by Karen Diop, RN, CDIP. This article was originally published on the Journal of AHIMA website in the “Coding Notes” section in November 2015 and is republished here with permission. Change has become a constant in healthcare. With the introduction of electronic health record (EHR) systems, core measures, the “meaningful use” EHR Incentive Program, value-based purchasing, and the…

Read MoreICD-10 Moves Healthcare One Step Closer to Improved Documentation

HIPAA Audits Are Still on Hold

By Marianne Kolbasuk McGee for Govinfo Security OCR Director Reveals Enforcement Plans for 2015 The unit of the Department of Health and Human Services that enforces HIPAA still has plenty of work to do before it can launch its long-promised next round of HIPAA compliance audits, as planned for this year. The HHS Office for…

Read MoreHIPAA Audits Are Still on Hold

100 healthcare statistics to know

By Shannon Barnet for Becker’s Hospital Review The term “healthcare” encompasses a wide variety of issues ranging from insurance coverage controversies and workforce compensation trends to prescription drug administration and health information technology. Being able to master all matters of healthcare would likely take an inordinate amount of time, which is why Becker’s Hospital Review…

Read More100 healthcare statistics to know

What’s Next for Health Care

By Robert Pear for  The New York Times WASHINGTON — The first open enrollment period for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act has just ended, and consumers, insurers and federal officials now face many immediate chores and challenges that will help determine if the law works as intended. Many questions about the law’s potential…

Read MoreWhat’s Next for Health Care

Is The ICD-10 Pilot Forecast A Perfect Storm for Healthcare?

By Edmund Billings, MD for HIT Consultant The “perfect storm” will be quickly descending upon the healthcare system. Let me concede from the outset that, in this article, I lean toward the negative—dire predictions, worst-case scenarios, a bit of doom and gloom, etc. But I ask you, oh gentle, patient reader, how could I not?…

Read MoreIs The ICD-10 Pilot Forecast A Perfect Storm for Healthcare?