Archive for April 2018
Medical Associations Propose New Payment Model for Opioid Addiction Treatment
Recognizing that the current payment structure for physicians who provide outpatient opioid addiction treatment is not working, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) have come up with an alternative payment model. In a recently released 39-page brief, the two medical associations suggest that those treating patients addicted to…
Read MoreOIG Report Finds Improper Billing for Telemedicine Services
As the push to increase the use of telemedicine grows, so too do concerns over questionable billing practices. In a recently released report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) paid practitioners for services that did not meet Medicare…
Read MoreOIG Workplan Update: From Opioid Misuse to Elder Abuse
The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) continues to update its Work Plan monthly. As we previously noted, the OIG has gone from an annual update to monthly updates as a way to enhance transparency. It sets forth various projects including OIG audits and evaluations that are underway…
Read MoreFeds Cracking Down on Opioid Prescribers and Dispensers
Healthcare professionals and pharmacies take note: If you are prescribing or dispensing what appears to be an unusual or disproportionate amount of controlled substances, there’s a good chance the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) could come knocking on your door. The federal government recently announced that for 45 days during February and March it “surged†its…
Read MoreNew Florida Law Makes it Easier for Doctors to Offer Direct Primary Care Agreements
Late last month, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill (HB 37) allowing physicians, chiropractors and group practices to sign direct primary care agreements (DPC) with patients without having to worry about violating insurance laws. Such agreements are becoming increasingly popular. According to a survey from the American Academy of Family Physicians, nearly 3 percent…
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