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Author: Lauren Brown

AL Medicaid Deadline to Submit Promoting Interoperability is August 31, 2021

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Attention Medicaid Providers: The Alabama Medicaid Promoting Interoperability (PI) Program will soon begin accepting Program Year (PY) 2021 applications. Program Year 2021 is the FINAL year or the PI Program. The Alabama State Level Registry (SLR) will OPEN on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. CST to receive ONLY MU attestation enrollments for PY 2021. The FINAL date to submit applications is August 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. CST. December 31, 2021 is the statutory deadline for issuing…
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Congress extends 2% Medicare sequester moratorium through the end of 2021

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On April 13th, 2021, Legislation was passed by Congress that extended the current 2% Medicare sequester moratorium established by the CARES Act through December 31, 2021. The previous expiration date was March 31, 2021. CMS had previously instructed all MACs to hold all claims with dates of service beginning April 1st for a short period of time as not to interfere with cash flow, in anticipation of possible Congressional action to extend the 2% sequester…
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Repayment of Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program loans could begin in April

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In 2020, CMS expanded the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program (AAP) which made it available to most Medicare physicians. Due to COVID-19, the AAP Program provided loans to applicants facing financial hardships based on historic Medicare billing. Repayment of AAP loans begins one year from the date the payment was issued. This means repayment for some could begin in early April 2021. A provider may repay their accelerated or advance payment at any time…
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Information Blocking Compliance Date is April 5, 2021

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The ONC Cures Act Final Rule implements interoperability requirements to empower patients with their health care, and access to information is key to making that happen. ONC defines information blocking as a practice by a health IT developer of certified health IT, health information network, health information exchange, or health care provider that, except as required by law or specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a reasonable and necessary activity, is likely…
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2020 MIPS Deadlines for March 31, 2021

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Attention MIPS Eligible Providers: Tomorrow, March 31, 2021 8:00 PM ET, is the LAST day to apply for the 2020 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception. Tomorrow, March 31, 2021, is also the LAST day to submit 2020 MIPS performance year data. For more information please visit the QPP website. As an additional COVID-19 flexibility, CMS is applying the MIPS automatic extreme and uncontrollable circumstances (EUC) policy to all MIPS eligible clinicians for the 2020 performance period.  What does this mean…
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2021 Quality Measure Updates – BCBS of AL

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There are updates to the Quality measures for primary care, pediatric and OB-GYN providers in 2021. New to the program are star weights which are noted below. A measure with a 3 or 2 star weighting is weighted more heavily in a provider’s overall Quality score compared to a measure that is weighted a 1 star. Value-based payment first quarter scoring and open/closed gaps in care will be accurately displayed in the Patient Management Resource on…
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BCBS of AL – Inappropriate Billing Related to COVID-19

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Visit AlabamaBlue.com/providers/coronavirus for the latest information: Through the use of advanced analytics and data mining, concerning trends have been identified over the past year related to testing and vaccinations for COVID-19 and telehealth visits. Additionally, Blue Cross continues to receive many complaints from members regarding inappropriate billing and unnecessary care.  Blue Cross will audit these trends and complaints to ensure appropriate application of our member’s benefits for medically necessary services. Patient interviews may be conducted as well to verify services rendered….
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CMS Automatic Extreme & Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception for 2020 MIPS

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As an additional COVID-19 flexibility, CMS is applying the MIPS automatic extreme and uncontrollable circumstances (EUC) policy to all MIPS eligible clinicians for the 2020 performance period.  CMS has also reopened the application for the 2020 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception for COVID-19. The new deadline is March 31, 2021 8:00 PM ET. What does this mean if I have already submitted data? Note that applications received between now and March 31, 2021 won’t override previously…
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2021 MediSYS VIRTUAL User Conference

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February 23rd, 24th & 25th Join us for our FIRST Virtual User Conference!  We will explore COVID challenges and solutions, billing and clinical optimization, plus MUCH MORE! BCBS of AL Primary Care & Specialist Updates Kim Huey – 2021 E/M Coding Getting Paid During a Pandemic SMART Documentation MIPS MediSYS M3: Minimal Change, Major Benefits ***The first 200 to register will receive a special goodie box – mailed to your home before the virtual conference!…
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2021 MIPS Performance Year Eligibility

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You can now use the updated Quality Payment Program Participation Status Tool to check on your initial 2021 eligibility for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Prepare now to earn a positive payment adjustment in 2023 based on your 2021 performance. Low-Volume Threshold Requirements To be eligible to participate in MIPS in 2021, you must: Bill more than $90,000 a year in allowed charges for covered professional services under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS); AND Furnish covered professional services…
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2020 MIPS Performance Year Deadlines & More

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Reminder: 2020 MIPS performance year data submission window closes March 31, 2021. For more information please visit the QPP website. Reminder: 2020 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception Application Deadline was extended to February 1, 2021. If you have any concerns about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on your performance data, including cost measures, for the 2020 performance period, submit an application now and be sure to cite COVID-19 as the reason for your application.  2020 MIPS…
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