A few months ago, BCBS of AL began waiving member cost-sharing (copayment, deductible, co-insurance) for all identified telehealth services, regardless of whether there was a diagnosis related to COVID-19. For most Blue Cross members, the cost-sharing waiver for telehealth services filed with a non-COVID-19-related diagnosis code will end July 31, 2020. Because benefits can vary depending on a member’s plan, it’s important to always check eligibility and benefits through MediSYS PM or ProviderAccess to confirm coverage and cost-sharing...
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CARES Act Provider Relief Fund: For Providers Apply for funding from the Medicaid, CHIP and Dental Distributions Dental Application Deadline: August 3, 2020 Medicaid and CHIP Application Deadline: August 3, 2020 To learn about the application process: Watch a recording : Register/log in to watch a previous webinar session. Read the Medicaid and CHIP Provider Distribution Fact Sheet - PDF Before you apply: Read the Medicaid Provider Distribution Instructions - PDF Download the Medicaid Provider Distribution Application Form - PDF...
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The 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Period Closes on September 1st The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to remind you that the end of the 2021 Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Self-Nomination period is September 1, 2020 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The Self-Nomination Tool on the QPP website will lock at the deadline and additional edits will not be permitted. Please ensure that your 2021 MIPS Self-Nomination Form is complete and click the Submit...
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Provider Relief Fund application deadline extended The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) reopened the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) General Distribution portal for certain providers and recently announced the deadline to apply has been extended to Sept. 13. The portal is reopened for providers who: Did not receive an initial payment that totals approximately 2 percent of their annual patient revenue; Received an initial payment, but missed the June 3 deadline to submit their revenue information...
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2021 ICD-10-CM codes are to be used for discharges occurring from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 and for patient encounters occurring from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. For more information please visit: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/icd-10/2021-icd-10-cm

October 3 is the Last Start Date for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program EHR Reporting Period For more information visit: 2020 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Requirements FY 2020 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Overview Fact Sheet For more information on the Promoting Interoperability Programs, visit the Promoting Interoperability Programs website.

Public comments on the proposed rules are due by October 5, 2020. For a fact sheet on the CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/proposed-policy-payment-and-quality-provisions-changes-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-calendar-year-4 Trump Administration Proposes to Expand Telehealth Benefits Permanently for Medicare Beneficiaries Beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Advances Access to Care in Rural Areas Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule would make permanent certain telehealth and workforce flexibilities provided during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and improve healthcare...
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Oct. 5 - Deadline to Request MIPS Targeted Review Clinicians who participated in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2019 can review their performance feedback, MIPS final score, and 2021 payment adjustment factor on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website. If you believe there is an error in your group practice or clinician's 2021 MIPS payment adjustment calculation, you can request a targeted review via the QPP site until Oct. 5, 2020, at 8:00 PM ET....
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October 5th, 2020 is the first day applications will be accepted for $20 billion in new funding under Phase 3 of the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution allocation. The application portal closes on November 6, 2020 at 10:59 p.m. CST. HHS is encouraging providers to submit their applications as soon as possible to expedite calculation and distribution of payments. For more information please visit: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/index.html.

View the Proposed Rule, the Physician Fee Schedule Fact Sheet, and the QPP Fact Sheet for more information.

November 6th, 2020 is the last day applications will be accepted for $20 billion in new funding under Phase 3 of the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution allocation. The application portal closes on November 6, 2020 at 10:59 p.m. CST. HHS is encouraging providers to submit their applications as soon as possible to expedite calculation and distribution of payments. For more information please visit: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/index.html.

Reminder: Update Your Billing Info by November 13 for Your APM Incentive Payment The CMS QPP (Quality Payment Program) website includes 2020 Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Payment details. To access information on the incentive amount and organization paid, clinicians and surrogates can log in to the QPP website using their HARP credentials. In order to receive payments, certain clinicians will need to verify their Medicare billing information by November 13, 2020. Many eligible clinicians who were Qualifying...
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