Comments for Revenue Cycle Institute

Comment on CMS releases RAC audit phase-in strategy: Complex reviews to arrive as soon as August by Valuable Internet Information » CMS releases RAC audit phase-in strategy: Complex reviews to …

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:16:54 +0000

[...] Continued here: CMS releases RAC audit phase-in strategy: Complex reviews to … [...]

Comment on CMS releases RAC provider outreach schedule by Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A

Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:43:34 +0000

You can find that map at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/RAC/Downloads/RAC%20Expansion%20Schedule%20Web.pdf

Good luck!

Comment on CMS releases RAC provider outreach schedule by Kathy Stratman, RN

Kathy Stratman, RN — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:27:25 +0000

Trying to find out the color map - what states are what colors (i.e. yellow/green/or blue)

Comment on CMS issues supplemental fiscal year 2010 proposed rule for long-term acute care hospitals by Lucky Luck » CMS issues supplemental fiscal year 2010 proposed rule for long …

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:12:01 +0000

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Comment on CMS issues supplemental fiscal year 2010 proposed rule for long-term acute care hospitals by CMS issues supplemental fiscal year 2010 proposed rule for long … « Supplemental

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:04:55 +0000

[...] Originally posted here: CMS issues supplemental fiscal y&#… [...]

Comment on Q&A: Are all hospital acquired conditions (HACs) also ‘never-events’? by Barack Obama Speaks Health Care Reform to the AMA. What about Defective Medical Devices? | Thomas A. Sharon, R.N., M.P.H.

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:33:29 +0000

[...] Q&A: Are all hospital acquired conditions (HACs) also ‘never-events’? [...]

Comment on CMS updates RAC audit timeline: Complex reviews still months away by Monica Coca

Monica Coca — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:32:01 +0000

Does this delay affect all states. I am trying to confirm this for a facility that resides in IL. Thanks for your help.

Comment on Fee-for-service payments under scrutiny by Joe

Joe — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:18:16 +0000

Physicians do increase costs by ordering too many tests but not necessarily under the assumptiom that they will make more money. Lack of information of previously performed tests contributes to increasing costs. If a patients is admitted to a hospital with chest pain, most of the time an echocardiogram is ordered. However, sometimes an echocardiogram was recently done and may not need to be repeated. Unfortunetly, the physician cannot know this and orders the test. It is hopeful that the establishment of a universal EMR will help to prevent duplicate testing.
Also, physicians perform tests “just in case.” They are concerned with lawsuits and therefore order a test thinking that because they will be covered. Defensive medicine costs health care billions of dollars a year. certainly, capping malpractice awards can help to reduce defensive medicine practices (although this is now deeply imbedded in the physician culture).
Changing (meaning reducing payments…right?) the payment system to physicians does little to change the practice of medicine. How do we know? Because that has been the solution over the last few years and it has failed. ‘
The solution is to provide physicians with a wealth of information and knowledge and limit the fear of lawsuits. Stop binding the hands of OUR doctors.

Comment on Take our survey; Be part of a comprehensive look at national RAC preparedness by Zoe Zimmerman, RN, CPC

Zoe Zimmerman, RN, CPC — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Your survey did not allow for mulitple answers in most cases.

I would appreciate a benchmark of the survey.

Thanks you.

Comment on May 11-18 MLN Matters articles: CMS clarifies new criteria for determining outpatient status for critical access hospitals, and more by Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A

Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:51:57 +0000

The links seem to be working again at this point. Please let me know if you continue to experience difficulties. You may email me at akraynak@hcpro.com.
Thanks!

Comment on May 11-18 MLN Matters articles: CMS clarifies new criteria for determining outpatient status for critical access hospitals, and more by Pam Jacoabsen

Pam Jacoabsen — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:09:29 +0000

The link to the May 11-18 MLN Matters on CMS clariification on criteria for outpatient status for CAH does not work

Comment on Top 10 lessons learned from the RAC demonstration program by Ryan Williamson

Ryan Williamson — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:06:54 +0000

I suggest going to AHA’s website. They have a list of vendors there that have tools specifically designed to manage the RAC process.

Comment on Top 10 lessons learned from the RAC demonstration program by Lynne DiMatteo RN

Lynne DiMatteo RN — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:27:52 +0000

I am seeking sample tools designed to track the RAC process. Any suggestions?

Thank you

Comment on Important CY 2009 OPPS status indicator changes by Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A

Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:46:05 +0000

Hi Donna,

Judith wasn’t familiar with the specific coverage criteria for this particular drug. However, she suggests that you contact the carrier/MAC in your area, since this is a physician coverage issue.

Also, she wasnt sure what the HCPCS code is for the drug, if Medicare has assigned one. Using a HCPCS code might produce some additional information.

I hope that helps!

Comment on CMS updates RAC outreach schedule by Mike Oglesby

Mike Oglesby — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:17:40 +0000

thanks for the info and link to CMS outreach but I cannot find Arkansas listed on any schedule. We roll out in August (RAC) and it would be nice to know when a Town Meeting is scheduled.

Comment on CMS updates RAC outreach schedule by Mike Todai

Mike Todai — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:50:18 +0000

For some region it is little late. Functions dating March 2009 and onwards…

May be timely for other regions…

Comment on CMS releases RAC provider outreach schedule by Cindy Hooper

Cindy Hooper — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:01:16 +0000

We are Region C - Alabama. According to Connolly, Alabama is considered a blue state and no education has yet been scheduled. They anticipate July/August.

Currently, those states considered yellow and green are being scheduled for outreach education.

Comment on CMS announces RAC Open Door Forums by Nancy Beckley

Nancy Beckley — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:17:28 +0000

I agree with Dave, it is so important for people to have access to informational sessions, and to feel as if CMS and the RACs have made the best efforts to ensure that. So far this effort has failed many constituents, and we all need to make our concerns known: to our FIs, MACs and Carriers, as well as to our professional trade associations who have access points within CMS.

Comment on CMS announces RAC Open Door Forums by Dave Cholger

Dave Cholger — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:55:53 +0000

I tried calling in at approximately 1:48. I was on hold for 10 minutes and then informed conference was filled. I think it is important for the providers to attend a conference before the RACS are out in the field. Need to offer more forums.

Comment on CMS announces RAC Open Door Forums by Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A

Andrea Kraynak, CPC-A — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:21:12 +0000

It seems that many of our readers are reporting that they experienced difficulties getting on the the April 8 RAC Open Door Forum call. Has anyone else experienced such difficulties or were you able hear the call?