CMS proposed rule details Medicare’s new physician “Quality Payment Program”

Reporting under new measures slated to begin in 2017

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency responsible for Medicare payment to physicians, released a proposed rule on April 27, 2016, setting forth key provisions of its Quality Payment Program for physicians, implementing key provisions in the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). MACRA repealed the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula for annually adjusting Medicare payment to the nation’s physicians, replacing the SGR with a value-based payment system to be developed by CMS consistent with MACRA’s directives. The proposed rule has been published in the May 9, 2016 Federal Register. Comments are due by June 27, 2016.

Continue Reading MACRA on the Move!

2016 Amendments Permit Disclosure for Care Coordination Only Under State Law

One of the more challenging aspects of medical records management are federal and state legalities around release of substance abuse and mental health patient information. This year, the Iowa General Assembly passed legislation, Senate File 2144, to permit disclosure of otherwise confidential behavioral health information under Iowa law for care coordination purposes. SF 2144 was signed by Governor Branstad on April 6 and became effective on that day.

Continue Reading Iowa Legislature Amends Behavioral Health Disclosure Laws

Even so, employers are best protected in giving statutory notice and medical providers are best protected in assuring that continued care remains authorized.

Notification requirements imposed by Iowa’s workers’ compensation law upon employers authorizing care for an injured employee took center stage in a recent decision of the Iowa Supreme Court. In that case, Ramirez-Trujillo v Quality Egg, L.L.C., et. al. (No. 14-0640, filed April 15, 2016), an employee suffered back injuries from a slip and fall at work. The employer acknowledged the workplace injury and authorized care through a care provider selected by the employer. The employee received treatment for acute low back pain and muscle spasms until the authorized provider released the employee to return to full duty work without restrictions. Weeks later, however, the employee returned to the authorized care provider for additional treatment for acute low back pain and muscle spasms over a period of several months.

Continue Reading Iowa Supreme Court Crafts An Avenue Of Relief For Employers Who Fail To Notify Injured Workers That Medical Care Is No Longer Authorized

Brick Gentry’s president Paul Drey twice addresses the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) at its Annual Conference in Coralville, Iowa this month.

“Protect Yourself: The Basics of Employment Contracts,” illuminates considerations for physician employment agreements. The program synopsis raises important questions:  “The work does not end once you verbally accept a position. But does the offer meet your needs? Will this contract limit your practice options in the future? Find out answers to these questions and more during this session.”

Paul Drey’s second presentation is in conjunction with Timothy Irhig, M.D., of UnityPoint Clinic – Trinity Palliative Medicine. “Legal and Ethical Issues Related to End-of-Life Care,” is summarized in the IMS program: “Carrying out the wishes of patients at the end of their lives is important. When a patient has an advanced directive, healthcare professionals need to know what the legal and ethical guidelines are regarding the decisions that were made prior to or early in their disease process. This session features information you need to care for your patients and protect yourself.”

HIPAA AND FEES FOR MEDICAL RECORDS – Updated OCR guidance sets limits.

Physicians and other HIPAA covered entity providers are familiar with HIPAA’s rule on fees that may be charged when individuals request copies of their medical records. The federal Office of Civil Rights (OCR), the enforcement agency for the HIPAA Privacy Rule, recently released updated guidance directives on when fees may be imposed and limitations on costs that may be included in assessing such fees. Medical practices, especially those with separate HIPAA and non-HIPAA medical record fee schedules, may be surprised at what the OCR is now saying.

Continue Reading HIPAA and Fees For Medical Records

Apple Watch at Brick Gentry P.C.
Apple Watch at Brick Gentry P.C.

Apple Watch, HIPAA, and Mobile Healthcare Industry.

When one of our more tech savvy partners recently showed us his new Apple Watch, it instinctively raised questions as to how would HIPAA regulate its use. One possible answer is that the features of this new Apple Watch may be the linchpin to a whole new culture in the mobile health industry.

Continue Reading Peeling Back the Apple Watch

The billing physician must be the supervising physician.

The final CY (calendar year) 2016 Medicare physician payment rule is out and published in the November 16, 2015 Federal Register. In that rule, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) made two changes clarifying Medicare’s Part B “incident to” billing rule found at 42 CFR 410.26. The amended regulatory language becomes effective on January 1, 2016.

Continue Reading Medicare “Incident To” Billing – CY 2016 Clarifications

State plans must consider impact of provider rates on beneficiary access

US Supreme Court says providers cannot challenge Medicaid payment rates in a court of law

Physicians under Iowa’s Medicaid program consistently provide quality medical care to our State’s 560,000 Medicaid beneficiaries despite payment rates that, according to the Iowa Medical Society, are nearly the same as rates paid to physicians in 2000. IA Health Link requires Medicaid’s four contracted managed care organizations (MCOs) to pay physicians no less than the Medicaid fee-for-service rates in effect on July 1, 2015; Medicaid-enrolled providers who do not sign with an MCO suffer a 10% out-of-network reduction in payment rates. In 2016, physicians again will petition the Iowa General Assembly for a Medicaid rate increase, an ask that may be at odds with the substantial cost-savings goal of IA Health Link.

Continue Reading CMS REQUIRES MEDICAID PROGRAMS ACCESS MONITORING PLANS BY JULY 1, 2016

On Monday, August 17, 2015, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a Notice of Intent to Award contracts to four (4) bidders to serve as contractors under the Iowa Medicaid Modernization initiative. Those selected are: Amerigroup Iowa, Inc.; AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, Inc.; and Wellcare of Iowa, Inc.  DHS’ announcement stated that these four entities demonstrated abilities to manage care provided to Medicaid beneficiaries under this risk-based approach to Iowa’s Medicaid program. This new initiative has been named IA Health Link and is slated for implementation effective January 1, 2016.

Iowa Medicaid currently serves approximately 560,000 Iowans. DHS states that Iowa Medicaid program costs have grown 73 percent since 2003. “Starting January 1, these experienced MCOs [managed care organizations] are positioned to help us achieve savings at a time when there is an ever growing demand on our state’s medical assistance program,” DHS Director Chuck Palmer stated.

Information about the Iowa Medicaid Modernization initiative is available from DHS at http://dhs.iowa.gov/ime/about/initiatives/MedicaidModernization. To help prepare its physician members for this major transition, the Iowa Medical Society has developed a webinar and other educational resources available through its website at www.iowamedical.org.

Iowa Behavioral Health Association Hosts Jeanine Freeman & Paul Drey

HIPAA presentations for IBHA by Paul Drey, Jeanine Freeman
Paul Drey, Jeanine Freeman present HIPAA education to Iowa Behavioral Health Association.

 

On July 23rd the Iowa Behavioral Health Association (IBHA), Iowa’s statewide association of substance use disorder agencies, addiction treatment programs and community mental health centers, hosted prominent health care attorneys Paul Drey and Jeanine Freeman of the Brick Gentry Law Firm to provide training on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

This educational session centered around HIPAA requirements and regulations, new updates to the law, and its intersection with 42 CFR, the regulation governing substance use related health information.

Ms. Freeman and Mr. Drey answered questions from the audience, presented information and resources on compliance and best practices, and offered valuable insights from their own experiences. Participants clarified issues through lively discussion. Attendees left the session feeling confident and empowered in their understanding of HIPAA and its implementation and enforcement in their own organizations.

Upon generously contributing this photograph and information, Kelsey Clark, Interim Executive Director of the Iowa Behavioral Health Association, added, “IBHA very much appreciates Mr. Drey and Ms. Freeman providing this session and looks forward to future endeavors with these top notch legal experts.”

If your association or practice group could benefit from a customized presentation on healthcare law topics, we invite you to contact Paul Drey to discuss your needs and scheduling.  We appreciate the efforts of the healthcare community and stand ready to assist.