CAH Forum, sponsored by EqualizeRCM, covered CARES Act Funding, Reporting and Audits on December 4, 2020. Darya Khripkova of EqualizeRCM, and Rick Reid of The Rybar Group moderated the session. The forum members, CAH financial administrators, had a detailed discussion about the COVID-19 relief funding reporting, payback requirements, audit requirements, as well as the revenue strategies to adopt moving forward.
Readabout CAH CFO-Administrator Forum: CARES Funds and Audits
CMS and the American Medical Association have announced big changes in E&M coding for 2021. These changes were implemented to help ease the burden of documentation requirements for providers. Currently E&M code selection is on a points-based system consisting of three key components: history, examination and medical decision making. Under the 1995/1997 rules, for each service provided, there is an assigned point value. Simply put, the more points, the higher the level of service. Beginning in 2021, CMS will move from this points-based system to one based primarily on medical necessity. With careful planning, understanding and implementation of the new guidelines, providers can now focus more of their time on actual patient care.
Readabout Evaluation and Management (E&M) Coding Changes for 2021
Today, on National Rural Health Day, we want to say a special “Thank You” for all you do! From providing healthcare to patients to employing local citizens, you play a crucial role in your communities. This year has been especially trying for rural health. Not only have you helped patients in the face of COVID, but you dealt with the risk of being on the front lines, and many of you even lent a hand to larger, nearby facilities. Thank you for all that you are doing.
Readabout Happy National Rural Health Day
One key to success in the COVID-19 environment is to retool staff and processes to address key issues in revenue cycle. Community Health Centers that not only succeed, but thrive, will find new ways to engage patients. COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of Telemedicine, and many are adding new lines of business such as Chronic Care Management. Some Community Health Centers are turning towards new technologies that reduce revenue leakage by identifying patients that are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other payors. While our environment has changed, Community Health Centers that find alternate sources of income and improve processes will continue to thrive.
Readabout Impact of COVID-19 on Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers (CHC) are eligible for reimbursement for the testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients who are uninsured. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Relief Fund appropriated $1 billion to reimburse providers for conducting COVID-19 testing for the uninsured; and the Provider Relief Fund appropriated additional funds to reimburse providers for treating uninsured individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has contracted with the UnitedHealth Group to pay for these services generally at Medicare rates for eligible services rendered on or after February 4, 2020.
Readabout COVID-19 Reimbursement for Uninsured Patients
One of the most important components of your facility’s financial health is the Chargemaster. With the COVID-19 environment and the upcoming regulatory requirements, the Chargemaster is one of the critical tools that you can better utilize in your business office to drive your critical access hospital’s revenue cycle management.
Readabout The Role of the Chargemaster (CDM) in CAH’s Revenue Cycle Management – vlog
EqualizeRCM offers best practices to boost cash collections and reduce overall costs for critical access hospitals (CAHs) in the face of COVID-19 – or at any time.
Readabout Manage Costs and Boost Cash Collections for Critical Access Hospitals – vlog
For everyone involved in healthcare finances, it is important to understand the red flags in revenue cycle management. For all healthcare providers , revenue cycle is a key cog in cash flow and financial health. However, monitoring a providers’ financial performance by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) is not a skill set that everyone needs to master.
Readabout What are the Red Flags in Revenue Cycle Performance?
As the COVID-19 spread continues to develop further, many hospitals and health systems projected adverse financial impacts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. With all of us battling the COVID-19 situation, we at EqualizeRCM are working to identify how we can best support and help you in these challenging and evolving times.
Readabout Managing Costs and Boosting Cash Collections During COVID-19 Outbreak – vlog