February 2016
Welcome to the February ATS Coding and Billing Quarterly. This issue covers new and revised codes for 2016 as well as important CMS clarifications of coding and reimbursement policy.
The good news is CMS has issued a clarification of the LDCT lung cancer screening benefit that makes it clear that any treating physicians (not just primary care physicians) can order LDCT lung cancer screening and provide the shared-decision making service! Members should know that that clarification was issued as a direct result of ATS advocacy on behalf of our members and the patients we serve.
For more information the CMS clarification and the source of the confusion, please see the LDCT Lung Cancer Screening article on page 12. That article also provides “nuts and bolts” information on how to correctly code, bill and document for the LDCT lung cancer screening benefit.
CMS also finalized policy to pay providers for advance care planning services. It appears that with time and patience, the medical community has outlasted the cries of Medicare “death panels” and CMS has finally adopted a policy that will allow physicians to work with their patients to develop end-of-life plans that respect the needs of patients and their families. This issue provides background on the correct use of the new code.
The final 2016 Physician payment rule also sees some reimbursement increases and decreases in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine services. This issue will lay out the winners and losers and provide some background information for the changes in the reimbursement rates. As always, we welcome your questions on coding, billing and regulatory compliance issues.
Sincerely,
Alan L. Plummer, MD
Editor
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Pulmonary Physicians Can Order Lung Cancer Screening/Provide Shared Decision-Making Service
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Advance Care Planning Available to Medicare Beneficiaries in 2016
- Masthead
