Anyone who uses modifier 59 needs to be aware that due to problems with the incorrect usage of this modifier (which by the way is also revised for 2015,) CMS has added four new HCPCS modifiers. An announcement by CMS stated that “CMS is establishing four new HCPCS modifiers to define subsets of the -59 […]

Reminder: November 30 Deadline for EHR Incentive Program Hardship Exception Applications To Avoid 2015 Medicare Reimbursement Payment Reductions  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reopened the submission period for hardship exception applications for eligible professionals to avoid the 2015 Medicare payment adjustments for not demonstrating meaningful use of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) for the Electronic […]

The ACA was recently notified that the Office of Inspector General (OIG)* is currently conducting a nationwide review of the chiropractic profession. Doctors of chiropractic have received letters requesting records for services provided during calendar year 2013. It is critical that all doctors of chiropractic who receives a letter from the OIG responds with the […]

Court Grants Class Standing to Out-of-Network Providers in UHC/Optum Lawsuit DCs subjected to UHC/Optum’s improper practices should contact ACA with information The federal court presiding over pending action against UnitedHealthcare (UHC)/Optum for inappropriate repayment demands will now allow providers, including doctors of chiropractic, who are outside of United’s network to seek relief on a class-wide […]

NCHM 2014:  Conservative Care First! Hosted by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) is a national public awareness and education campaign held each October. NCHM strives to teach health care consumers about the benefits of chiropractic services and to promote the expertise of doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in helping their patients […]

In January 2013, the HIPAA Omnibus Final Rule was published in the Federal Register. While the initial compliance date for most components of the Final Rule was Sept. 23, 2014, Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) did not have to be updated until the existing agreement expired or by Sept. 22, 2015–the final compliance date. If providers have not already updated their […]

Two critical deadlines are coming up next week related to the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. Tuesday, July 1, is the last day that first time participants can begin their 90-day reporting period of meaningful use (MU) in order to avoid the Medicare payment adjustment that will begin on Jan. 1, 2015 AND to qualify for up to […]

On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued notification regarding updates to the 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB) that will go into effect on July 1, 2014. Included in the updates were new fees for Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT) codes 98940, 98941, and 98942. Following the completion of the Chiropractic […]

On May 20, HHS published a new proposed rule that would provide eligible professionals (EPs) more flexibility in how they use certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) to meet meaningful use. Recognizing that many software vendors are having a difficult time making the necessary changes to get their EHR products certified and then getting their […]

ACA’s Insurance Relations Department has received many calls from providers regarding Aetna claims denied and appealed for services represented with CPT 97140 with CMT. In an effort to assist each clinic in finding a resolution, ACA has developed a helpful Aetna-specific resource, How to File a Claim or Submit an Appeal, which is free to members. The […]

National Quality Forum Appointment Follows ACA Nomination   Arlington, Va.—The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is pleased to announced that John Ventura, DC, DABCO, has been appointed by the National Quality Forum (NQF) to serve as a member of its Musculoskeletal Steering Committee for the Musculoskeletal Measure Endorsement and Maintenance Project. The NQF is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan, membership-based […]

EHR Incentive Program: Waiting Doesn’t PAY! Only 22 Weeks Left to Quality for up to $24,000 Only 12 Weeks Left for 1st Time Participants to Begin MU and Avoid the 2015 Payment Adjustment Dear Breakthrough Coaching Member: Time is running out! Take advantage of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program now and you could still be […]

Does the Security Rule mandate minimum operating system requirements for the personal computer systems used by a covered entity? Answer: No. The Security Rule was written to allow flexibility for covered entities to implement security measures that best fit their organizational needs. The Security Rule does not specify minimum requirements for personal computer operating systems, […]

Three congressional committees reached an agreement today on the policy parameters of a bill to reform how Medicare pays physicians–including doctors of chiropractic–but they have not yet decided on how to pay for the replacement. The deal reached by the Senate Finance Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Ways and Means Committee represents […]

The Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program was designed in three steps with increasing requirements for participation. Originally, all providers needed to begin participating by meeting the Stage 1 requirements for a continuous 90-day period in their first year of meaningful use (MU) and a full year in their second year of meaningful use. […]

The Washington Post yesterday posted on its website an article on neck manipulation and stroke (“How Safe Are the Vigorous Neck Manipulations Done by Chiropractors?”). The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has drafted a response that will be shared with theWashington Post editors today. ACA has also posted an ad on its website home page and […]

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) will be listed equally with other types of physicians and will no longer have any limitations attached to their definition of physician under the 2014 Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Service Benefit Plan, as authorized by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) law. BCBS Federal Employee Plan (FEP) has announced […]

This afternoon the Senate passed the House bi-partisan budget bill which contains a three month Medicare SGR reimbursement patch and a three month extension of the therapy cap exceptions process. It postpones the pending 2014 20% cut in Medicare reimbursement and instead contains a 0.5% increase through March 31. The President has indicated he will […]

Recent news indicates that CMS may delay implementation of electronic health record (EHR) requirements for the stage 2 and stage 3 meaningful use incentive programs. To date, 60 percent of providers have begun utilizing EHR meaningful use. Doctors of chiropractic have a considerably lower percentage. I have been told that $50 million has been provided […]