Additional Stimulus Funds Available
HHS announced $20 billion in new funding for providers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. HHS stated that providers who received Provider Relief Fund payments can apply for additional funding. Providers can begin applying for funds TODAY and the application period lasts through November 6th.
Learn more from HHS' full press release.
NCCI Edits Reminder
CMS has reinstated many of the procedure-to-procedure edits, which are more commonly known as the National Correct Coding Initiative Edits (NCCI edits). This rule was actually deleted earlier this year, however, it is effective again NOW for PT, OT and speech outpatient therapy services.
Some popular CPT codes that it impacts are:
Therapeutic activities
Aquatic therapy
Biofeedback codes
Evaluation codes
Manual therapy
The full list of CPT codes is available at CMS.
UHC Cost-Sharing Update
UnitedHealthcare is expanding cost share waivers for their Medicare Advantage and Individual and Group Market health plans for COVID-19 Treatment:
Individual and Group Market health plans: Cost share waivers (copay, coinsurance and deductible) for in-network COVID-19 treatment are extended through Dec. 31, 2020. Out-of-network cost share waivers will end Oct. 22, 2020. Implementation for self-funded customers may vary.
Medicare Advantage: Cost share waivers (copay, coinsurance and deductible) for COVID-19 treatment are extended through Dec. 31, 2020. This applies to in-network and covered out-of-network COVID-19 treatment.
For more details on telehealth billing guidance and provider type eligibility, visit UHC.
Deadline to Submit Comments to CMS on Payment Cuts
The deadline for comments is TODAY to fight the proposed 9% cut in payment for physical therapy services that is scheduled to begin on Jan. 1.
It only takes 60 seconds to submit comments so we encourage you to do so through APTA's link.