News and noteworthy information for August 2016: Data Collection on Surgical Global Periods Patient Relationship Categories and Codes Anthem Coverage Policy Update – Cervical Total Disc Arthroplasty Multi-Society Letter to CMS – Refinement Panel ICD-10 “Grace Period” Flexibility Ends October 1 Opioid Letter from U.S. Surgeon General Maintenance of Skills Survey   Data Collection on...

ISASS recently signed on to a multi-society letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) strongly recommending reinstatement of the Refinement Panel as a formal appeals process to review public comments, hear directly from practicing physicians, and independently recommend refinements to the values assigned to procedure codes. In 2011, CMS changed the focus...

As part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to establish patient relationship categories and codes in order to evaluate the resources used to treat patients. The ISASS Payment Models Subcommittee analyzed CMS’ proposal and provided comments to CMS on ways...

News and noteworthy information for July 2016: 2017 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule 2017 Proposed Hospital Outpatient and ASC Rule Update on MACRA Implementation DOJ Sues to Block Health Insurer Mergers ISASS Signs On to Letter in Support of S. 2978 Open Payments Program – 2015 Financial Data Posted FDA Issues Draft Guidance on the Use...