CPT Adds a Modifier for Audio-Only TeleMedicine Encounters At the September 2021 CPT Editorial Panel Meeting, a new Modifier was accepted to describe real-time telemedicine services between a patient and a physician or other qualified health care professional rendered via audio only. This new modifier is effective January 1, 2022. Synchronous telemedicine service is defined as...

ISASS Continues Advocacy for Physician Involvement and Implementation Delay with VA Billing and Payment Process On December 16, 2021, ISASS and several medical societies signed a letter urging the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to “establish a transparent process that allows for internal and external stakeholder involvement in the Supremacy Project” and to delay the implementation...

Stakeholders File Lawsuit Over Fair Payment Dispute Resolution for Surprise Medical Bills A lawsuit filed on December 8, 2021, by a coalition of stakeholders representing hospitals, health systems, and physicians sued the federal government today over the misguided implementation of the federal surprise billing law. The lawsuit challenges a narrow but critical provision of a...

Federal Legislation Averts Severe Physician Reimbursement Reductions in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2022 Looming Medicare spending cuts that would have resulted in a combined 9.75% payment cut for physician practices on January 1, 2022, have been averted as a result of the passage of the Protecting Medicare & American Farmers from Sequester Cuts...