The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing reliance on telehealth and other virtual forms of patient interaction. However, under the current billing structure, orthotists and prosthetists are unable to submit claims for certain Medicare services despite being considered essential providers. Key members of Congress are currently circulating a letter to be sent to Secretary […]
AOPA staff recently participated in educational webinars presented by the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) and on DME MAC provider advisory councils during which they confirmed that physicians, including MDs and DOs that are certifying the medical need for diabetic shoes may utilize telehealth to fulfill face-to-face encounter requirements during the COVID-19 […]
As part of the CARES Act, Congress established a Provider Relief Fund, with $50 billion allocated to Medicare facilities and providers impacted by COVID-19 and based on eligible providers’ 2018 net patient revenue. Many AOPA member received funding when the initial $30 billion was distributed between April 10 and 17. Late last week, the Department […]
Yesterday, April 26, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is re-evaluating payments made to Medicare Part A providers through the recently expanded Accelerated Payment Program and suspending the Advance Payment Program for Medicare Part B providers effective immediately. The Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program (AAP) is a longstanding […]
Among many other financial stipulations, the CARES Act, signed into law late last month, provides $100 billion to certain healthcare providers, including O&P providers. To expedite providers getting money as quickly as possible, $30 billion is being distributed beginning TODAY, April 10, proportionate to providers’ share of Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements in 2019. All facilities and […]
As part of its ongoing efforts to provide relief during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded the Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program to temporarily increase cash flow for impacted providers. The program, which has been in existence for many years, is “intended to provide […]
This is an update to the April 2, 2020 announcement, where AOPA informed you that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have suspended most Medicare fee-for-service medical review activity for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). AOPA has confirmed that CMS, effective immediately, will also not be sending out any […]
In response to the declaration of a public health emergency (PHE) due to COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended most Medicare fee-for-service medical review activity (audits) for the duration of the PHE. The suspension of audits includes pre-payment reviews by the DME MACs under the Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) […]
On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced several temporary regulatory waivers intended “to equip the American health care system with maximum flexibility to respond to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.” Included in the announcement was a notice that CMS will pause the national DMEPOS prior authorization program […]
AOPA has received questions and concerns from members about CMS guidance regarding replacement of DMEPOS during COVID-19. To address these questions and concerns, AOPA has been in contact with the DME MACs to discuss actions that they will take to implement the provisions of these emergency-based waivers. During a recent presentation the DME MACs addressed […]
