ASC Coding, Billing & Collections

CMS has added nine newly created HCPCS codes that will be added to the ASC list of covered ancillary services effective July 1.

CMS has added six newly created HCPCS codes that will be added to the ambulatory surgery center list of covered surgical procedures effective July 1.

The Department of Health and Human Services is attempting to increase enrollment in the Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan by reducing premiums and making application requirements less stringent, according to an American Medical News report.

Employee contributions to employer-sponsored health insurance increased by approximately 121 percent from 2001-2009, far outpacing premium costs, according to a MedPage Today report.

Health insurer Blue Shield of California plans to cut premiums by 2.5 percent for many policyholders this year, according to an LA Times report.

A Washington state law signed May 11 aims to increase transparency around insurance premium increases, according to a News Tribune report.

In a presentation at the 9th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 9, Thomas J. Bombardier, MD, FACS, principal and founder, ASCOA, discussed considerations for ASCs in regards to whether in-network or out-of-network status…

Medicaid will stop paying reimbursing states for providing medical care for provider-preventable events, including healthcare-acquired conditions, effective July 1, according to a CMIO report.

Health insurer WellPoint announced Wednesday it plans to buy CareMore, a California company that provides Medicare Advantage plans, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.

Connecticut Rep. John Larson and state surgery center leaders spoke out in support of the recently introduced Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2011 in a report from The Connecticut Mirror.