ASC Coding, Billing & Collections

More markets across the country are dominated by one or two health insurance companies, showing that competition in the industry is decreasing, according to a new study by the American Medical Association.

Whether or not broad-based healthcare reform is enacted in the near future, provider payment reform that encourages integration of healthcare delivery has bipartisan support but faces hurdles, said several speakers at a recent National Health Policy Conference co-sponsored by AcademyHealth…

Anthem of Connecticut, a subsidiary of WellPoint, has offered hospitals a wavier that will allow them to participate in the state-subsidized insurance plan without risk of reduced rates from the insurer, according to a report in American Medical News.

Anthem Blue Cross of California has agreed to postpone big rate increases for individual policyholders from March 1 to May 1 so outside actuaries can review its rate proposal, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.

Physician practices should have fewer problems with insurers when verifying coverage or tracking claims under a new Web-based system just launched in New Jersey, according to a release from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Pittsburgh-based Highmark, Pennsylvania's largest Blues-affiliated insurer, is protesting an information request from the state insurance department, saying that the state is overstepping its authority in conducting reviews of the state's four Blues carriers, according to a report in American Medical…

More than 500 physicians participated in a discussion, "FTC - Refusal to accept Medicare pricing = Price Fixing," on Sermo, an online community for physicians, according to a Sermo news release.

Billing is one of the most critical (and often overlooked) processes in the success of every surgery center. Most people involved in directing and operating ASCs know that billing and coding require daily attention to detail, trained staff and a…

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has posted two updated answers in its frequently asked questions section of its Web site related to Condition Code 44 (Inpatient admission changed to outpatient).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made available a file that lists the National Provider Identifier and the name of all physicians and non-physician practitioners who are eligible to order and refer in the Medicare program and who…