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Posted On: November 20, 2020 by VGM Government Relations in: COVID-19, PPP
Many of you attended a series of VGM webinars earlier this year where Craig Douglas and Mark Higley offered information about qualifying, application procedures, documenting use of funds, and applying for forgiveness. Mark also commented on the taxation...
November 20, 2020
Many of you attended a series of VGM webinars earlier this year where Craig Douglas and Mark Higley offered information about qualifying, application procedures, documenting use of funds, and applying for forgiveness. Mark also commented on the taxation issue and, at the time, the interpretation of the Treasury Department. The purpose of this update is to inform you that the IRS has clarified the deductibility of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan expenses.
But...
November 5, 2020
Categories: CMS, Competitive Bidding
There are many aspects of competitive bidding, and there are both positives and negatives to the decisions CMS decided to take in Round 2021.
In VGM’s conversations with, and in comment letters submitted to CMS leading up to their recent decision, our requests always included the following components:
Delay competitive bidding (this made sense from a demand and any-willing-provider standpoint) Continue the blended rates for rural and non-rural non-CBA areas,...October 29, 2020
Categories: Competitive Bidding
Join VGM Government Relations for a webinar this Monday, November 2 at 2 p.m. CT, which will include information about the latest announcement regarding Competitive Bidding Round 2021.
Round 2021 Competitive Bidding is canceled EXCEPT for knee and back braces. Register today and get the information you need to know!
Click here to register.
October 28, 2020
October 27, 2020
Categories: CMS, Competitive Bidding
The following is an excerpt from the offical “CMS Round 2021 DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Single Payment Amounts and Contract Offers” announcment.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) competed 16 product categories in 130 competitive bid areas (CBAs) in Round 2021 of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP), although the product category for non-invasive ventilators was removed...
October 19, 2020
Categories: Competitive Bidding
The upcoming webinar “Competitive Bidding Round 2021 - Moving Forward with Uncertainty,” scheduled on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 1 – 2:30 p.m., is being postponed to a later date. Our government and regulatory team anticipated some movement in implementation – or at least an update from CMS or the CBIC contractor – by this date.
Somewhat surprisingly, there has been none. The official timeline suggested a “Summer 2020” release of the single...
October 16, 2020
Categories: Reimbursement
Both Jurisdictions B and C CGS Medicare issued an update on October 15th related to the MUE claims processing alert. Read their article below for details:
Jurisdiction B & C News from CGSMUE Claim Alert Issue - Claims in Process September 22-26
ANSI Reason Code: CO-151 ANSI Remark Code: MA01 HCPCS Codes Impacted: Multiple
Some claims may have processed against Medically Unlikely Edit (MUE) values incorrectly. The MUE files were incorrect in our system on...
October 14, 2020
Categories: General
Over twenty HME suppliers attended the virtual visit today with our industry champ, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The event was hosted by Norco, PAMES, AAHomecare, Pride, and VGM.
Attendees had the opportunity to address issues regarding budget neutrality (H.R.8158) and rural reimbursement (H.R.2771) legislation, which would delay the competitive bid program and telehealth.
Everyone was able to express their sincere thanks to her...
October 14, 2020
Categories: General, Reimbursement
Have you heard that effective November 12, 2020, both the enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition local coverage determination (LCD) and related policy articles (PA) are retiring? The DME MACs, CGS, and Noridian Medicare released the news on October 12.
What does this mean for you?
For claims with dates of service (DOS) prior to Nov. 12, 2020, the LCD is applicable.
For claims with DOS on or after Nov. 12, 2020, refer to the National Coverage...
October 13, 2020
Categories: Reimbursement
CGS Administrators recently sent out a news alert for Jurisdictions B and C. They aware of a claim payment issue in which some claims may have applied Medically Unlikely Edit (MUE) values incorrectly on the dates September 23, 2020 and September 24, 2020 only. Claims may have paid or denied in error as a result. CGS is correcting this issue and has indicated that it is a number 1 priority with them. For more information, watch Ronda’s vlog. To view CGS’s original announcement,...
