A Medicare beneficiary may choose to receive hospice care after a doctor certifies that they are terminally ill, meaning they have a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Patients who choose hospice care agree to comfort care (palliative care) instead of care to cure their illness. These patients sign a statement indicating that they […]
What is Preventing You From Dispensing Wound Care Supplies In Your Office?
As a consultant, I often hear excuses as to why doctors are not dispensing wound care supplies in their offices. Set up the proper protocols and train your staff. By using proper protocols and training your MA’s and staff, they will know when a patient qualifies for wound care supplies and when they do not. […]
Choosing The Right Dressings: When to Select Hydrocolloid
Dispensing surgical dressings in your office can improve outcomes, patient satisfaction, and can result in tremendous profits. The main surgical dressings that can be dispensed include: Collagen Foam Calcium Alginate Hydrogel Gauze Hydrocolloid Compression Garments With many options, it can be difficult to select the best option. In last week’s blog, we looked closely at AMERIGEL® […]
Preparing for Another Shutdown?
COVID-19 has brought different challenges and opportunities to clinical practices. As the COVID-19 numbers start to surge, shutdowns are becoming a reality again. Is your practice ready? While none of us want another shut down, now is the best time to prepare with these 3 simple steps: Do your patients know that you do virtual […]
Choosing The Right Dressings: When to Select Hydrogel
Dispensing surgical dressings in your office can improve outcomes, patient satisfaction, and can result in tremendous profits. The main surgical dressings that can be dispensed include: Collagen Foam Calcium Alginate Hydrogel Gauze Hydrocolloid Compression Garments With many options, it can be difficult to select the best option. In last month’s blog, we looked closely at […]
CMS Form 1500: Is Box 17 Correct on YOUR Forms?
One of the most common errors I see when auditing wound care and DME billing is found in box 17 on the CMS 1500 form. This is the box that lists the referring, supervising or prescribing physician. Many electronic health record (EHR) programs automatically fill in this information with the referring physician (aka the primary […]
SPECIAL NOTICE: Calcium Alginate – Now a Primary OR Secondary Dressing
Last week, the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DMEMACs) made a change to their joint Surgical Dressing Local Coverage Article (LCA) that states calcium alginate can serve as either a primary dressing or a secondary dressing. Prior to this change calcium alginate could only serve as a primary dressing. This change is effective now.
Facing Medicare Advancement Repayments?
Many physicians took out loans using the CMS Advance Payment Program during Covid-19. In the coming months, this money will begin to be deducted from your reimbursements. Originally, this was supposed to be repaid as a 100% deduction but, due to new regulations, this has been reduced to 25%. 25% is still a large amount […]
Choosing the Right Dressings: When to Select Foam
Dispensing surgical dressings in your office improves outcomes, improves patient satisfaction, and can result in tremendous profits. The main surgical dressings that can be dispensed include: Collagen Foam Calcium Alginate Hydrogel Gauze Hydrocolloid Compression Garments With so many to choose from, it can be difficult to select the best option. In the first of this […]
How Often Should I Perform Wound Evaluations?
AMERX Health Care provides extensive and detailed guidance to the AMERX Network of Physicians. This guidance covers compliance when dispensing surgical dressings and includes documentation requirements. Many providers are comfortable with the documentation that is required when initially dispensing surgical dressings. However, it is just as important to be comfortable with the regulations regarding the […]