The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY2014 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment – Final Rule on Wednesday November 27th 2013. The final rule increases overall payments for hospital outpatient departments by an estimated 1.7%. Payment for multiple items and outpatient services were combined into a single payment. Items include drugs, biologics, and radio-pharmaceuticals that function as supplies. GIRS is reviewing the important changes in payment for our clients’ medical technologies in the hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center settings of care. If you need assistance with the review of the CY2014 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment – Final Rule, please contact GIRS at info@girsinc.com. The CY2014 Final Rule Payment Rate addenda and wage index files are available on the CMS website at: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/HospitalOutpatientPPS/index.html

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also released the 2014 HCPCS codes. Some of our clients’ drug, devices, and biologics were assigned new HCPCS codes. We are currently reviewing this document for the implications of the 2014 coding decisions and updating Billing Guides for our clients’ medical technologies with 2014 codes and billing guidance. This information also will be used to update our medical technology hotline services tools to assist accounts in 2014 with updated coding and billing advice. If your company needs assistance with the review of the 2014 HCPCS codes, development or updating of 2014 Billing Guides, or assistant with setting up a medical technology hotline service to assist accounts with suggested coding and billing advice, please contact GIRS at info@girsinc.com.