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2017 brings big changes to the ophthalmic practice environment
KOLOA, Hawaii — There are multiple changes to the practice management aspect of ophthalmology coming in 2017, Kevin J. Corcoran, COE, CPC, CPMA, FNAO, president of Corcoran Consulting Group, explained here at Hawaiian Eye 2017.
Global surgical packages will be reviewed closely by CMS as part of new MACRA legislation, beginning with practitioners in nine states being asked to report every time one is done beginning in July, he said.
Kevin Corcoran
There have been some significant code revisions this year as well, including a new code for insertion of the Xen gel stent (Allergan), code 0449T, and code 92242, which allows for use of fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography “in the same eye at the same time,” he said. Removed this year is code 92140, which allowed for provocative glaucoma testing, with interpretation and report, without tonography.
“The feeling was this was an abused code used inappropriately so they struck it from the book. It’s simply gone,” Corcoran said.
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, was a change to HCPCS modifier JW, which is now broader in regard to single vials of drugs, Corcoran said.
“For example, a vial with this much drug, if used in two different patients or used partially and the rest disposed of, that’s the topic we are talking about,” he said. “Get ready to report discarded drugs...You’re going to want to get that one right.”
A new 60-day rule aimed at speeding up the overpayment process has also taken effect.
“If you have money that’s sitting on the books as a credit, or you’ve been notified of an overpayment, that is not something you should dawdle with,” Corcoran said. “You’ve got 60 days to deal with it.”
In terms of possible audits, oculoplastics, cataract surgery and intravitreal injections are the top three areas where ophthalmologists are vulnerable, Corcoran said.
“[In] those three areas, you’re going to want to make sure your ducks are in a row,” he added.
The single biggest change in 2017, according to Corcoran, is in quality reporting and preparing for the new Merit-based Incentive Payment System.
“You’re going to want to have your 2016 submissions by the first quarter. You still have time to avoid the 2% reduction if you’re paying attention,” he said. “You’ve got 3 months to get it right.” – by Rebecca Forand
Reference:
Corcoran K. What’s new in 2017. Presented at: Hawaiian Eye; Jan. 14-20, 2017; Koloa, Hawaii.
Disclosure: Corcoran reports no relevant financial disclosures.