Supporting virtual patient care
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Congress swiftly enacted telehealth service waivers to allow physicians to care for their patients virtually…
Correction: When to count tests for E/M coding based on MDM
There has been a great deal of confusion regarding how to count tests/procedures for purposes of coding office visits based on medical decision making (MDM), a…
More clarification of 2022 proposed fee schedule
New Medicare billing rights for physician assistantsBeginning Jan. 1, 2022, physician assistants (PAs) will be able to bill Medicare independently for their se…
What’s new at the College’s House of Delegates
A key component of the College’s House of Delegates’ strategic plan was to develop a network of allergists throughout the United States. This program is off to…
Medicare publishes proposed rates for 2022
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its proposed 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule on July 13, 2021. During 2021, because of a Co…
Patients’ plans don’t cover allergy services? How to help
Recently, a College member reached out to us about a patient’s health care plan that no longer covers allergy related services like skin testing and allergen i…
More E/M coding direction
The 2020 physician fee schedule finalized changes in evaluation and management (E/M) codes that became effective Jan. 1, 2021. It quickly became evident from p…
Need guidance on E/M codes based on time?
The 2020 physician fee schedule finalized changes in evaluation and management (“E/M”) codes that became effective Jan.1, 2021. It quickly became evident from …
No Surprises Act Update
On June 8, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) began reviewing the regulation that will implement key details of the No Surprises Act. OMB re…
2020 MIPS cost category to be reweighted to zero
Did you or your practice participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2020? If so, read on. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Servic…
Apply for MIPS COVID-19 Exceptions
Are you required to participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2021? If so, you can opt out and avoid a potential 9% penalty by completi…
Advocacy, networking and more
The College’s House of Delegates is here for you -- our members -- to collect and disseminate local, regional and state policy intel to the Advocacy Council so…
Cost measure could directly impact allergists
On March 11, the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) announced it does not recommend the Asthma/COPD Episode-Based Cost Measure for inclusion in the Merit-b…
Your advocacy connection
If you’re from the Southeastern part of the country, take part in the region’s House of Delegates town hall meeting. It’s your opportunity to discuss nonclinic…
Taking a stand on allergy blood testing
The College’s Advocacy Council submitted comments to the chairs of the Committee of Jurisdiction opposing S. 701 – Allergy Testing Access Act of 2021 – sponsor…
Information blocking requirements now in effect
Beginning April 5, health care providers (including allergy practices) and electronic health record (EHR) vendors must comply with the Office of the National C…
Allergy practice pleads guilty
A private, solo practitioner allergy practice recently pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to pay the government over $2 million in civil penalties f…
New rules for emotional support animals
Since January, airlines are no longer required to transport emotional support animals – a change in policy that will likely reduce the overall number of potent…
New OIT Coding Recommendations
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology provide this guidance on coding for FDA appro…
AAP payments may begin in April
Early in the pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offered Medicare providers loans, based on past Medicare billing, to help strugglin…
