Compliance
CMS Skips Another Year on the MCMG
Health plans are wondering “where are my updated Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG)?” For the second consecutive year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stated that there will be no updated MCMG for CY2021. Instead, plans are instructed to use the existing MCMG and related memos from CY2020. How will changes be…
Read MoreCODY Launches CodySoft Appeals and Grievances Module
The new CodySoft Module is part of an enterprise-wide solution to help health plans manage critical aspects of CMS compliance and reporting. TAMPA, Fla. (May 5, 2020) – CODY®, a Tampa, Fla.-based technology provider and consulting firm, has announced a new addition to its CodySoft® toolkit for health plans. The Appeals and Grievances Module® is…
Read MoreSharing Protected Health Information (PHI)
Dude, where’s my flying car Electronic Medical Record/Electronic Health Record (EMR/EHR)? The year is 1989, and the panel discussion focuses on electronic medical records. One panelist expresses concern about the vulnerability of such a system: imagine if someone walked by with a high-powered magnet. A more forward-thinking panelist remarks that the same thing would happen…
Read MoreTips for CPE Audit Tracer Evaluations
CPE Audit Tracer Presentations continue to be a hot button for plan sponsors. CMS auditors frequently find compliance and operational deficiencies through the tracer process. Since the Compliance Officer is responsible for the management of tracer presentations, it is crucial that the Compliance Program employs strict protocols for the development of the tracer presentations and…
Read MoreAn Advance Look at Medicare Advantage Benefits Changes for CY2020
Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updates its Plan Benefit Package (PBP) Software that Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans use as part of their bid submissions. The PBP Beta Software is released in late January to allow plans to test and provide feedback before the full version is available…
Read MoreShould Your Health Plan Consider Outsourcing Development of its Member Marketing Materials?
The annual creation of CMS required collateral materials such as Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) is a complicated process. Many health plans are not aware of how complex these documents can be and fail to dedicate the proper resources. There are several things a plan should consider when deciding whether…
Read More4 ways to reduce – or eliminate – errors in your ANOCs and EOCs
The accuracy of Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) documents is an important requirement for all health plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) takes errors in these documents very seriously and penalties are given to health plans that distribute documents with errors. CMS recently announced changes to the…
Read More3 Keys to a Successful Compliance Program
Complying with state and federal rules and regulations is a challenging endeavor. It requires health plans to manage a slew of different processes and resources. Missteps pose risks that could result in compliance violations, fines and a drop on CMS’s Five Star Quality Ratings. Some of the most difficult areas to manage, from a compliance…
Read MoreHow to Avoid FDR Oversight Issues in a CMS CPE Audit
First Tier, Downstream or Related Entity (FDR) Oversight continues to be a hot topic for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and plan sponsors. CMS auditors annually find deficiencies in FDR oversight and monitoring activities in program audits, with poor oversight of FDRs trending as a common condition in yearly audits. Many plan…
Read More6 Traits of a Great Consulting Partner
In the world of Medicare and Medicaid, choosing a consulting partner to help streamline your health plan’s operations can be tricky. While a company or individual may be well-versed in best practices for project management or operational efficiency, they may not understand the unique requirements of the payer market – making them less than effective…
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