CMS Releases Calendar Year 2021 HOPPS Final Rule
On December 2 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2021 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) final rule. Key provisions affecting otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons include: facility payment for the new eustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) codes, prior…
AAO-HNS Comments on CY 2021 HOPPS Final Rule
On January 4 the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services on the Calendar Year 2021 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center (HOPPS) final rule. In response to AAO-HNS advocacy and stakeholder comments received…
CMS Releases Revised 2021 Physician Fee Schedule Conversion Factor
On January 7 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced modifications to the calendar year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) based on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law on December 27. Cumulative changes included in the Act result in an…
AAO-HNS Releases Summary of Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute Final Rules
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued two new regulations, which took effect on January 19, that have implications for otolaryngologists and their patients. The final rules include one issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addressing changes to the Stark law…
AAO-HNS Continues Medicare Advocacy Efforts on Payment for PPE
On February 1 the AAO-HNS submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding its interim final policy on coding and payment for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other infection control costs during the COVID-19 public health emergency…
Phillips Recall of PAP Devices
On June 14, 2021, Phillips issued a voluntary recall notification of positive air pressure (PAP) and ventilator devices. The recall applies to all Phillips devices manufactured before April 26, 2021, including the original DreamStation line of CPAP machines. This recall does not apply to the…
Announcing the International Advisory Board (IAB) Chair-elect: Sheng-Po Hao, MD
Sheng-Po Hao, MD, has been selected to become the Chair-elect of the International Advisory Board (IAB). Dr. Hao is professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology of Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital and program director of Otolaryngology in Fu Jen…
Obtaining RVUs for a CPT Code
AMA CPT and RUC Processes AMA CPT Editorial Review Process Did you ever wonder how CPT codes are created and how the code set is maintained? View this section of the AMA website that provides a brief overview and history of CPT, the process of…
The Laryngectomee Guide
By Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc The Laryngectomee Guide has been made available on www.entnet.org for patients and physicians by author and laryngectomee, Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc. The guide provides practical information to assist laryngectomees and their caregivers in dealing with medical, dental…
AAO-HNS/F Strategic Plan: Updated April 2021
Our Strategic Plan sets the overall direction of the organization by defining specific goals and objectives that guide resource management.…
