Mastering Medicare

Mastering Medicare
Mastering Medicare

What's the difference between Home Health and Home Care? How do Medicare Part A and Part B work? How do you order DME for your patient? When and how should you order home oxygen? What's new in the eldercare space? For physicians, other healthcare professionals, and senior-serving professionals, interacting with Medicare can be complicated and wrought with pitfalls, which, if not understood and managed, will mire your practice in endless paperwork and frustration. We interview industry experts in every aspect of healthcare, from insurance companies, DME companies, home health agencies, medical providers, and many others, to bring you their real world expertise in the American healthcare system. Your hosts are Dr. Amy Schiffman and Dr. Alex Mohseni, two Emergency Medicine physicians who have branched off from traditional Emergency Medicine to explore and build solutions with a particular focus on eldercare and population health. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/602747270479020/ Join our Subscriber List and get exclusive access to our Mastering Medicare Cheat Sheet and other goodies: https://www.masteringmedicare.net/subscribe

  1. 9 OCT.

    Episode 26: DeepScribe: ambient scribing deep dive

    E26: Deep dive into DeepScribe with Dr. Dean Dalili. Introduction: Amy and Alex introduce the episode on AI in healthcare, featuring Dr. Dean Dalili from DeepScribe, an AI-based medical documentation service. Dean's Background: Dr. Dean Dalili shares his journey from internist at Johns Hopkins to Chief Medical Officer at DeepScribe, with a career in hospitalist practice, digital health, and leadership roles. Medical Scribes and Documentation: Discussion on the role of medical scribes, both in-person and AI-based, in reducing physician burnout and streamlining patient care documentation. DeepScribe Overview: DeepScribe uses AI to record and transcribe patient interactions, converting them into medical documentation, saving time, and improving patient engagement. Impact of AI on Healthcare: AI captures more detailed patient information, leading to improved patient outcomes. Physicians can review, edit, and sign off on AI-generated notes. Ambient Intelligence: DeepScribe aims to provide not just transcription but also data-driven insights and decision support for providers. AI’s Potential: Discussion on AI assisting clinicians, not replacing them, by handling documentation and improving diagnostic accuracy. Patient Interaction: AI helps providers maintain eye contact and focus on the patient, improving patient satisfaction and engagement. AI Challenges and Future: Discussion on the evolving role of AI in healthcare, with possibilities for AI taking on more decision-making roles while working alongside physicians. Conclusion: The hosts reflect on the potential of AI to change healthcare workflows, and Dean invites listeners to learn more about DeepScribe and its applications in various healthcare settings.

    53 min
  2. 21 SEPT.

    Episode 25: PACE Program deep dive

    E25: Deep dive into the PACE program with Dr Rob Schreiber and Eric Patzelt from myPlace Health. PACE Overview: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly provides comprehensive care for seniors, allowing them to live in the community rather than nursing homes. Eligibility: Seniors must be 55+, certifiable for nursing home care, and safe in the community with PACE services. Funding: PACE is funded by Medicare, Medicaid, and individual contributions, with high startup costs and a long-term recovery period. Revenue: PACE receives ~$9,500–11,000 PMPM for dual-eligible members and ~$7,000–8,000 for Medicaid-only members, higher than Medicare Advantage. Services Provided: Includes adult day care, primary care, home care, dental, therapy, nutrition, social work, and transportation. Target Demographic: Serves high-need populations with complex health issues and short life expectancy, helping to manage costs and reduce hospitalizations. Coverage: PACE covers all care aspects except direct housing costs unless in a nursing home, where it covers the non-Social Security portion. Handling Health Declines: Provides immediate care and support, including home visits and temporary nursing home placements. Technology Integration: Uses technology for communication, remote monitoring, and data analysis, especially accelerated by COVID-19. Financial Implications: PACE can save money in the long run by reducing hospitalizations and emergency visits, though initial costs are high. Enrollment: Participants can leave voluntarily or be involuntarily disenrolled due to death, loss of coverage, or moving out of the service area. Comparison to Medicare Models: PACE offers an integrated care model distinct from Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, operating on a capitated model. Hospice Care: PACE provides comprehensive end-of-life care, but participants must disenroll from PACE to fully access hospice services. Social Work Role: Social workers in PACE advocate for participants, addressing needs and enhancing care through personal connections. Healthcare Innovation: Models like PACE demonstrate potential for improved care and outcomes, with ongoing support and adaptation crucial for success.

    1 h 4 min
  3. 21/06/2023

    Episode 23: Medicare broker deep dive - interview with Matt Gibson from 90 Days From Retirement

    Introduction of the guest Matt Gibson from 90 Days from Retirement, a platform educating about insurance post-retirement. Discussion about the prevalence of insurance agents buying leads of people turning 65 and how 90 Days from Retirement differs by providing education instead. People turning 65 often receive unsolicited mail and phone calls offering help with Medicare, which can be overwhelming. Explanation that data about people turning 65 is publicly available, and some businesses generate leads by buying and selling this data. Mention of the lack of enforcement of rules against unsolicited phone calls to sell certain Medicare products. Brief explanation of the main products sold by Matt's agency, including Medicare supplement plans also known as Medigap plans. Medicare and Medigap: Medigap plans supplement Medicare by covering deductibles and co-insurance that Medicare doesn't cover. This is one path individuals can take when they start Medicare. Medicare Advantage (Part C): Contrary to Medigap, Medicare Advantage acts as a replacement policy for Medicare. When someone signs up for a Medicare Advantage plan, their Medicare parts A and B are essentially turned off and the responsibility for payment and administration is transferred to the insurer. In exchange, Medicare pays the insurer a monthly fee. Medicare Advantage Plan Payment: Most Advantage plans have zero monthly premium for the individual because the insurer receives payment from Medicare, which can be a substantial sum. Becoming a Medicare Broker: To become a broker, one must be health insurance licensed, contract with specific insurance companies, and pass carrier-specific training and certification. The process can be time-consuming and complex. Commission Structure: Brokers must contract with insurance companies to earn commission. The commission rates are standardized and set by CMS. They do not directly negotiate these commissions but rather work under the structures set by larger field marketing operations (FMOs). Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Part D drug plans are highly regulated, and insurance carriers cannot incentivize brokers to sell more products through bonuses or rewards. When a broker facilitates the signup of a client for an MA plan, their name and broker ID number are included in the application (paper or electronic), enabling the insurance carrier to attribute the commission. Brokers must be certified and part of the network of the plan they are selling. They can't start selling a plan for which they haven't taken certification. The availability of MA plans varies by zip code, influenced by factors such as population and medical resources. Brokers are licensed by state and may not have access to marketing materials or sell plans in states where they are not licensed. If a broker is certified with a limited number of MA plans available in a client's region, they are expected to inform the client about the existence of other plans, even if they don't earn a commission on them. Brokers often have to narrow down the choice of plans based on the client's needs, including preferred doctors, medications, and hospital networks. All telephonic or online consultations have to be recorded, and brokers are required to inform clients that they might not be licensed with every product in the area, even if they are. There were approximately 60,000 complaints to Medicare from call centers in the previous year, likely because brokers were not fully representing all available products in their market. Brokers use tools to compare the cost of medications across carriers and to search for doctors within each carrier's network. However, some carriers choose not to participate with certain tools, requiring brokers to go directly to the carrier's website. The discussion involves health insurance, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, and how insurance agents/brokers operate. The speaker mentions a preference for checking a carrier's site when looking for doctors or

    44 min
  4. 20/06/2023

    Episode 22: Interview with Dr. Marc Gruner from Limber about Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

    Introduction of a new product called Aging Here newsletter Request for subscriptions and feedback for Aging Here Introduction of guest Dr. Marc Gruner from Limber Health Marc's background as a physician and entrepreneur Marc's involvement in creating new CPT codes for RTM Introduction to Limber Health and its solution for improving therapy adherence Explanation of how Limber's app helps monitor and track exercises at home Importance of home exercise therapy for better outcomes Potential for house calls in physical therapy Challenges with traditional paper printouts for home exercises Importance of creating a sustainable lifestyle of exercising at home Average age of patients receiving remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) Problems solved by Limber: confusion, compliance, unnecessary surgeries, cost reduction Frustration as a physician prescribing physical therapy Barriers to successful therapy: cost, time, travel Need for codes to support RTM model Involvement in the development of new RTM codes Importance of a good business model for providers Collaboration with AMA and other stakeholders to develop new codes Importance of filling out forms and persevering through the process Overview of the process for physical therapists using Limber Health Risk stratification and evaluation of patients' pain and function Selection of exercises for patients to do at home through a portal Care navigators reaching out to patients and monitoring their progress Remote monitoring of exercises and tracking pain and function Providers are the buyers and pay for the services Difference between RTM and RPM billing: RTM can be billed by various providers including physical therapists Potential impact on revenue for physical therapists and improved patient outcomes Providers, including physicians, PAs, NPs, and physical therapists, can bill RTM codes Reimbursement for RTM codes varies based on billable milestones achieved Limber and similar companies support providers with technology and clinical services RTM codes can be used in fee-for-service and value-based care models Limber aims to lower total cost of care and improve patient outcomes Maryland offers innovative value-based care models through programs like Equip Providers can sign up for Limber's services through a contract and training process Participating providers may receive shared savings in value-based care models Patients are informed and consent is obtained for remote therapeutic monitoring Patient awareness of risk-taking in value-based care models may vary and can be addressed with the state of Maryland Limber does not have a direct-to-consumer model but works with provider groups in various states Providers using Limber's system can be identified through partnerships and collaborations Compliance with therapy can potentially offset or delay the cost of procedures like knee replacements.

    43 min
  5. 06/06/2023

    Episode 21: CPT Codes and How You Get Paid in Medicare

    Discussion topic: Getting paid through the Medicare system Introduction to CPT codes and HICPICS codes Medicare's payment process for healthcare providers Future guests and topics related to Medicare reimbursement Mention of the Aging Here newsletter and interview opportunities Differentiating between CPT codes and ICD-10 codes History and purpose of CPT codes Explanation of RVUs (Relative Value Units) and how doctors are paid Simplified process of submitting CPT codes to Medicare for payment Potential fraud issues in fee-for-service Medicare Importance of documentation and medical necessity for CPT codes Challenges with lack of comprehensive guidelines for new codes Providers struggle with the interpretation and utilization of CPT codes. Some codes are rarely utilized, while others require expertise to maximize billing. Coding rules can be complex, with restrictions on code combinations and frequency of billing. Providers face the risk of financial penalties or legal consequences for incorrect coding. Medicare is a significant payer and requires compliance with its rules. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants primarily use CPT codes. Modifiers can be used to bill for additional services or special circumstances. Hospice CPT codes exist separately from Part B coding. CPT codes have RVUs (Relative Value Units) that determine payment. RVUs are divided into work RVUs, which assess the labor involved in a procedure. Work RVUs consider time, technical skill, physical effort, mental effort, judgment, and stress. Work RVUs are subject to negotiation and lobbying each year. The conversion factor translates RVUs into payment amounts. The conversion factor is subject to annual adjustments and can significantly impact reimbursement.

    43 min
  6. 31/05/2023

    Episode 20: Medicare Advantage and Delegated Medical Group Deep Dive with Alex Mohseni

    Physicians and other senior-serving professionals trying to operate within the complicated Medicare ecosystem must be constantly learning, as the landscape, rules, tools, and vendors are in constant flux. We interview eldercare and Medicare industry experts, do deep dives into their companies, services, and experiences, and share their stories and insights with you. The Mastering Medicare Podcast is back from a long hiatus caused by both hosts taking W2 jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. During their time away, they learned a lot about the changing landscape of Medicare, especially with the rise of AI and value-based care models. Value-based care was a particular focus in the discussion, with Dr. Mohseni sharing his experiences working at Optum and learning about the value-based care model, particularly within Medicare Advantage. Value-based care is touted as the future care model for the US healthcare system. It aligns incentives for patients, providers, and health plans, reducing waste and delivering more effective care at lower costs. The co-hosts contrasted value-based care with the fee-for-service model, pointing out that value-based care requires all parties to be financially invested in patient outcomes, incentivizing efficiency and effectiveness in care. They also highlighted the importance of collaboration and communication in value-based care, contrasting it with the disjointed nature of fee-for-service care, where different health providers often work in silos. An example of effective communication was shared from Dr. Mohseni’s time at Optum, where real-time notifications were used to coordinate care for patients who arrived at the emergency department, leading to better outcomes for the patients and more efficient care delivery. The speaker expresses curiosity about why the value-based healthcare system isn't prevalent, considering its beneficial aspects, such as better access to specialists and greater collaboration between healthcare providers. Questions are raised regarding the incentives for primary care doctors to transition from the regular fee-for-service model to a more complex value-based model, with no clear motivation at the moment. The discussion mentions gradual efforts by Medicare and CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to encourage a move towards value-based healthcare, through strategies such as upside gain, share upside models, and ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations). The Medicare Advantage (MA) model, which has been fully at risk for some time, is described as an effective example of a value-based system. The complexity of intermediary programs in the fee-for-service model is noted, as many providers either can't understand the rules or choose not to participate due to the complexity. The speaker then elaborates on the workings of MA plans, wherein health plans are paid by the federal government per member per month to take full global risk on a patient for all of their professional medical expenses. These MA plans then delegate this risk to a selected medical group, which then uses the allocated funds to manage the patient's healthcare. The remaining difference between the allocated funds and actual healthcare costs becomes the medical group's profit. This model incentivizes medical groups to keep patients healthy and manage their costs efficiently. The allocation of funds enables medical groups to acquire services like dieticians or care managers, which are often missing in the traditional fee-for-service model. This allows for a more holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare. The conversation discusses a situation where a patient contacts their doctor's office after hours, and rather than being directed to the emergency room, the doctor is willing to solve the issue over the phone. This is because the doctor is being compensated monthly, rather than by individual visits or treatments. It is stated that any company can start a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan and peo

    46 min
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23 notes

À propos

What's the difference between Home Health and Home Care? How do Medicare Part A and Part B work? How do you order DME for your patient? When and how should you order home oxygen? What's new in the eldercare space? For physicians, other healthcare professionals, and senior-serving professionals, interacting with Medicare can be complicated and wrought with pitfalls, which, if not understood and managed, will mire your practice in endless paperwork and frustration. We interview industry experts in every aspect of healthcare, from insurance companies, DME companies, home health agencies, medical providers, and many others, to bring you their real world expertise in the American healthcare system. Your hosts are Dr. Amy Schiffman and Dr. Alex Mohseni, two Emergency Medicine physicians who have branched off from traditional Emergency Medicine to explore and build solutions with a particular focus on eldercare and population health. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/602747270479020/ Join our Subscriber List and get exclusive access to our Mastering Medicare Cheat Sheet and other goodies: https://www.masteringmedicare.net/subscribe

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