As we move towards the end of 2022, the world continues the COVID journey towards endemic.
While cases are on a rise due to the latest variant, the severity of the disease remains low, bringing down the fatality rate remarkably. We have learned to live with some basic precautions and made these changes a part of our day-to-day life.
During 2021-2022, insurance companies had granted ease to the providers and to their patients so that medical care is available to all even during the toughest of the time.
- COVID testing was free.
- Patient share was suspended.
- Need for Authorization was relaxed.
- Telemedicine was available with no patient responsibility.
The Federal Public Health Emergency has been extended through October 13, 2022. But slowly thing are returning back to normal. Some of the waivers are being withdrawn.
- Patient responsibility is back as copay and co-insurance.
- Authorization and referral are needed by most of the insurance. Some Medicare advantage plans are still waving the need for Authorization, but this is changing every day.
- AVMED needs authorization.
- Commercial BCBS HMO plans need authorization.
- DEVOTED re-started Authorization from 07/01/2022
- UHC is using POS 2 and not modifier 95 for telemedicine.
It a blessing to be returning back to normal, but some of these changes can throw us off balance. Please check the newsletters and updates from your insurance to stay on top of the game.
PURVA SOBTI, CPC (AAPC)
M.SC MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
