The country’s hospitals stepped up in unprecedented ways to face COVID-19’s challenges. As outbreaks rose, hospitals had to ramp up testing efforts while treating thousands of patients in an effort to save lives, control the virus’ spread, and safeguard the health of other patients and hospital staff. These challenges have also created significant financial pressures […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic approaches its second year, medical practitioners are uncovering new repercussions stemming from the infection. It’s becoming clear to those in the medical community that symptoms of COVID can linger long after patients recover. Referred to as COVID “long-haulers,” these patients continue to suffer a broad range of peculiar symptoms related to […]
Even before the pandemic, many primary care providers were struggling with unsustainable practice costs and burnout. COVID-19’s disruption of the healthcare delivery system, however, poses additional challenges to primary care. According to a recent survey, facilities must adapt to shifting workflows, implementing new billing and coding practices, and building platforms for telehealth services—all while dealing […]
Updated December 22, 2020: The COVID pandemic has had tremendous emergent impact upon medical care, testing and supplies. In response, the AMA’s CPT Editorial Panel has had to rapidly create and establish new CPT codes for COVID reporting, tracking and analysis to support data-driven planning and resource allocation. On December 12, 2020, the Pfizer COVID […]
Starting on September 1, hospitals that have cared for patients who are Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with COVID-19 will see a 20% boost in payments if they prove a positive diagnosis, CMS announced on Aug. 17. The pay hike comes from a provision in the CARES Act that directed the Department of Health and Human Services […]
