Videos
CEO update: Examining UHC’s Designated Diagnostic Provider Program and more
In this week's update, Vachette and Stark Medical Auditing CEO Mick Raich reviews UHC’s new Designated Diagnostic Provider Program that will restrict outpatient lab payments for labs who don’t gain entry. He also examines a number of recent audit findings and provides an update of the latest Covid billing issues.
Breaking down the latest COVID relief, U0005 usage and more — CEO update 1/12/21
Happy New Year! In his first update of 2021, Vachette and Stark Medical Auditing CEO Mick Raich unpacks the details of the latest COVID relief package passed by Congress, including a payment bump for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
Preparing for 2021 Medicare cuts — CEO update 12/21/20
Vachette and Stark CEO Mick Raich dons his Santa gear to unpack the lump of coal that is the finalized 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
CEO update: Billing the COVID Uninsured Patient Portal and other testing compliance issues
This week, Vachette CEO Mick Raich reviews a number of topics we covered in our most recent webinar, including when it is appropriate to bill the Uninsured Patient Portal when performing Covid-19 testing, how these rules pertain to instances of workplace screening, and more.
Video: How will Medicare’s move to adjust COVID-19 test payments affect labs?
In his latest update, Vachette and Stark Medical Auditing CEO Mick Raich reviews Medicare’s recent move to lower COVID-19 test payments for labs that don’t produce results within 48 hours and the impact that may have on labs moving forward.
Preparing for price transparency, UHC G0416 change and more — Vachette update 10/7/20
This week, Vachette CEO Mick Raich reviews the hospital price transparency rules that will take effect Jan. 1 and outlines why they may not be a big deal for larger health systems.
Looking ahead to the election and its impact on healthcare — Vachette weekly update 9/23/20
In this week's video, Vachette CEO Mick Raich turns his attention to how the upcoming Presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
How the PHE will affect healthcare this fall — Vachette weekly update 9/17/20
Vachette and Stark Medical Auditing CEO Mick Raich reviews a Medicare policy change for ABNs and looks forward to how the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will continue to impact health care providers in concert with the upcoming flu season.
Illegal kickbacks, Covid payment boosts and more — CEO Q&A 8/31/20
Vachette CEO Mick Raich addresses a number of questions our team has recently received in this Q&A.
Vachette weekly update — 8/17/2020
In his latest update, Vachette and Stark CEO Mick Raich explores a number of new policy changes from UHC that are continuing to hurt labs during a vulnerable time.
Vachette weekly update — 8/3/20
This week, Vachette and Stark Medical Auditing CEO Mick Raich discusses a number of COVID-19 related issues, including what the extension of the Public Health Emergency means for ordering tests.
Vachette news and COVID roundup — 7/27/20
This week, Vachette CEO Mick Raich discusses the continued push for hospital price transparency, outlines the penalties you could face if your COVID-19 testing cash price isn’t listed publicly on your website and examines a few other COVID-related reimbursement issues.
Vachette news and COVID-19 roundup — 7/20/20
With Covid-19 showing no sign of slowing down in the near future, many health care providers need to prepare for a potential resurgence this fall that could lead to another pause on elective surgeries or a more comprehensive nationwide shutdown.
Labs struggling to collect COVID demographic data
In his latest video, Vachette CEO Mick Raich shares his thoughts on what potential liability labs may face if they fail to report this data:
How COVID-19 could drive surprise billing changes
While the discussion surrounding a nationwide solution for surprise billing was a hot topic until earlier this year, there are now many legitimate questions to be asking about how COVID-19 may drive the push for new legislation.
How COVID-19 is affecting insurers
Everyone knows health care providers have been hit hard by COVID-19, but how have insurers been affected? Vachette CEO Mick Raich has the latest.
How proactive auditing can prevent fraud
Billing items that aren't billable, collecting dollars that don't belong to them -- every day we see different examples of unintentional fraud that could be prevented through routine audits and proactive revenue cycle management.
A troubling trend in denial appeals
Recently, we encountered a biller who had a policy in place stating they won't appeal denials below $500. While such policies are unfortunately becoming more common, it's still unacceptable for your bottom line.
Do you know your biller’s error rate?
Curious about how your biller stacks up against the competition? We're happy to fill you in!
How FOIA can boost your Part A contract
Miss our white paper on how to utilize FOIA requests to bolster your position in Medicare Part A contract negotiations with your hospital? Here's a brief rundown on what data you should be requesting from your Medicare Administrative Contractor.
Finding the sweet spot for small balance write-offs
The practice of writing off small balances is common across the medical billing industry, but the threshold for doing so varies wildly from practice to practice. The question you need to be asking is whether you're losing money because of your write-off policy.
Iron Man – how personal grit translates to the professional world
Vachette CEO Mick Raich describes the difficulties he faced during the recent Traverse City Iron Man competition, and how overcoming them helps him persevere not only in his personal life, but also in a professional capacity.
Insurer slashes statewide payment rates by 70%
Imagine discovering a private payer cut your reimbursement rates by 70 percent! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a team of experts on your side to help navigate such a thorny issue?
Revenue changes for health care in 2016 … So far
Mick Raich, president of Vachette Pathology and Stark Medical Auditing and Consulting, has traveled throughout the country this year to various health care tradeshows and conferences to share his insight on how the health care industry's ongoing transition to value-based medicine will impact your revenue stream, and more importantly, what you can do to prepare.
Video: Health network consolidation, MIPS signal big changes for private practices
Vachette President Mick Raich shares his thoughts on the recent news that the Obama administration plans to begin rating health care networks based on the number of physicians and hospitals within a network and also discusses the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System that will be used to grade physicians starting next year.
Video: Current Issues in Medical Billing Auditing and Compliance
As a pathology practice management and auditing firm, Vachette sees it all. Hear Vachette President Mick Raich talk about some of the "scroogy" things going on lately with medical billing and government regulations.
Video: Forced Single Payer System
Vachette President Mick Raich talks consolidation in healthcare and what this could mean to your pathology practice revenue.
Video: Extended DRG Explained
Have you heard of Extended DRG, or Diagnostic Related Group? If not, you will. Watch as Vachette President Mick Raich explains what this means to you and your pathology practice.
Video: Medicare Proposed Fee Schedule
Recently Medicare released a proposed fee schedule — an 815 page document. Vachette President Mick Raich read the whole document ... watch as he boils it down and relates some interesting items that pathology practices will want to take note of.
CAP ’10 Transformation Plenary
During CAP ‘10, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) hosted the CAP ‘10 Transformation Plenary. Their objective was to examine the economic reality, technological development and the emerging healthcare models that are redefining the physician’s role around...
2010 ASCP Annual Meeting Daily Videos
Attendees are calling the 2010 ASCP Annual Meeting in San Francisco one of the best. See why by watching the five videos chronicling the news of each day and documenting perspectives on the future of the profession. Videos include interviews with ASCP leaders,...
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