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BCMS NEWS
LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE:
Coordinated care
reimbursements Doctors are missing out on thousands of dollars in Medicare reimburse-
going unclaimed ments because they are not taking full advantage of a new federal program de-
signed to promote and encourage coordinated care, according to the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The program pays an average of $42 per patient per month for non-face-
to-face chronic care management services such as consulting with other doctors
caring for the same patient.
CMS estimates 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, or roughly 35 million
patients, are eligible for the reimbursement funding, but only about 100,000
have applied thus far.
One problem, according to Kathy Bryant, a senior technical advisor at
CMS, is that doctors have to get permission from patients who are responsible
for a 20 percent copayment. Others say that CMS has not provided enough
information on how to properly bill under the codes.
“There is a concern all this documentation, along with their regular work-
load, is not worth it for the money they would receive,” said Diane Calmus,
government affairs and policy manager at the National Rural Health Associ-
ation. “It’s just too many hoops they would have to jump through.”
But a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine found that
physicians who use the service could see a substantial increase in annual rev-
enue — as much as $77,295 per year if they use registered nurses to conduct
annual wellness visits and other staff to handle more frequent management.
(L-R) Nathan Mai, Kris King, Calvin Mein, MD, Luke Mein (L-R) Everett Bratcher, MD, David Bratcher, Stacy Berry, Capt. Rhett
Price, Kennith Clegg
BCMS FISHING TRIP By Mark Lachenauer, BCMS systems administrator
On Oct. 2, 2015, BCMS members, some of their family mem- muscles that come with fighting a fish of the size and power. Hope
bers, and Circle of Friends sponsors traveled to Rockport for a great to see you all next time.
day of fishing. We had some familiar faces out there as well as some
new comers to our little trip. The weather cooperated and it was a Want to go next time? Keep an eye out for info on the next trip
great day to be out of the office, spending time with friends and get- in a future, The Weekly Dose.
ting some great fish in the boats. There were numerous species
caught this year, one was an approximately 31 inch Redfish caught We want to thank our Sponsors for the 2015 BCMS Fishing Trip.
by Dr. Calvin Mein, but the story of the day came from the boats RBFCU Business Solutions (rbfcu.org) and SeeKing HR (seek-
who got in to some black drum, large black drum, 40+ inches. The inghr.com). Without their continued support and that of the other
fights were long but the stories and the pictures make up for the sore Circle of Friends sponsors events like this would not be possible.
Support our sponsors; our sponsors support us!
10 San Antonio Medicine • November 2015
