Posted in BCBS Empire NY, Training, Updates

BCBS (NY): Proper coding for INR In-home patient monitoring

This following policy is part of BCBS (NY) administrative policy guidelines (07/01/2021)


This blog post is for providers that need to meet the INR (in-home) monitoring quality measure.

What you will learn?

  1. What is INR monitoring Quality measure?
  2. Proper coding for in-home INR monitoring
  3. Documentation requirements to meet the INR in home monitoring measure

What is INR (International normalized ratio)?:

International normalized ratio (INR) is blood-clotting test. It is a test used to measure how quickly your blood forms a clot, compared with normal clotting time.


Background:

International normalized ratio is part of the 2021 Quality Measure Set (Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) measures.

The QRS measure set is comprised of clinical quality measures, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures and Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) measures.


Previously, patients taking warfarin (brand name Coumadin) were heading off to the lab or clinic every few weeks for an international normalized ratio (INR) blood test. However, currently there is a small, portable device that patients on warfarin, can now self-test with a finger prick drop of blood.


Is there a provider type restriction for this quality Measure?

No, there is not provider type restriction.


As a provider, which proper codes should I use for INR in-home patient monitoring?

Below please see the proper codes that providers should use for INR in-home patient monitoring.

Meeting INR monitoring Quality Measure:

Definition: The percentage of members 18 years of age and older who had at least one 56-day interval of warfarin therapy and who received at least one international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring test during each 56-day interval with active warfarin therapy.

INR quality measure requirements.

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As of 06/01/2021, MVP will be changing Robotic and Computer Assisted Surgery from
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MVP will no longer review Robotic and Computer Assisted Surgery as experimental/investigational.

MVP will not provide additional reimbursement based upon the type of instruments, techniques, or approach used in the surgical procedure.

MVP does not provide additional professional or technical reimbursement for use of robotic or
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According to MVP reimbursement policy:

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MVP (NY) COVID-19 Vaccine Proper Billing and Coding guidance

The following medical billing and coding Guidance, for COVID-19 vaccines, ONLY applies to New York Providers.

As per MVP: ALL COVID-19 vaccines are covered for all PLANS without a member cost-share.

In order to get reimbursement, providers need to follow the proper COVID-19 vaccine billing and coding guidance.


For MVP Medicare Patients:

Providers please bill Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) directly for the vaccine and administration of the
vaccine to MVP Members enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2020 and 2021. If Providers will bill the COVID-19 claims to MVP, they will be denied.

For MVP Commercial and Managed Medicaid Patients:

Since COVID-19 vaccines are provided by the government at no charge, Providers should not bill the Vaccine codes (please see below Picture 2). Instead providers should only bill the administration codes (see below Picture 1).


(Picture 1)
(Picture 2)

MVP will reimburse both In Network and Out of Network providers.