Get Ready for "Heal that Claim"™ Month
The Academy encourages members to prepare for November's "Heal that Claim"™ month by performing a claims process check-up in an effort to reduce waste from the claims process and decrease the physician cost to submit claims.
This check-up will help you assess the financial health of your practices, learn ways to streamline internal claims process, and find out how to hold payers accountable for making claims processing more cost-effective and transparent.
Physician practices often experience an increase in underpayments and denials during the last quarter of the year, so November is an ideal time to appeal inappropriately underpaid or denied claims. Instead of accepting increased claims underpayments and denials, physician practices can appeal these claims and collect their appropriate payment in January and February. Payments from payers are reduced those two months as many patients meet their out-of-pocket deductibles.
AAN members can access resources to streamline their internal claims process in the "Heal the Claims Process"™ toolkit and pledge their support of the campaign.
Private Insurer Relations
The Academy is committed to pursuing advocacy related activities with health plans, specialty societies, employers, and other private sector entities. This includes but is not limited to researching, building relationships with, and maintaining open communication with these entities.
More information on Payment Policy and Decision Making
Medicare & Regulatory Issues
The Academy monitors federal regulations to inform members of changes to regulations and educate members on how to come into compliance with any changes. In addition the Academy also comments on changes affecting neurologists.
For more information on Medicare & Regulatory Issues
Medicare Part D
Beginning on January 1, 2006 Medicare began offering prescription drug coverage through the Medicare Part D program. This program covers both name brand and generics prescription medication through a variety of plans which beneficiaries choose from. Health care providers need to be aware of how this coverage impacts their patients.