Oncology Rounds

Recent Posts

SCREEN act would reduce patient costs for colorectal screenings

on April 25, 2013  |  Permalink

Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Colorectal-GI Cancer, Tumor Site Strategy

Lauren Stentz, Oncology Roundtable

A recently-proposed piece of legislation could dramatically change how Medicare covers cost-sharing and reimbursement for colonoscopy screenings. 

If accepted, the Supporting Colorectal Examination and Education Now (SCREEN) Act will attempt to encourage colorectal cancer screening among Medicare patients by reducing out-of-pocket costs and by reimbursing providers based on their diagnostic results rather than the quantity of exams they provide.

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SCREEN act would reduce patient costs for colorectal screenings

The case for lung cancer screening

on March 26, 2013  |  Permalink

Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Lung Cancer, Tumor Site Strategy

Ingrid Lund, Imaging Performance Partnership

As evidence regarding the effectiveness of CT lung cancer screening grows, many providers hope to implement CT lung cancer programs at their institutions. A few weeks ago, we spoke with Dr. Andrea McKee, director of the Rescue Lung, Rescue Life program at the Lahey Clinic

She told us about building a top-notch lung cancer screening program at Lahey—and how to offer equal access to low-dose CT (LDCT) screening to patients at high risk for the development of lung cancer while decreasing overall costs for the system.

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The case for lung cancer screening

Lung cancer screening billing and reimbursement challenges

on March 15, 2013  |  Permalink  | Comments (1)

Topics: Oncology, Service Lines, Lung Cancer, Tumor Site Strategy, Billing and Collections, Revenue Cycle, Finance

Lindsay Conway, Oncology Roundtable

Although more and more cancer programs are offering low dose lung CT screening for high-risk patients, billing remains a challenge. Most payers still do not reimburse for the screening, and even when they do, there are often gray areas.

Below is a list of some of the questions I’ve received from members over the past year about billing for lung cancer screening. How are you managing these challenges? Please add your comments below, or email me at conwayl@advisory.com.

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Lung cancer screening billing and reimbursement challenges