04.16.2024

A heads-up from the OIG for FY 2025: The OIG says it wants greater scrutiny; Are we listening?

Here's a heads-up that all healthcare providers, including mental health, substance use disorder treatment providers, and other behavioral health organizations need to note: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of…

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04.09.2024

Survey Guide for Behavioral Health: After the Survey

Which do you think is the most stressful for behavioral health providers: preparing for an upcoming survey or dealing with deficiencies afterward? Both the before and after of a behavioral health…

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04.02.2024

Be Ready for Anything: Commonly Cited Survey Items

Policies and procedures function as the blueprint for a behavioral healthcare organization, but providers often struggle to keep them updated and to provide evidence that they are adhering to their…

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03.26.2024

Before and after: A survey guide for behavioral healthcare providers

Surveys can be stressful, but they offer healthcare providers the chance to look under the hood and figure out exactly where the engine of the organization needs a tune-up.

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03.12.2024

Providers face prep work under regulatory changes for SUD confidentiality

Providers of substance use disorder (SUD) services can expect to undergo major housekeeping tasks for their records and forms to comply with new, overhauled regulations for SUD patient record confidentiality.

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03.05.2024

Seven telehealth billing practices are red flags to the OIG

Is your behavioral healthcare organization analyzing its own Medicare telehealth claims data to assess potential program integrity risks? Many of SimiTree’s behavioral healthcare clients overlook this essential step.

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02.27.2024

Expanding telehealth provisions bring escalating compliance risk

Behavioral healthcare providers who bill Medicare will continue to see significant changes in telehealth as they implement new provisions allowed under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule for CY 2024.

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02.20.2024

New SDoH assessment code requires attention to compliance details

As CMS broadens its whole-person health initiative, we’re seeing new payment policies for behavioral health services addressing Health Related Social Needs. The effective use of these new HRSN payment policies includes a new G code, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

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02.13.2024

CCBHCs can leverage quality data under new certification criteria

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are working to meet timelines for compliance with new certification criteria based on their CCBHC expansion grant status and state demonstration pilot requirements. Revised certification criteria was issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in March 2023.

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