Reimbursement & Coding for Radiation Oncology

Transcription

1 Reimbursement & Coding for Radiation Oncology HSCO November 2015

2 Contact Information Revenue Cycle Inc W. Braker Lane Bldg. F, Suite 200 Austin, Texas (512)

3 Disclaimer This presentation was prepared as a tool to assist attendees in learning about documentation, charge capture and billing processes. It is not intended to affect clinical treatment patterns. While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the information within these pages, the responsibility for correct documentation and correct submission of claims and response to remittance advice lies with the provider of the services. The material provided is for informational purposes only. Efforts have been made to ensure the information within this document was accurate on the date of presentation. Reimbursement policies vary from insurer to insurer and the policies of the same payor may vary within different U.S. regions. All policies should be verified to ensure compliance. CPT codes, descriptions and other data are copyright 2015 American Medical Association (or such other date of publication of CPT ). All Rights Reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Code descriptions and billing scenarios are references from the AMA, CMS local and national coverage determinations (LCD/NCD), the ASTRO/ACR Guide to Radiation Oncology Coding, the ACRO Practice Management Guide and common practice standards nationwide.

4 Objectives Stress Importance of Compliance Discuss the Process of Care Educate Attendees on Applying Proper Coding Provide Guidance on Appropriate Documentation Emphasize Utilization of Current Reference Materials Allow Interactive Discussion for Questions & Advice

5 OIG Study January 2014 Report OIG recommending contractors look in EHR Audit Logs Looking for: Copy & Paste Clone Documentation Over-documenting (E&M)

6 Cloned Documentation Policy- National Government Services (NGS)

7 Signature Guidelines Written Signatures Full name or first initial and last name Legible or accompanied by signature log Date and time Electronic Signatures Provided via secure login and password Printed statement Name, credentials, date and time Medicare example: Electronically Signed By: John Doe, M.D. 03:25pm

8 Direct PE Inputs for MPFS ONLY no more simulation up front for IMRT Source: AMA RBRVS DataManager/PE Inputs

9 Medical Supply Direct Inputs MPFS

10 Medical Equipment MPFS

11 What About Hospitals? RUC does not set values for codes in a hospital Codes are placed in APCs and reimbursed at a rate set for the APC group May 2015 OIG released mid-year work plan update Includes information of review of IMRT related services Some payor policies indicate initial sim is billable for IMRT course CMS indicates to bill for services which are packaged in hospital setting

12 OIG 2015 Mid-Year Work Plan Update

13 Part Two Process of Care CPT Codes Utilization Guidelines Documentation Guidelines

14 Radiation Oncology Coding Disclaimer: Content is not intended to dictate treatment patterns; only to aid in coding Billing and coding should match actual procedures performed and documented Never manipulate dates for reimbursement Follow the rules; do not attempt to get around them. Understand the process of care Documentation MUST clearly illustrate and support services provided and billed and should not need further explanation from a staff member

15 Evaluation & Management Physicians Billed based on type of patient New Patient ( ) Established ( ) Inpatient Initial ( ) Inpatient Subsequent ( ) Coding based on documentation History Examination Medical Decision Making Time (Face-to-Face) Hospital Clinic Visits G0463 Does not differentiate between new and established Documentation required

16 Clinical Treatment Planning Clinical Treatment Planning Professional Only Simple planning requires a single treatment area of interest encompassed in a single port or simple parallel opposed ports with simple or no blocking Intermediate planning requires three or more converging ports, two separate treatment areas, multiple blocks, or special time dose constraints Complex planning requires highly complex blocking, custom shielding blocks, tangential ports, special wedges or compensators, three or more separate treatment areas, rotational or special beam considerations, combination of therapeutic modalities.

17 Utilization Guidelines Billed for the Radiation Oncologist s cognitive thought process Billable once per course Documentation must support date of service and complexity Clinical treatment planning includes interpretation of special testing, tumor localization, treatment volume determinations, treatment time/dosage determinations, choice of treatment modality(ies), selection of appropriate treatment devices and other procedures such as concurrent or sequential chemotherapy or surgery. The documentation must support the separately itemized, specific services provided. Review of records, pathology reports and/or imaging studies are typically part of the basis for claiming either a higher-level E/M service preceding treatment planning, or as a component of this code, but this same work should not be counted as a basis for both services.

18 Sample Documentation Code the Procedure: Date of Service CPT Code Provider

19 Special Treatment Procedure Special treatment procedure (eg, total body irradiation, hemibody radiation, per oral, or endocavitary irradiation) Utilization Guidelines: Reported for extra work required by the physician & staff for special procedures Allowed once per course of therapy Requires documentation to support the additional time and/or effort

20 Standard of Care As techniques or modalities become standard of care, they are no longer considered special by our payors. The following statement is found within LCDs by Novitas, Noridian and First Coast

21 Coding For Treatment Devices Device Codes Simple (simple block, simple bolus) Examples: pre-made electron block, bolus Intermediate (multiple blocks, stents, bite blocks, special bolus) Examples: Bite block, customized bolus Complex (irregular blocks, special shields, compensators, wedges, molds or casts) Examples: Aquaplast masks, alpha cradles, Vac-Lok, custom molds Note: The Breast Board is considered a simple treatment device in most parts of the country, however, in one LCD it is considered an intermediate device.

22 Utilization Guidelines Documentation must support date of service for design or construction and complexity LCDs may have specific coding instructions Physician involvement required Wisconsin Physicians Service LCD states: It is the responsibility of the provider to determine the CPT code that most accurately describes the devices employed. At all levels of complexity, the physician must be directly involved in the design, selection, and placement of any of the devices.

23 Isodose Planning Isodose Planning Isodose Plan 77306, & Beam Modifiers No Calculations seperately billed Performed on Treatment Planning System Used when 3D, IMRT or Stereotactic requirements are not met Documentation of isodose plan is required in addition to treatment devices and calculations Calculations are bundled into treatment planning codes and not separately billable

24 Coding For Isodose Planning Planning Codes Teletherapy isodose plan; simple (1 or 2 unmodified ports directed to a single area of interest), includes basic dosimetry calculation(s) Teletherapy isodose plan; complex (multiple treatment areas, tangential ports, the use of wedges, blocking, rotational beam, or special beam considerations), includes basic dosimetry calculation(s) 77321* Special teletherapy port plan, particles, hemibody, total body i.e., protons, neutrons and electrons *Do not bill in conjunction with per AMA

25 Coding For Treatment Devices Beam Modifiers Device Codes Simple (simple block, simple bolus) Examples: pre-made block, asymmetric jaw, bolus Intermediate (multiple blocks, stents, bite blocks, special bolus) Examples: multiple pre-made blocks, beam splitter Complex (irregular blocks, special shields, compensators, wedges, molds or casts) Examples: custom block or MLC, compensator, wedge

26 Electron Processes Clinical Set-Up Set-Up Simulation Beam Modifier(s) or Calculation(s) Computer Assisted Set-Up Computer Aided Field Setting Sim Beam Modifier(s) or Special Teletherapy Port Plan Verification Simulation No Calculation in this case

27 3D Radiotherapy Plan 3 Dimensional Radiotherapy Plan, Including DVH 3D Plan Beam Modifiers Calculations may change in 2016 Respiratory Management (if applicable) Computer Aided Process that includes: Delineation of volumes Placement of isocenter & beams Development of isodose plan & DVH

28 3D Planning Utilization Guidelines Must include volume of interest and critical structure Includes simulation process to design treatment fields and isodose planning (not separately billable) Billable once per course Wisconsin Physicians Service LCD states:

29 Basic Dosimetry Calculation Basic radiation dosimetry calculation, central axis depth dose calculation, TDF, NSD, gap calculation, off axis factor, tissue inhomogeneity factors, calculation of non-ionizing radiation surface and depth dose, as required during course of treatment, only when prescribed by the treating physician Utilization Guidelines Applicable for all types of dosimetry planning until 2015 Cannot be billed with 77306, or Supporting documentation must support quantity and date of service Requires physician signature

30 CPT Respiratory motion management simulation (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Primary procedure is either or and will be billed on same date as one of these codes As stated by AMA in CPT Changes, November 2013 Issue, Page 11 Increasingly, simulation is performed with respiratory motion management because respiratory movement is an important consideration when devising treatment plans for patients with diseases in certain locations (eg, thoracic tumors, upper abdominal tumors). In these patients, the treatment area is not a static target, but rather the treatment area moves with continuous respiration, and therefore requires the acquisition of multiple data sets showing the respiratory motion. Because multiple scans are produced and fused with motion respiratory tracking, respiratory motion management provides precise mapping of the field and portal design defining the respiratory movement of the target tissue and the possible organs at risk. This process is performed more frequently as motion management techniques are applied to conformal or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans. In response, code has been established for CPT 2014 to report respiratory motion management in addition to the primary procedure.

31 Documentation for CPT Revenue Cycle Inc. recommends: Physician orders and medical necessity Simulation note to include the work performed and images acquired Procedure note to include the work completed as part of the planning process performed by physician and staff Look for payor guidelines for use of new code

32 Procedure Note Example

33 IMRT Planning IMRT Planning IMRT Plan IMRT Device Secondary Calculations Respiratory Management (if applicable) Key Documentation Requirements for IMRT Planning: Medical necessity = why IMRT? Dose objectives & constraints Approved IMRT Plan and QA

34 IMRT Calculations Must be performed & documented for all IMRT cases prior to the start of treatment Must be reviewed and approved by physician One per gantry angle or arc First Coast Services Options LCD states: CPT Assistant, November 2009; page 3:

35 IMRT Device Multi-leaf collimator (MLC) device(s) for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), design and construction per IMRT plan Utilization Guidelines: Re-computation of fluence distribution in a phantom is required One per plan Billable for boost planning Noridian Healthcare Solutions LCD states:

36 IGRT Approval of IGRT prior to Tx does not equal a Verification Sim Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) utilizes various imaging technologies to account for changes in the position of the intended target before or during treatment delivery. Hospital Guidance for localization of target volume for delivery of radiation treatment delivery, includes intrafraction tracking, when performed Physicians and Freestanding Cancer Centers G6001 (76950) - Ultrasonic guidance for placement of radiation therapy fields G6002 (77421) - Stereoscopic x-ray guidance for localization of target volume for the delivery of radiation therapy. G6017 (0197T) - Intra-fraction localization and tracking of target or patient motion during delivery of radiation therapy (e.g. 3D positional tracking, gating, 3D surface tracking), each fraction of treatment Computed tomography guidance for placement of radiation fields

37 2015 IGRT Changes Hospital Outpatient: 76950, and 0197T deleted January 1, no longer associated with IGRT separately billable with 3D delivery when supported bundled with IMRT delivery codes, not separately billable Physician & Freestanding: 76950, and 0197T deleted January 1, 2015 G-codes created for use until new CPT codes are implemented continues to be used for CBCT IGRT separately billable for IMRT cases

38 Fiducial Markers A4648 Tissue marker, implantable, any type, each A4650 Implantable radiation dosimeter, each Billing for Markers Hospital or ASC markers are packaged into the placement code, not separately paid FSC or Office markers are paid at invoice cost Report the invoice price per marker in Box 19 of CMS1500 claim form

39 Treatment Delivery Changes 77403, 77404, 77406, 77408, 77409, 77411, 77413, 77414, 77416, and 0073T deleted New CPT codes for hospital outpatient locations G-codes created for use in freestanding facilities

40 HOPPS Treatment Delivery Code Descriptor Radiation treatment delivery, superficial and/or ortho voltage, per day Radiation treatment delivery, > 1 MeV; simple Radiation treatment delivery, > 1 MeV; intermediate Radiation treatment delivery, > 1 MeV; complex Simple: All of the following criteria are met (and none of the complex or intermediate criteria are met): single treatment area; one or two ports; and two or fewer simple blocks Intermediate: Any of the following criteria are met (and none of the complex criteria are met): two separate treatment areas; three or more ports on a single treatment area; or three or more simple blocks Complex: Any of the following criteria are met: three or more separate treatment areas; custom blocking; tangential ports; wedges; rotational beam; field-in-field or other tissue compensation that does not meet IMRT guidelines; or electron beam

41 CPT Update CPT Manual: Energies below the megavoltage range may be used in the treatment of skin lesions. Superficial radiation energies (up to 200kV) may be generate by a variety of technologies and should not be reported with megavoltage (77402, 77407, 77412) for surface application. Do not report clinical treatment planning (77261, 77262, 77263), treatment devices (77332, 77333, 77334), isodose planning (77306, 77307, 77316, 77317, 77318), physics consultation (77336), or radiation treatment management (77427, 77431, 77432, 77435, 77469, 77470, 77499) with When reporting alone, physician evaluation and management, when performed, may be reported with the appropriate E/M codes.

42 HOPPS Treatment Delivery (IMRT) Code Descriptor Intensity modulated radiation treatment delivery (IMRT), includes guidance and tracking, when performed; simple Intensity modulated radiation treatment delivery (IMRT), includes guidance and tracking, when performed; complex Simple: Any of the following: prostate, breast, and all sites using physical compensator-based IMRT Complex: Includes all other sites if not using physical compensatorbased IMRT

43 Stereotactic Treatment Delivery MPFS & HOPPS Radiation treatment delivery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), complete course of treatment of cranial lesion(s) consisting of 1 session; multi-source Cobalt 60 based Radiation treatment delivery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), complete course of treatment of cranial lesion(s) consisting of 1 session; linear accelerator based Stereotactic body radiation therapy, treatment delivery, per fraction to 1 or more lesions, including image guidance, entire course not to exceed 5 fractions

44 Utilization Guidelines for SRS/SBRT Billable once per day of treatment regardless of the number of sessions or lesions If SRS or SBRT performed on same date as a different treatment modality, only one is billable G0339 and G0340 will remain on the MPFS for CY2015 G0173 & G0251 no longer available

45 Radiation Oncologist Participation As stated within Novitas Solutions, Inc. LCD:

46 Documentation Guidelines Procedure note is necessary for each fraction of SRS and/or SBRT 5 fraction course = 5 Procedure notes

47 Treatment Management Radiation treatment management, 5 treatments Stereotactic radiation treatment management of cranial lesion(s) (complete course of treatment consisting of 1 session) Radiation therapy management with complete course of therapy consisting of 1 or 2 fractions only Utilization Guidelines As published within the 2011CPT: Radiation treatment management requires and includes a minimum of one examination of the patient by the physician for medical evaluation and management for each reporting of the radiation treatment management service SBRT, treatment management, per treatment course, to 1 or more lesions, including image guidance, entire course not to exceed 5 fx Utilization Guidelines: Billable once per course regardless of number of lesions or sessions & cannot be billed for same course Supporting documentation required

48 Continuing Medical Physics Continuing medical physics consultation, including assessment of treatment parameters, quality assurance of dose delivery, and review of patient treatment documentation in support of the radiation oncologist, reported per week of therapy Utilization Guidelines: Billable once per five fractions Applicable for single fraction or two fraction courses Billable during the final week of treatment if three or more fractions are delivered Documentation required to support physics review and parameters checked

49 Special Physics Consult Special medical radiation physics consultation Utilization Guidelines: Must be ordered by a physician for a specific reason Report by the physicist addressing the specific request Physician signature on the report is necessary acknowledging their review Billed on the date of the report

50 Noridian Healthcare Solutions States:

51 Part Three Brachytherapy Intra Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) Hyperthermia Radiopharmaceuticals

52 Key Components Clinical Planning Applicator Placement Simulation & Imaging Dosimetry Treatment Delivery

53 Applicator Placement Wisconsin Physician Services Brachytherapy LCD states: May be performed by the radiation oncologist or in collaboration with another physician.

54 Collaboration As stated within the WPS Brachytherapy LCD,

55 Placement Codes Code Descriptor Placement of radiotherapy after loading balloon catheter into the breast for interstitial radioelement application following partial mastectomy, includes image guidance; on date separate from partial mastectomy concurrent with partial mastectomy Placement of radiotherapy after loading brachytherapy catheters (multiple tube & button type) into the breast for interstitial radioelement application following (at the time of or subsequent to) partial mastectomy, includes image guidance Placement of needles or catheters into muscle &/or soft tissue for subsequent interstitial radioelement application (at the time of or subsequent to the procedure) Bronchoscopy with placement of catheter(s) for intracavitary radioelement application Placement of needles, catheters, or other device(s) into the head and/or neck region (percutaneous, transoral, or transnasal) for subsequent interstitial radioelement application Endoscopy with transendoscopic intraluminal tube or catheter placement

56 Placement Codes Cont. Code Descriptor Transperineal placement of needles or catheters into prostate for interstitial radioelement application, with or without cystoscopy Placement of needles or catheters into pelvic organs &/or genitalia (except prostate) for subsequent interstitial radioelement application Insertion of uterine tandem and/or ovoids for clinical brachytherapy Insertion of a vaginal radiation afterloading apparatus for clinical brachytherapy Insertion of Heyman capsules for clinical brachytherapy C T Placement of endorectal Intracavitary application for high intensity brachytherapy Placement of intraocular source

57 Brachytherapy Simulations Simulations typically performed for: Placement of devices Verification of source placement Coding guidelines vary depending on the procedure performed

58 CPT Assistant States: The process of measuring the anatomy and placing marks on the skin or immobilization device to help the team direct the radiation safely and exactly to the intended location is called "simulation." For example, in code 77290, brachytherapy simulation is the complex process of making position adjustments and for performing dose calculations (code 77290). Nonradioactive "dummy" sources are used to geographically define the "eventual position" of the radioactive sources in temporary implant devices. Code is used to report the simple simulation for subsequent "check" verification simulations during the course of radiotherapy with temporary implants to confirm or correct applicator position.

59 NCCI Policy Manual States: Chapter 9, Page 17

60 Treatment Devices Applicable for some brachytherapy devices Billable once per course Typically billed as simple (however, there are instances where complex would be appropriate) Vaginal cylinder and Tandem & Ovoid included in placement code PE for MPFS Noridian LCD states: Treatment devices may include the use of certain templates, molds, or other apparatus that may be required for specific clinical circumstances. Pre-manufactured, commercially available devices are simple devices.

61 Brachytherapy Isodose Plan Codes Brachytherapy isodose plan; simple (calculation[s] made from 1 to 4 sources, or remote afterloading brachytherapy, 1 channel), includes basic dosimetry calculation(s) Intermediate (calculation[s] made from 5 to 10 sources, or remote afterloading brachytherapy, 2-12 channels), includes basic dosimetry calculation(s) Complex (calculation[s] made from over 10 sources, or remote afterloading brachytherapy, over 12 channels), includes basic dosimetry calculation(s)

62 3D Plan (77295) 3D plan may be applicable based on the plan performed Standard requirements apply Billed instead of the brachytherapy isodose plan Noridian Brachytherapy LCD states:

63 Electronic HDR for T for Skin and 0395T for Interstitial for Electronic HDR 0182T was Deleted Only Simulations and E&M codes can be reported with electronic brachy. All other codes are prohibited!

64 LDR Interstitial for 2016 Only one code to remain Complex interstitial Rad Source to include handling and loading 77790, which is not to be reported seperately and have been deleted.

65 Objectives Stress Importance of Compliance Discuss the Process of Care Educate Attendees on Applying Proper Coding Provide Guidance on Appropriate Documentation Emphasize Utilization of Current Reference Materials Allow Interactive Discussion for Questions & Advice

66 Part One Authoritative Guidance Legislative Updates Proposed and Final Rule Medicare Overview Billing & Coding Overview Auditing Entities Compliance

67 Rules & Regulations Authoritative Guidance: Federal Register Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Local Coverage Determinations (LCD) Medicare Manuals Coding Edits: NCCI, OCE, MUE American Medical Association (AMA) Commercial Payor Policies

68 Proposed vs. Final Proposed CMS s plan, intent, thoughts for rules, regulations and reimbursement for upcoming year Final Determined after consideration and debate occurs based on comments received Proposed Rules Consideration of Comments Final Rule

69 2016 Final Rule Highlights HOPPS 0.3% decrease in reimbursement Adjustment to C-APC for SRS Some ancillary services removed from packaging and paid separately APCs restructured Codes moved into new APCs and groupings Set into 9 families of APCs Initial simulation not billable with IMRT course in hospital setting Hospital Outpatient Quality Measure for bone mets MPFS CF = $ , slight decrease from 2015 CMS G-codes for treatments and imaging continuing in areas impacting coding and reimbursement in 2016 Image guidance Equipment utilization rate assumptions for linear accelerators Superficial radiation treatment services Incident to guidelines updated

70 2016 Final Rule MPFS HIGHLIGHTS

71 MPFS Equation Work RVU * Work GPCI PE RVU * PE GPCI MP RVU * MP GPCI + + * Conversion Factor Physician work provided per service Practice expense, overhead etc. for service Malpractice is professional liability insurance Used to convert RVUs into $$$ GPCI = Geographic Practice Cost Index (adjusts each different type of RVU) for a particular locality in the country

72 Conversion Factor (CF) Update The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) put into law April 16, 2015 Repealed sustainable growth rate (SGR) Revised and established PFS updates for several years Established a Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) CY 2016 CF proposed to be $ & finalized at $ % increase over CY 2015 CF of $ , but Decrease of Budget Neutrality Factor Decrease of Target Recapture Amount

73 Calculating Conversion Factor Budget Neutrality keeps CMS budget in expected range, factor subtracted from CF of the 0.5% update factor Target Recapture Amount Factor applied if due to misvalued codes in previous years, expenditure reduction does not meet the 1% target Pathology had high number of misvalued codes that are now impacting reimbursement for all specialties in 2016

74 MPFS Payment Impact Table TABLE 62: CY 2016 PFS Estimated Impact on Total Allowed Charges by Specialty* (A) Specialty (B) Allowed Charges (mil) (C) Impact of Work RVU Changes (D) Impact of PE RVU Changes (E) Impact of MP RVU Changes (F) Combined Impact** Radiation Oncology $1,776 0% -2% 0% -2% Radiation Therapy Centers $52 0% -2% 0% -1% ** Column F may not equal the sum of columns C, D, and E due to rounding. Proposed conversion to AMA CPT codes was not finalized, G- codes continued, this will decrease the overall negative impact from what was proposed.

75 Potentially Misvalued Codes High expenditure screening tool identified codes which may be potentially misvalued. TABLE 8: List of Potentially Misvalued Codes Identified Through High Expenditure by Specialty Screen HCPCS Short Descriptor Diagnostic laryngoscopy Radiation therapy planning Radiation treatment aid(s) Special radiation treatment Codes have not been reviewed since 2009 or earlier and have a significant impact on PFS payments at a specialty level, >$10 million allowed charges.

76 Radiation Treatment and Related Image Guidance Services 2016 G-codes continue for treatment delivery and imaging MPFS only! Brachytherapy coding changes in 2016 will be implemented 3 areas impacting coding and reimbursement in 2016 Image guidance Equipment utilization rate assumptions for linear accelerators Superficial radiation treatment services

77 Treatment Delivery Coding in CY 2016 Implementation of AMA codes delayed again for MPFS Treatment delivery and image guidance codes will continue to be reported with CMS created G-codes CMS indicated new IMRT tx codes were good based on diagnosis compared to single code to encompass all IMRT services. The overall high potential impact to reimbursement for IMRT courses major reason for delay. Seeking more information and input to value codes in future CMS is engaging market research to develop independent estimates on utilization of linear accelerators and image guidance used to deliver radiation treatments to patients CMS to review how to collect data from hospital based systems to assist in establishing rates for txs and other technical services

78 Treatment Delivery Coding 2016 cont. Before accurate rates can be developed following changes needed, per CMS Developing a code set that recognizes the difference in costs between kinds of imaging guidance modalities; Making sure that this code set facilitates valuation that incorporates the cost of imaging based on how frequently it is actually provided; and Developing treatment delivery codes that are structured to differentiate payment based on the equipment resources used. Table on following slide outlines the G-codes to use for MPFS

79 2015 & 2016 MPFS 2014 CPT Code Code 2015 & 2016 Description (IGRT) Computed tomography guidance for placement of radiation therapy fields Radiation treatment delivery, superficial and/or orthovoltage, per day G6001 Ultrasonic guidance for placement of radiation therapy fields G6002 Stereoscopic X-ray guidance for localization of target volume for the delivery of radiation therapy G G G G G G G G G G G G G T 0197T G6016 G6017 Radiation treatment delivery, single treatment area, single port or parallel opposed ports, simple blocks or no blocks; up to 5 MeV Radiation treatment delivery, single treatment area, single port or parallel opposed ports, simple blocks or no blocks; 6-10 MeV Radiation treatment delivery, single treatment area, single port or parallel opposed ports, simple blocks or no blocks; MeV Radiation treatment delivery, single treatment area, single port or parallel opposed ports, simple blocks or no blocks; 20 MeV or greater Radiation treatment delivery, 2 separate treatment areas, 3 or more ports on a single treatment area, use of multiple blocks; up to 5 MeV Radiation treatment delivery, 2 separate treatment areas, 3 or more ports on a single treatment area, use of multiple blocks; 6-10 MeV Radiation treatment delivery, 2 separate treatment areas, 3 or more ports on a single treatment area, use of multiple blocks; MeV Radiation treatment delivery, 2 separate treatment areas, 3 or more ports on a single treatment area, use of multiple blocks; 20 MeV or greater Radiation treatment delivery, 3 or more separate treatment areas, custom blocking, tangential ports, wedges, rotational beam, compensators, electron beam; up to 5 MeV Radiation treatment delivery, 3 or more separate treatment areas, custom blocking, tangential ports, wedges, rotational beam, compensators, electron beam; 6-10 MeV Radiation treatment delivery, 3 or more separate treatment areas, custom blocking, tangential ports, wedges, rotational beam, compensators, electron beam; MeV Radiation treatment delivery, 3 or more separate treatment areas, custom blocking, tangential ports, wedges, rotational beam, compensators, electron beam; 20 MeV or greater Intensity modulated treatment delivery, single or multiple fields/arcs, via narrow spatially and temporally modulated beams, binary, dynamic MLC, per treatment session Compensator-based beam modulation treatment delivery of inverse planned treatment using 3 or more high resolution (milled or cast) compensator convergent beam modulated fields, per treatment session Intra-fraction localization and tracking of target or patient motion during delivery of radiation therapy (eg, 3D positional tracking, gating, 3D surface tracking), each fraction of treatment

80 Reimbursement Snapshot of Txs 2016 HCPCS Description 2015 Final Payment Rate (CF $ ) 2016 Final Payment Rate (CF$ ) Variance % Change Radiation treatment delivery $ $ $ % G6004 Radiation treatment delivery $ $ $ % G6008 Radiation treatment delivery $ $ $ % G6012 Radiation treatment delivery $ $ $ % G6013 Radiation treatment delivery $ $ $ % G6015 Radiation tx delivery imrt $ $ $ (54.57) -13.6% G6016 Delivery comp imrt $ $ $ (54.56) -13.6%

81 Image guidance On-board imaging calculated as part of capital expense of treatment machines, could not accurately calculate separately for image guidance codes per the RUC data. Time value of image guidance was accepted as correct, 16 minutes total at time of treatment. 3 mins pre-service, 10 mins intraservice and 3 mins post service The RUC assumed the most used imaging code was 77014, when setting values for it used these values Most used imaging code was with lower RVUs CMS did agree with imaging bundled into IMRT tx, but not 3D txs. Creates issues with the hierarchy of codes, 3D would be higher than IMRT As a result, image guidance codes for 2016 are and G-codes

82 Equipment Utilization Rate for Linear Accelerators Capital equipment cost is the primary determining factor in payment rates for treatment delivery. Estimated Cost = # mins of equipment use x per minute cost of equipment CMS has two default equipment usage assumptions 50% and 90% Rad Onc default calculation Typical business hours10 hrs/day x 5 days/week = 50 hr work week, 50% of that = 25 hours per week that linacs are used for treatment CMS claims data supports single linac used 11.2 hours/day or 7 out of 10 business hours per day, not 5 of 10 hours A 45% aggregate time increase in utilization over current default

83 Equipment Utilization Rate for Linear Accelerators cont. Treatment times had issues The RUC stated IMRT is 60 mins/treatment Data and public info said IMRT is 5-30 mins/treatment CMS adjusting utilization for Rad Onc from 50% to 70% over 2 years CMS calculated utilization to be higher, but limiting the increase to only 70%, rather than the 90% used for Diagnostic Radiology Increase to 60% in 2016 and increase to 70% in 2017 Increase in utilization = decrease in Practice Expense (PE) RVUs = potential decrease in payment for treatments This is reason for overall negative impact in 2016

84 Superficial Radiation Treatment Delivery CMS did not make major changes as requested per comments. Feedback was conflicting Considering creating a code to describe the work associated with code due to all other codes bundling into tx CMS is seeking input CMS did finalize equipment is now named superficial radiation therapy system Equipment pricing raised from $140,000 to $216,000

85 Incident to Changes CMS finalizing changes to incident to definition and guidelines. Incident to services continue to require direct supervision of auxiliary personnel providing the service by physician or NPP CMS adjusting language to include supervising is billing physician To be certain that the incident to services furnished to a beneficiary are in fact an integral, although incidental, part of the physician s or other practitioner s personal professional service that is billed to Medicare, we believe that the physician or other practitioner who bills for the incident to service must also be the physician or other practitioner who directly supervises the service. It has been our position that billing practitioners should have a personal role in, and responsibility for, furnishing services for which they are billing and receiving payment as an incident to their own professional services. Statement matches attestation statement on back of CMS1500 claim form

86 Incident to Changes cont. Revising last sentence from what was proposed to state, that the physician (or other practitioner) supervising the auxiliary personnel need not be the same physician (or other practitioner) treating the patient more broadly. Also stating the following, that only the physician or other practitioner under whose supervision the incident to service(s) are being provided is permitted to bill the Medicare program for the incident to services.

87 2016 Final Rule HOPPS HIGHLIGHTS

88 Payment for Hospital Outpatient Visits G0463 (clinic visit) moving from APC 0634 to APC 5012 APC 5012 will continue to be base setting APC for all other APCs G0463 is the most frequently furnished service in the hospital outpatient setting HCPCS Code Short Descriptor 2015 APC 2015 Nat. Avg. Payment 2016 APC 2016 Nat. Avg. Payment Variance G0463 Hospital outpt clinic visit 0634 $ $ %

89 HCPCS Code Updates for CY 2016 AMA did provide CMS with new codes for CY 2016 on time! So no G-codes were created for HOPPS and new HCPCS codes will be implemented 1/1/16, no delay Several codes are slated for deletion in 2016 HDR brachytherapy codes and electronic brachytherapy code New codes released by AMA on September 1, 2015

90 APC Restructuring Finalized restructuring of APCs into 9 individual clinical families and based on the following principles: Improved clinical homogeneity; Improved resource homogeneity; Reduced resource overlap in APCs within a clinical family; and Greater simplicity and improved understanding of the structure of the APCs. APCs also renumbered to provide consecutive APC numbers within a clinical family. Every code in same APC is reimbursed the same amount, regardless of complexity of modality.

91 New CY 2016 APC Number New CY 2016 APC Title HCPCS Codes in APC Level 1 Therapeutic Radiation Treatment Preparation Level 2 Therapeutic Radiation Treatment Preparation Level 3 Therapeutic Radiation Treatment Preparation Level 4 Therapeutic Radiation Treatment Preparation Level 1 Radiation Therapy Level 2 Radiation Therapy Level 3 Radiation Therapy Level 4 Radiation Therapy Level 5 Radiation Therapy Level 6 Radiation Therapy Level 7 Radiation Therapy 77299, 77300, 77316, 77331, 77332, & , 77306, & , 77290, 77307, 77317, 77318, 77321, & , 49411, 55876, 77295, & C , 77402, 77407, & T, 77412, 77422, 77600, 77750, & , 77386, 77423, 77470, 77520, 77610, 77615, 77620, & T, 77605, 77763, 77770, 77771, & , & & Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine 79005, 79101, & Brachytherapy sources are in APC that matches the number in HCPCS billing code

92 Comprehensive APCs (C-APC) for SRS Services which are as integral, ancillary, supportive, dependent, and adjunctive to the primary service and reported on the same claim as SRS treatment codes (Cobalt-60 based) or (Linac based) is packaged and not separately reimbursed All ancillary services are reported on the claim to assist in cost reporting for the service in setting C-APC future payments, but not separately reimbursed Upon review of CY 2014 claims data for SRS procedures and the codes ancillary to and issues identified which can and do impact the C-APC for SRS Changes made to C-APC removing codes to be reimbursed separately

93 Cobalt-60 vs. Linac Variances Analysis of CY 2014 claims revealed that billing practices for Cobalt-60 based vs. Linac based technologies varied SRS delivery with Cobalt-60 typically had all services (specifically imaging, simulation, treatment plan and physics services) related to the procedure billed on the same date and claim as the treatment itself. Linac based services were found to have services such as imaging, simulation, treatment plan and physics services reported on different dates of service and separate claims. Services such as simulation and planning reported up to a month prior to Linac based SRS tx on different claim forms Regulation passed in 2013 requires both and be reimbursed the same amount. Changes finalized to account for possible increased reimbursement of linac based services performed over multiple dates vs. Gamma Knife which are performed on single date.

94 C-APC Changes 2016 & 2017 CMS removing some services from the C-APC and provide payment to these separately, even when billed with the SRS treatment code which has a status indicator of J1 in CYs 2016 & 2017 The following codes will be removed from the SRS C-APC and reimbursed separately (up to 30 days prior to tx only), when reported on the same or claim 30 days prior as the SRS treatment code or CT localization (HCPCS codes and 77014); MRI imaging (HCPCS codes 70551, 70552, and 70553); Clinical treatment planning (HCPCS codes 77280, 77285, 77290, & 77295); Physics consultation (HCPCS code 77336) Modifier CP to be reported on above codes when billed for services related in the preparation and delivery of SRS treatment, both Cobalt-60 and Linac based, but only when performed on different date than treatment After collection of data, plan to repackage codes back into C-APC in 2018

95 Hospital OQR Measure for CY 2018 CMS finalized new Hospital Outpatient Quality (OQR) Reporting Measure for CY 2018 and subsequent years specific to Radiation Oncology NQF# 1822, OP-33: External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) for Bone Metastases 2009 Task Force organized by ASTRO assessed existing recommendations for palliative care in order to better address and evaluate any lack of guidelines Established 4 sets of recommendations for treating bone metastases in previously un-irradiated patients Goal is to reduce the rate of EBRT overuse and promote patient safety.

96 Hospital OQR Bone Mets cont. Designed to address concerns with unnecessary exposure to EBRT for bone pain and reduce overuse of EBRT services, also address treatment gaps in the variations of courses used to treat the similar patients Measure to address all patients (all payors) using following dosing schedules 30 Gy over course of 10 fractions 24 Gy over course of 6 fractions 20 Gy over course of 5 fractions Single 8 Gy fraction Measure is not open to following patients Patients who have had previous radiation to the same site; Patients with femoral axis cortical involvement greater than 3 cm in length; Patients who have undergone a surgical stabilization procedure; Patients with spinal cord compression, cauda equina compression, or radicular pain.

97 Initial Simulation with IMRT Course Physicians and freestanding cancer centers cannot bill for initial simulation with course of IMRT in In 2016 hospitals cannot bill for initial simulation with course of IMRT. CMS requested by commenters to address questions about billing for initial simulation with IMRT course for hospitals. CMS cited two sources/transmittals to support their stance that the initial simulation is not billable.

98 Initial Simulation with IMRT Course cont. Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 4, Section Payment for the services identified by CPT codes 77014, , , 77331, 77336, and is included in the APC payment for IMRT planning when these services are performed as part of developing an IMRT plan that is reported using CPT code Under those circumstances, these codes should not be billed in addition to CPT code for IMRT planning.

99 Initial Simulation with IMRT Course cont. National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) guidance in the NCCI Policy Manual for Medicare Services, Chapter 9, page IX Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan (CPT code 77301) includes therapeutic radiology simulation-aided field settings. Simulation field settings for IMRT should not be reported separately with CPT codes through Although procedure-to-procedure edits based on this principle exist in NCCI for procedures performed on the same date of service, these edits should not be circumvented by performing the two procedures described by a code pair edit on different dates of service.

100 Initial Simulation with IMRT Course cont. CMS provided the following statement to support their rationale for this decision. We believe that the types of services included in IMRT treatment planning include simulation we believe CMS longstanding Manual and coding guidance issued in CY 2008 has been precise in conveying its policy and instructions regarding coding for IMRT services and that, generally, IMRT services have been properly reported by hospitals. It is our policy that payments for the services identified by CPT codes through are included in the APC payment for IMRT planning services, and that the services described by these CPT codes should not be reported separately from services described by CPT code 77301, regardless of when the various services that comprise CPT code are performed. If a hospital submits a claim that separately reports services described by one of these simulation CPT codes in addition to separately reporting IMRT planning services that are performed, we would consider this reporting to constitute unbundling of the APC payment, which is prohibited. We will revise and update the Medicare Claims Processing Manual and coding guidance in the near future to ensure that this policy is more directly stated. The clarified coding guidance will state the following: Payment for the services identified by CPT codes 77014, through 77295, through 77321, 77331, and is included in the APC payment for CPT code (IMRT planning). These codes should not be reported in addition to CPT code (on either the same or a different date of service) unless these services are being performed in support of a separate and distinct non-imrt radiation therapy for a different tumor.

101 Initial Simulation with IMRT Course cont. However codes and will continue to be reimbursed the same amount in 2016! A 3D course of treatment does not have the simulation bundled into the planning. The final geometric mean cost of the services described by CPT code is approximately $1,125. CMS stated if the clarification of our coding guidance for IMRT planning services results in a significant change in the geometric mean cost of services described by CPT code in future years, we will consider an alternative APC assignment for the code other than APC 5614.

102 Provider Based Department Changes Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 signed into law 11/2/15 SEC Treatment of Off-campus Outpatient Departments of a Provider references 42 CFR Requirements for a determination that a facility or an organization has provider-based status within the law. MedPAC (Medicare Payment Advisory Commission) concerned that CMS pays varying payments based on location or designation of an entity for the same services and hospitals are acquiring practices to increase payments Procedure in office/freestanding cancer center paid under MPFS Procedure in hospital setting, pay facility fee under HOPPS and professional fee under MPFS, typically results in higher amount paid than just for procedure in an office Procedure in ASC reimbursement is less than if receives same service in a hospital

103 Provider Based Department Changes cont. Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Section 603, effective January 1, 2017 when a service is provided in an off-campus outpatient department of a hospital, unless they were billing as a dept. of the hospital prior to January 1, 2017, CMS will reimburse services under either the MPFS or ASC fee schedule. Off-campus departments billing for services prior to 1/1/17 are exempt, but CMS could change or adjust future rules to add further limitations Hospitals will be required to report as requested per the HHS Secretary info appropriate to implement means of collecting data, which may include use of a modifier or code

104 On-campus vs. Off-campus On-campus vs. off-campus, what s the difference? Per 42 CFR , Campus means the physical area immediately adjacent to the provider's main buildings, other areas and structures that are not strictly contiguous to the main buildings but are located within 250 yards of the main buildings, and any other areas determined on an individual case basis, by the CMS regional office, to be part of the provider's campus. Locations not on-campus are considered off-campus Hospitals need to evaluate their campuses and how they defined the locations with CMS Remote locations of a hospital will be considered on-campus Any new acquisitions or off-campus locations need to be evaluated for financial impact if created after 1/1/17

105 New POS Code for Provider Based POS codes to identify services provided in on-campus outpatient hospital vs. off-campus outpatient hospital New and Revised POS Codes Effective January 1, 2016 Code Descriptor POS 19 Off Campus- Outpatient Hospital Descriptor: A portion of an off-campus hospital provider based department which provides diagnostic, therapeutic (both surgical and nonsurgical), and rehabilitation services to sick or injured persons who do not require hospitalization or institutionalization. POS 22 On Campus- Outpatient Hospital Descriptor: A portion of a hospital s main campus which provides diagnostic, therapeutic (both surgical and nonsurgical), and rehabilitation services to sick or injured persons who do not require hospitalization or institutionalization.

106 Spacer Gel HCPCS Code Prostate Pts. C Injection/implantation of bulking or spacer material (any type) with or without image guidance (not to be used if a more specific code applies); hospitals only Unlisted procedure; physicians and freestanding/offices only Gel billed as A Surgical supply; miscellaneous Hospital packaged into placement Offices paid at invoice cost HCPCS Code Short Descriptor 2015 APC 2015 Nat. Avg. Payment 2016 APC 2016 Nat. Avg. Payment Variance C9743 Bulking/spacer material impl 0310 $1, $2, %