In 2010, Missouri passed a prompt pay bill for commercial health insurance. This law requires carriers to pay or deny claims within 45 days of receipt, or they face a penalty and interest. It also prohibits insurers from "suspending" claims, which could delay them indefinitely. The legislation was designed to speed up payments to healthcare providers. Delayed payments were especially problematic for rural providers. In 2009, urban hospitals reported that 25% of their claims

If you have questions about Medicaid billing, MO HealthNet offers workshops on filing claims for physicians/clinics, behavioral health, applied behavioral analysis, ambulance, dental, home health, personal care, consumer directed services, and durable medical equipment. The trainings cover a variety of topics, including MO HealthNet program changes, common billing errors, documentation requirements, and CyberAccess. Trainings on the following topics will be held this summer a

Yesterday Governor Nixon signed MARHC's priority telehealth language into law as part of SB 579, sponsored by Sen. Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph). This bill will expand opportunities to serve patients via telehealth in Missouri. Telehealth can be used to improve patient access by reducing barriers to care like geographic distance and the cost of travel. This is especially critical in rural areas, which often lack specialists. This language, originally sponsored by Sen. Gary Romine

Michelle Casey just can’t get enough of rural health. In addition to working as the Director of Clinic Operations for four RHCs and four Provider-Based Clinics and Patient Financial Services at Nevada Regional Medical Center, she serves as President of MARHC’s Board. In her current position with Nevada Regional Medical Center, Michelle oversees the financials of eight clinics, the hospital’s business office, admissions, and central scheduling. She sums up her average workday

UPDATE: Due to scheduling conflicts, CMS postponed the EHR forum indefinitely. We will provide updated information when it is rescheduled. Federal health officials are sponsoring a half-day forum in June about electronic health records and the financial incentives available to health care providers who make the transition. The forum, scheduled for the afternoon of June 16 in Columbia, Mo., is aimed especially at rural providers and small practices in the beginning stages of u

Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers are eligible to receive Mo HealthNet reimbursement for a facility fee when operating as the originating site for telehealth services. Claims must be submitted with HCPCS code Q3014 (telehealth originating site facility fee). Reimbursement will be made at the lesser of the actual charge or $14.75. Provider-based and independent RHCs must continue to bill telehealth services using their non-RHC number when operating as