Services & Support
by Wendy Potts

Baha® Fitting Software 6.1 – Quality care, anywhere

May 10, 2023
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By Wendy Potts, Product Manager for Software & Connected Care at Cochlear Americas

Cochlear™ Remote Care is now available in Baha® Fitting Software 6.1. 

We understand you want your patients to receive ongoing and consistent care. However, for some patients, access to care may be limited by geography, mobility, or family and work responsibilities. Other patients may be progressing well, but you would still like to monitor them and provide timely care when they need it. And sometimes patients simply want a quick solution to a problem or the convenience of upgrading to a new processor at home.

Cochlear™ Remote Assist* for Baha® 6 Max Sound Processors allows patients to meet with you remotely via a video appointment, where you can assess and support your patient’s hearing progress without the need for them to visit the clinic. 

Patients can conveniently access remote care through Remote Assist on their compatible smartphone^ at home, at work, or when they’re away.

You can provide care remotely to your adult and pediatric patients in the Baha Fitting Software through a live video, audio, or chat session and can connect to the sound processor for programming.  Once connected, you can complete a full fitting (including BC Direct and Feedback Analyzer), make programming adjustments, enable processor settings and programs, and provide counseling. Any programming changes are saved remotely to the patient’s sound processor.

Baha Fitting Software (BFS) 6.1 features include:

Remote Assist

With Remote Assist, you can offer your patients the convenience of quality hearing care without the need to visit the clinic.  You have the flexibility to manage patient progress remotely and the ability to offer care to more patients, including those who may be limited by location, health, mobility, or work commitments.

Figure 1:  Remote Assist Feature in Baha Fitting Software 6.1

Remote Assist for Baha allows access to all fitting workflows in Baha Fitting Software, including BC Direct and Feedback Analyzer, so you may complete an upgrade or replacement device fitting, fine-tuning, and enable programs and processor/program features. 

Because of this access to the features and tools in the fitting software, Remote Assist for Baha may be used for counseling, follow-up appointments, troubleshooting, and to fit upgrades and replacement devices, so it is very flexible to fit anywhere into your clinical protocol.

Using Remote Assist:

  • Counseling session: to complement the first fitting of a new processor or to address your patient’s questions at any time
  • Follow-up fitting: to substitute an in-clinic session requiring fine-tuning or adding programs
  • Annual visit: to substitute a routine in-clinic check up
  • Troubleshooting: when something unexpected happens and the patient requires assistance
  • Sound processor upgrade fitting: to fit the new processor without the need for the recipient to visit the clinic
  • Replacement device fitting: to program the replacement processor without the need for the recipient to visit the clinic

Online log-in

Log in using your myCochlear Professional login credentials#.  Online login is required to access Remote Assist.

Figure 2: Online Login Screen

Technical Measurements

For clinicians interested in conducting device verification of the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor in conjunction with the Audioscan Verifit Skull Simulator, there is a new Technical Measurement workflow which will set up the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor to allow you to compare the device to the published specification. Technical Measurement settings are not for patient use and will only be temporarily available in the sound processor during verification testing.  To access this new feature, please select “Technical measurement” on the Setup Tab of the Activity Screen.

Figure 3: Technical Measurement Screen

Battery door selection in BC Select

An update to the BC Select choices include indication of which type of battery door is used on the sound processor being fitted (Tamperproof or Standard). The active choice of battery door in the fitting software is expected to be a reminder for the clinician to consider the appropriate battery door. While the battery door selection does not impact the prescription, the fitting software will not move forward with programming until the battery door is selected. Once selected, you may program as usual.

Improvements to Indicators

To ensure that tests are run accurately and completely, there have been improvements in indicators for background noise and low battery.

Background noise indicator

  • When running the Feedback Analyzer, BFS will scan the environment and give a warning if background noise is on a level that could disrupt the measurement.
  • When entering the BC Direct screen BFS will scan the environment and give a warning if background noise is at a level that potentially could affect the outcome of the measurement.

Low battery warning

  • For some actions in the software, it is recommended for the sound processor to have full battery capacity.  In these cases, the software will give a notification if the battery level is low.
  • When using the Reset to Out of box settings, the software requires sufficient battery level. In this case the action will be prevented if the battery level is low.

Usability Enhancements

  • Recalculation or re-prescribe is now triggered only when needed
  • The patient you are connected to and the workflow you are in will be displayed in the header
  • In the footer, a green bar is visible when connected. If disconnected during fitting, the bar will go grey and only the sound processor name will be visible

Advanced Logging

There is now an advanced level of logging that can be set in Baha Fitting Software 6.1 when troubleshooting.  Advanced debug logging collects more information needed for investigation of issues (i.e., errors and steps taken during programming) to send to Cochlear. 

If you would like more information about Baha Fitting Software 6.1, please reach out to your local Cochlear Americas representative or visit the “Software Support” resource section in myCochlear Clinic for the link to register and download BFS 6.1.

*Remote Assist for Baha is intended for a follow-up adjustment or setup of a replacement or upgrade sound processor for suitable qualified patients based on clinical judgment. Clinic must be enrolled in Remote Care to participate. 

^The Baha Smart App works with the Baha 6 Max Sound Processor and compatible Apple and Android devices. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.

#Contact your local Cochlear representative for more information about Cochlear Professional login credentials.

This content is meant for professional use. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information. Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.

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NCCI (National Correct Coding Initiative) edits: the purpose and impact on claims processing

March 21, 2019

Reimbursement

By guest author: Anne Anthony

Has this ever happened to you? You had a full day of clinic appointments performing a variety of professional services for patients. The claims for these appointments were filed and processed, and the remittances or explanations of benefits from the insurance plan stated that some of the services performed were denied “due to NCCI edits”. What does that mean?

NCCI stands for the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI or CCI), which was implemented by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to promote national correct coding methodologies and to control improper coding leading to inappropriate payments for Part B provider claims. When certain codes are submitted together on a single claim, the NCCI code pair edits (known as the Procedure-to-Procedure or PTP code pair edits) are automatically applied during claims processing to prevent improper payment for incorrect code combinations. While certain CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are very specific in the description of a single service, others may describe a procedure that consists of many services. Because these code descriptors may not list every service included in a specific procedure, providers may be unsure when services are considered inherent to the primary, more comprehensive procedure performed during the patient encounter.

CMS publishes tools to help providers avoid coding and billing errors and subsequent payment denials. Along with the NCCI manual, providers may also find the Medicare Learning Network booklet helpful on how to use these tools. The NCCI tables and PTP code pair edits are updated quarterly. These updates help identify services that may be considered a component of the more comprehensive primary service; those that may be mutually exclusive of each other and unlikely to be performed at the same encounter, or those potentially separate and distinct services which may be payable if the use of a modifier is justified.

Now you may be asking, how do I know if a service is considered a component of another service I perform? The PTP code pairs are presented in the NCCI tables with CPT codes under columns labeled Column 1/Column 2 within the PTP code pair tables. When a code pair is submitted on a claim, the Column 1 code may be eligible for payment while the Column 2 code may be denied. In some scenarios, a provider may be eligible for payment of both codes if each service is considered clinically appropriate and an appropriate coding modifier is appended. Modifiers should only be appended if the clinical circumstances justify the use of the modifier and the patient’s medical record includes documentation to support the utilization. Never append modifiers to a CPT code to merely bypass a PTP code pair edit. Rather, indicate that a clinical rationale has been identified and documented. The PTP code pair tables also provide helpful guidance on the appropriate utilization of modifiers, including information on the potential applicability for the code pair, or lack thereof, in the form of a modifier indicator, as shown in the example below.

Table 1

Below is a partial excerpt from the CMS NCCI Practitioner procedure edits table highlighting a few audiology service code pairs. The procedure listed in Column 1 represents a primary service performed, while the procedure in Column 2 represents the subsequent service(s). Whether or not a modifier may be applicable or allowed is shown by the indicator of 0, 1, or 9 in the far right column.

Table 2

PTP Coding Edits

Understanding the nuances of reimbursement is only one aspect in building a sustainable practice. Cochlear offers support to providers to help navigate these areas. Please visit the Cochlear Reimbursement Solutions website to identify your Cochlear Regional Reimbursement Manager or call the Cochlear Coding Support Program at 1 800 587 6910 for additional information.

About our guest author:

Anne Anthony is one of three geographically-based hearing implant reimbursement experts available to assist you with coding, payment, payer coverage, contracting, and other reimbursement related challenges. Anne’s contact information, along with that of her colleagues and a more detailed description of the reimbursement support offered by Cochlear’s Regional Reimbursement team, can be found on the Reimbursement Support page of Cochlear’s US Professional Resources Website. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Reimbursement Manager associated with your geography for reimbursement assistance or for questions related to this article. Cochlear offers coding assistance through the Coding Support Line accessible by calling 1-800-587-6910 between the hours of 8 AM – 3 PM Mountain time zone or via email at codingsupport@cochlear.com. For pre-surgical insurance support, OMS is available to assist with pre-authorizations and appeals and can be reached at 1-800-633-4667 option 4.

This information is provided as a set of guidelines only to address the unique nature of implantable hearing solutions technology and is not intended as legal advice. There is no guarantee that following these guidelines will result in any form of coverage or reimbursement from any insurance company or federal health care program payer. The information presented herein is subject to change at any time and may become outdated. This information cannot and does not contemplate all situations that the health care professional/provider may encounter. To be sure that you have the most current and applicable information available for your unique circumstances, please consult your own coding advisors and payers to verify that the information provided herein is applicable to your needs. Seek your own legal advice regarding your reimbursement needs and the proper implementation of these guidelines. All products should be used according to their labeling. In all cases, services billed must be medically necessary, actually performed, and appropriately documented in the medical record.
Benefits

Help your patients maximize 2021 insurance benefits with Cochlear

August 25, 2021

Maximizing 2021 insurance benefits

We’re past the half-year mark— it’s a great time to remind your patients about potentially using their 2021 insurance benefits to upgrade their Cochlear sound processor. Our newest technologies, the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7, Kanso® 2 and the Baha® 6 Max Sound Processors are designed with your patients’ needs in mind.

Encourage your patients and their caregivers to plan ahead. The insurance approval process can take 6-8 weeks and benefit qualification by the patient’s insurance company is dependent on when the order is shipped from Cochlear, not when the order is placed. Insurance companies require replacement order claim submissions in 2021 to ship by the end of the year, and the last day that Cochlear will be shipping orders is December 30, 2021. We recommend placing replacement sound processor orders no later than October 29, 2021. †

Cochlear is here to help

Reimbursement and Insurance Services at Cochlear helps your patients through the insurance reimbursement process. Our Insurance Support Center provides helpful resources for your patients. We will work with you to determine medical necessity and collect all documentation needed to bill your patient’s insurance directly for their sound processor upgrade.1

Parts and accessories

Did you know Cochlear provides direct insurance billing for covered parts and accessories, such as rechargeable batteries, coils and cables, for many contracted private insurance plans as well as Medicare, many state Medicaid plans (including HMOs), and TRICARE?2, ‡ 

Patients have the option to shop in insurance mode, where they will see only parts and accessories that are generally covered by insurance, on the online Cochlear Store.  In insurance mode, they can place orders and bill them directly to their insurance if they are covered by a plan that is contracted with Cochlear.3

†Orders placed on or before October 29, 2021 are not guaranteed to be approved by an insurer or shipped on or before December 30, 2021, the last available shipping date to meet the insurance deadline. Placing an order through Cochlear’s Reimbursement and Insurance Services does not imply approval from an insurance carrier.

Information for patients:

1. Information provided by Cochlear Americas regarding insurance coverage or reimbursement is provided as guidance only and is not intended as reimbursement or legal advice. Cochlear Americas makes no representation or warranty regarding such information or its completeness, accuracy, fitness for a particular purpose, or that following such guidance will result in any form of coverage or reimbursement from any insurer. Information presented is subject to change at any time. To be sure that you have the most current and applicable information available for your unique circumstances, please consult your own experts and seek your own legal advice regarding your reimbursement needs. In all cases, products or services billed must be medically necessary, actually performed and appropriately documented in the medical record. You will be responsible for paying any applicable coinsurance, deductible, or amounts not covered by your insurance to Cochlear. Coverage determinations and out-of-pocket costs may vary for individuals with private insurance.

2. As of Feb 1, 2018, Cochlear provides direct insurance billing support for many major private insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid‡ (including HMOs) and Tricare for repairs, parts and accessories. Cochlear’s full-service billing support is available for recipients who are covered under one of the plans with whom Cochlear is contracted. If you would like to place an order for a replacement part or accessory, please keep in mind orders may take up to 2 weeks to process and ship, so please plan ahead.

‡Cochlear is currently enrolled with Medicaid programs in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.

3. Please keep in mind, if you choose to self-pay today, you may not be able to submit a claim to your insurance on your own if Cochlear is contracted with your private insurance provider. Visit https://www.Cochlear.com/US/insurancelist to see if Cochlear is contracted with your insurance provider. If Cochlear is contracted with your insurance provider, we suggest placing your order through Cochlear’s Reimbursement and Insurance Services.

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©Cochlear Limited 2024. All rights reserved. ACE, Advance Off-Stylet, AOS, Ardium, AutoNRT, Autosensitivity, Baha, Baha SoftWear, BCDrive, Beam, Bring Back the Beat, Button, Carina, Cochlear, 科利耳, コクレア, 코클리어, Cochlear SoftWear, Contour, コントゥア, Contour Advance, Custom Sound, DermaLock, Freedom, Hear now. And always, Hugfit, Human Design, Hybrid, Invisible Hearing, Kanso, LowPro, MET, MP3000, myCochlear, mySmartSound, NRT, Nucleus, Osia, Outcome Focused Fitting, Off-Stylet, Piezo Power, Profile, Slimline, SmartSound, Softip, SoundArc, True Wireless, the elliptical logo, Vistafix, Whisper, WindShield and Xidium are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Cochlear group of companies. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

 

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

 

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