Review WellPoint/Anthem Contracts Today: AMA
Physicians who are contracted with WellPoint/Anthem: Review your contracts with the insurer before July 15, warns the American Medical Association (AMA). After today, the company no longer has to...
View ArticleMedPAC Proposes 2011 Medicare Provider Payment Updates
Two months ahead of schedule, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)—an independent congressional agency charged with advising Congress on a wide range of Medicare issues—voted Jan. 15 on...
View ArticleDems Propose Medicare Payment Updates
Only five business days remain before the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 provision that extended the zero percent update to Medicare physician pay rates expires. The American Jobs and Closing Tax...
View ArticleImmunization Administration Points to Ponder for 2011
By Ken Camilleis, CPC, CPC-I, CMRS For 2011, CPT® codes 90465, 90466, 90467, and 90468—used for reporting immunization administration with counseling—are deleted, and replaced by two new codes: 90460...
View ArticleSurvey: Fewer Physicians Are in Private Practice
A recent survey by Accenture concludes that physicians are increasingly moving away from private practice, choosing instead to sell their practices to, or work directly for, health care systems. “Some...
View ArticleBegin Your Own CDI Program
Capture conditions with clear, concise documentation to increase reimbursement and decrease risks. By Karen Stanley, MBA, RN A clinical documentation improvement (CDI) program is a great way to ensure...
View ArticleAHA Forum Will Discuss What’s in Store for Physicians in 2012
The American Hospital Association’s (AHA’s) Physician Leadership Forum will discuss the implications of the current legislative and regulatory environment in Washington during a free webinar Jan. 26 at...
View ArticleMore Solo Practices Embrace EHRs
Medical practices of one or two physicians are the fastest growing adopters of electronic health records (EHRs), according to an ongoing study. American Medical News recently reported EHR adoption in...
View ArticlePhysician Self Referrals and Compliance: What You Should Know
To keep designated health services in the clear, know Stark regulations and their exceptions. By Julie E. Chicoine, Esq., RN, CPC Physicians and their practices are undergoing increased government...
View ArticleE-commerce Provides Patient Ownership in Health Care
With health information available online, the patient/provider relationship is changing. By Ida Landry, CPC The Internet and telephone have become increasingly popular methods for providing medical...
View ArticleLet Documentation Drive Your Coding
Here’s what to do when your provider’s documentation takes a back seat. By Robyn Margani, CPC If it isn’t documented, it wasn’t done. That’s the golden rule of coding. As we’ve all been told again and...
View ArticleWhat Type of ACO Are You?
There are several delivery systems that can evolve into accountable care organizations (ACO). If your practice is looking to take advantage of this new health delivery, cost saving, and revenue model,...
View ArticleProductivity is Key to Financial Success
By Dixon Davis, MBA, MSHA, CPPM The most important factor in achieving financial success in a clinic is productive providers. Higher productivity results in higher revenue, while lower productivity...
View ArticlePhysician Recruitment: Planning Is Crucial
By Dixon Davis, MBA, MSHA, CPPM Planning ahead when hiring new employees is a key human resources skill. When hiring new staff, you typically need a couple weeks of advertising and application...
View ArticleBe an Attractive Candidate for a Hospital Coding Position
By Dorothy Steed, CPA, CPC-H, CPC-I, CEMC, CFPC, CPMA, CHCC, CPUM, CPUR, CPHM, CCS-P, RCC, RMC Be ready if a hospital employment opportunity arises in a facility near you. In our changing health care...
View ArticleBeware of Patients Bearing Gifts
Make sure it’s ethical to accept tokens of appreciation, and have a policy in place if it’s not. By Julie E. Chicoine, Esq., RN, CPC, CPCO The holidays are upon us. The season of giving starts weeks...
View Article“We Need to Talk”
[Added Edge] Cultivate communication with your physician. By Suzan (Berman) Hauptman, MPM, CPC, CEMC, CEDC Let’s talk about the relationship coders have with their physicians. Physician and coder...
View ArticleMPFS Goof Means New Files for Payers
Confusion over the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), which will be implemented April 1, prompted the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to send out new files to payers,...
View ArticleCompare and Contrast Physician and Outpatient Facility Coding
Although very different, editing rules are similar, and it’s important to understand what is appropriate to bill on claims. By Edie Hamilton, CPC, CPC-I The most frequently asked questions throughout...
View ArticleThe Business of Healthcare: A Series (4 of 4)
Disincentives to Physician Autonomy, Innovation, & Necessary Risk-Taking By Stephanie Jones Cecchini, CPC, CEMC, CHISP, ICD-10 Trainer This is the final installment of this four-part series. There...
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