February 26th 2024
Your weekly dose of wisdom from the Physicians Practice experts.
October 25th 2023
MGMA Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Anders Gilberg, discusses some of what’s the organization is anticipated in the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule.
August 23rd 2023
Collecting money from patients is an ongoing challenge that has only worsened with high-deductible health plans.
July 31st 2023
May 22nd 2023
Incident-to Coding: Physician vs. Non-physician Provider
In this month's coding column, we also feature answers to prolonged services codes and orthopedic ICD-10 codes.
Moving Your Practice Past Industry Benchmarks
Helping to identify how to set up a successful process is the next step beyond settling for simply meeting industry benchmarks.
An Open Letter to Patients
A healthcare professional takes time to address some of the misconceptions patients may have when they present for care.
Are Free-Standing ERs a Rip-Off?
Unaffiliated ERs are becoming popular due to their convenience, but are the high prices worth the level of care?
Paper-Based Billing is Ancient History in Healthcare
Today's practice must be in tune with the reality of healthcare consumer demands, including using electronic billing services.
ACA Replacement Plan Ripped Apart by Medical Groups
Medical groups like the AMA and AHA are against the GOP's Affordable Care Act replacement bill, the AHCA, which faces a long road towards becoming law.
Coding for a Patient That's Not Present
This month's coding column: An elderly patient's grown daughter comes in for an office visit without the patient, is there a code for that?
Insurance Companies are Making Money of Incorrect Denials
A New Year brings us the reality of some insurance plans not being compliant to new changes and never seen before denials.
Top Practice Management Tips of 2016
We compiled our readers' favorite practice management articles from the past year reflecting strategies and best practices.
Who Can Bill Advanced Care Planning Codes?
This month's coding column is about whether or not one or more physicians of different specialties can bill the advanced care planning codes.
Being Excluded from Participating Medicare and Medicaid is a Reality
A New Jersey physician's actions of submitting thousands of false claims to Medicare and Medicaid cost him more than a fine.
CMS Names Costliest Drugs in 2015
CMS released a dashboard that revealed the amount of money spent by the agency on specific drugs. Maryland docs reject medical marijuana.
Five Often-Overlooked Areas of Medical Practice Risk
Physicians are first concerned with treating patients. But they are also business owners. It is a mistake not to review potential areas of risk.
Keeping Medical Practice Overhead Down
In light of rising costs to do business, physicians are looking for ways to cut costs while sustaining quality patient care.
Coding Questions: Collecting Copays from Annual Exams
What are the rules when it comes to completing chart notes after the time of service? Can doctors charge a copay for an annual exam?
As ICD-10 Enters Year Two, Practices Reflect on Transition
It's been one year since ICD-10 has come into effect. How did practices deal with the transition and what's next?
The Evolution of the Medical Biller
Based on the evolution of the field, medical billers have to adapt or they'll find themselves out of a job.
Correct Coding for Vaccine Administration
CPT designates six codes to report vaccine administration. Here's how to make sure you are reporting the correct service and conditions.
9 Tips for Surviving after the ICD-10 Grace Period Ends
While the ICD-10 grace period was relevant to only CMS, there is still work to be done. Here are nine steps practices can take to ensure post Oct. 1, they are ready.
Understanding Global Billing in a Group Practice
This month's coding questions tackle whether physicians in the same group practice in the same specialty have to bill as a single doctor.
4 Payment Technologies to Put on Your Practice Radar
There are four payment technologies to put on your radar as you prioritize plans for upgrades or the installation of new technology. [Sponsored]
Coding for Distraught Psychiatric Patients
Can you code when a patient is so distraught an appropriate history cannot be obtained, nor can a mental status exam be performed?
Patient Collection Strategies that Work for New Plans
If your practice is struggling to collect all that it is due from patients, here's how you can stack the deck in your favor.
Audit Your Medical Practice's Third-Party Vendors
When using third-party vendors for certain practice functions, it's always wise to take a close look at their performance.
Patient Satisfaction Extends to Third-Party Relationships
Good customer service is a hallmark of the successful practice. Don't let third-party vendors give you a black eye.
Vaccine Coding for Patients 19 and Older
How to institute vaccine administration codes for patients who are older than 19 years of age. Also, guidance on follow-up codes in electronic billing.
Coding Requirements for Transitional Care Management
Coding for TCM services should include global periods; dates of service; and correct documentation.
Making the Most of Transitional Care Management
TCM helps patients transition from the hospital to the community. Many physicians, however, miss deserved reimbursement because they lack documentation.
Transparency in Patient Relations Is Best
Patient can be irate when it comes to higher than expected bills. This practice found the best way to address the issue is to be frank.
An Open Letter to Patients About Medical Billing
Patients can understand so little about their health plan that the billing department is automatically blamed when something goes wrong.