Physicians Practice Pearls®

This month’s Coding Q&A features questions from a physician coding for time spent with hospital patients, and another wondering if there is another way to code for medical reconciliation outside of Transitional Care management codes.

More staff may actually be a more reliable path to a more profitable practice.

An unexpected side effect of COVID19 is a significant rise in identity theft and related cybercrimes. Here are the most common traps to look out for and a response plan in case it happens to you or someone you know.

A trifecta of healthcare cybersecurity issues should cause healthcare industry participants to assess their current environments.

More than 500 individuals affected; five new enforecement actions published.

With the election around the corner the country may be in for some significant legal and political changes that can affect physician’s assets.

Will physicians lose credit for assessing problems when a specialist is involved in their care? Also, documentation required to support AWV's and problem visits in the same encounter.

Working from home can lead to casual conduct, posing compliance risks for your organization.

Elizabeth Woodcock explains the policies surrounding telemedicine, as well as what services are reimbursable and how payment is received.

Discomfort or trepidations aside, you’ll have to answer these tough, but inevitable, questions.

Elizabeth Woodcock outlines her best practices for setting up telemedicine services from an administrative perspective, while emphasizing that it is never too late to get in the game.

HIPAA settlement and new guidelines shed light on government enforcement policies.

If your practice doesn't already have a strategic growth plan, make one

A bare minimum checklist for your business.

Ensure compliance with state and federal laws before offering wellness services to remedy COVID complications.

Should providers should include notes in an EMR so insurance companies see CC statement? CMS vs CPT Code Book hospital admission coding. Plus, a clarification on guidelines when coding for telehealth visits.

Three predictable and recurring legal and financial risks physicians face when holding informal jointly-owned with extended family.

Employers should continue to enforce all recommended COVID precautions within the practice and remain vigilant of changes in state and federal laws.

To avoid potential conflict, patients should be provided advance notice of your policy to avoid surprise and embarrassment.

Mask policies that may increase compliance and reduce risk and conflict.

Can multiple services from different providers be mixed or combined and billed together? Also, what are the rules for adding HCC codes at the end of your note?

Two recent cases, one settled and one just filed, are illustrative of the effects of class actions, which are filed in relation to an underlying data breach involving PHI.

If you are a physician practice owner who is considering a merger at some point, it is vital to learn more about this process early in the game.

Recommendations for every practice to consider.

Systemic racism is also a public health issue.

Can provider types be mixed or combined and billed together? And does standard advice exist for determining telepsychiatry codes for various providers?

Layers of specialty liability insurance are a vital part of your risk management and asset protection plans.

The basics of a diversified asset protection plan.