September 22nd 2023
Experts agree that when it comes to combatting the opioid crisis, physicians need to shift their mindset and start focusing on data integrity.
September 20th 2023
Automation can play a large role in your coding strategy.
September 7th 2023
New diagnosis definitions for the 2023 E/M codes.
September 5th 2023
Your weekly dose of wisdom from the Physicians Practice experts.
September 1st 2023
Can you tell the difference between an annual physical exam and an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)?
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.
Coding for Moderate Sedation is Different in 2017
Revised codes and coding guidelines for 2017 completely change reporting for moderate sedation services. Here's what you have to know.
Independent Physicians Struggle to Get Paid Equally
The 2016 Physicians Practice Fee Schedule Survey reveals how much more employed docs get paid than independent physicians for certain CPT codes.
5 Specialties with the Highest Denial Rate in 2016
A new infographic from RemitDATA reveals which five specialties and five procedures had the highest denial rate in 2016, as well as the five most common reasons why.
2016 Fee Schedule Survey Results
What do practices get paid for common codes? The results to the 2016 Fee Schedule Survey, featuring more than 1,100 respondents from across the country, provide the answers.
The Most Significant Update to the 2017 CPT Manual
This month's coding column is on the biggest change to the 2017 CPT manual and billing related to depression and alcohol misuse screening.
Five Documentation Tips that Reduce Audit Risk
It's never been more important to make sure your medical record documentation is complete, accurate, and complies with federal guidelines.
When Payers Underpay You: What is Your Recourse?
Do you trust insurance companies to pay you properly and according to contract requirements? If so, review your EOBs from your payers, today.
Get Serious About Coding Compliance in 2017
It's time to get serious about your compliance plan for improper coding and billing issues and overpayments. Here are five actions to take.
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.
Coding E&M for Preventive Services
This month's coding column looks at whether or not you can count addressing routine chronic conditions without a change in plan of care as E&M.
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.
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?
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.
Can an Attending Physician Attest to an NP Consult?
In the world of coding, here's why an attending physician is not really allowed to attest to an NP consult. Also, what are comparative billing reports?
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?
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.
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.
What States Make Patients Pay Out of Pocket the Most?
What state allows for almost 50 percent patient responsibility? Also, which services have the highest percentage of patient responsibility?
Coding for Coordination of Patient Care
Physicians who spend significant time coordinating a patient's care may realize reimbursement in several ways.
Medicare Consult Denials; Coding for Unusual Services
Our coding expert discusses what to do when Medicare denies a consult code; preparation for Medicare chart audits; and coding for unusual services.
The Case to Ignore "Incident to" Billing for PA Services
Here's why you should ignore "Incident to" Billing for PA services, which require a significant amount of additional work without a fair return in revenue.
Coding for Advanced Care Planning
Answers from our coding expert on questions regarding advance care planning; pessary cleaning; and identifying inclusive codes.
Payer-Based Audits are Often a Waste of Time for Docs
While some payer-based investigations into fraud might be based on actual patterns of abuse, most are just an attempt to recoup funds.
How Practices Are Faring with ICD-10 at Six Months
Was the fear and trepidation surrounding ICD-10 overstated or is the early success around a lack of denials only temporary for providers?
One Practice's ICD-10 Experiences at Six Months