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2020 fee schedule confirms E/M overhaul, updated rates, new codes and more

11/11/2019

The vast reshaping of E/M documentation standards and payment changes took a significant step closer to reality as CMS put a stamp of approval on its previous proposals to overhaul how medical practices report office and outpatient E/M services in 2021.

Clouds clearing: CDC issues official coding guidance for vaping injuries, illness

11/11/2019

by: James Dresbach

Now that some of the smoke has cleared, you’ll discover new coding guidance from the CDC on how to track and report illnesses, injuries and deaths linked to the emerging public health crisis of e-cigarette use, or vaping. Altogether, you’ll find 30 ICD-10-CM codes and additional guidance to fill in previous gaps when coding such encounters.

Smoking cessation codes use grows – and so do denials

11/11/2019

by: Roy Edroso

As new coding guidelines emerge for vaping and e-cigarette use, you may find it instructive to look at how the codes for treatment for non-electronic smoking have fared over the years. In short, practices have ramped up activity but denial rates have increased, too.

As regulations pile up, practices demand burden reduction, simplification

11/04/2019

by: Jim Dresbach

Your colleagues are sharing their dissatisfaction with a range of regulatory burdens, including insurance approval measures and federal quality programs, that cost medical practices time and money and equate to less attention and care they can provide to patients.

Watch for signs that malpractice, or the threat of it, has your providers on edge

11/04/2019

by: Roy Edroso

Stay on guard against the emerging condition known as medical malpractice stress syndrome (MMSS), which can reduce providers’ self-esteem and boost their use of wasteful defensive medicine.

Capture the most specific ICD-10-CM codes to report opioid use disorders

11/04/2019

by: Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC

Understanding how to document and code for opioid use and abuse is critical to ensure accurate provider reimbursement. Also, remember that clinical data on opioid use is collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and other medical agencies to support research on strategies for preventing opioid misuse, treating opioid use disorders and managing pain.

Treating patients in the parking lot: You can, but proceed with caution

11/04/2019

by: Roy Edroso

Question: I saw a TV news story recently about how a doctor in Massachusetts treated patients in a parking lot when a power outage made her office unusable. “One patient, I saw in the car,” the doctor said. Was that a good idea? Shouldn’t they have sent their patients to another practice or rescheduled?

Practices cite prior authorizations, QPP as most burden-inducing regs, survey finds

11/04/2019

by: Jim Dresbach

The past three regulatory burden surveys from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) point to prior authorizations, Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) and audits and appeals as the biggest culprits in draining money and time from medical practices.

Final 2020 Medicare physician fee schedule

11/01/2019

by: DecisionHealth staff

This major final rule aligns the E/M coding and payment with changes recommended by the CPT Editorial Panel and AMA RUC for office/outpatient E/M visits. The final rule also adds services to the telehealth list and updates payment policies, payment rates and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare physician fee schedule on or after Jan. 1, 2020.

Modifier 22 Decision Tree

11/01/2019

Modifier 22 indicates "increased procedural services." Incorporate the tips below and click the "Download file" link above to access a modifier 22 decision tree.

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