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06/29/2026
Two of the key things to understand about coding for the removal of cerumen, commonly referred to as earwax, is that the code assignment is based on whether the cerumen is impacted and which type of procedure is used.
06/29/2026
Clearing blocked cerumen, or ear wax, is far more frequently performed using instrumentation than water irrigation, and providers report millions of the cerumen-removal services per year.
06/22/2026
While you and your team prepare for the new ICD-10-CM codes that will go into effect Oct. 1, make sure you’re also ready for changes to coding instructions for existing codes. For example, you’ll find new clarifying terms and changes to Excludes notes. These revisions can speed coding and reduce denials but they’re easy to overlook.
06/22/2026
CMS has been pushing hard to get stakeholders, including providers, up to speed on prior authorization automation before a key deadline hits on Jan. 1. Payers have been at the forefront of this, but with its “Early Adopters” program, the agency is also enlisting health IT companies and provider groups to help move the ball forward. The agency seeks more such groups to step up.
06/22/2026
The plague of violence at medical practices against staff and patients shows no sign of abating. Make sure your due-diligence security protocols are in place and look at some recent innovations if you feel the need to strengthen your perimeter.
06/22/2026
Reciprocal billing arrangements and fee-for-time services, popular with providers in summer-vacation season and requiring a modifier to pass through claims adjudication, run the gamut in denial rates by specialty.
06/15/2026
Take note of the differences between the proposed and final versions of the ICD-10-CM code set. The ICD-10-CM Coordination & Maintenance Committee added six new codes that describe a personal history of gender transition (Z87.8901-Z87.8909 and Z87.893) that were not featured in the April release of the proposed codes.
 
06/15/2026
A case involving two entities that often manage medical practices taken over by private equity firms — the management services organization (MSO) and the professional corporation (PC) — raises concerns that other such practices may be vulnerable to stronger, even disastrous, legal and regulatory oversight and discipline.
06/15/2026
Medically unlikely edits (MUE) can trigger denials of otherwise flawless claims and in some cases the denials can’t be appealed. Give staff the new batch of MUEs for procedure codes that were introduced this year.
06/15/2026
Question: What are some tips for properly documenting E/M visits as it relates to medical decision-making (MDM), particularly when it comes to improving communication with providers?

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