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CMS gives green light to unbundling casting, screening, ER services

06/20/2016

Get up to speed on the latest code bundles that impact casting, lung-cancer screening and vision screening services, among hundreds of others. The latest Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits contained in the version 22.2 update go into effect July 1.

CCI Version 22.2 scorecard

06/20/2016

by: Richard Scott

The Correct Coding Initiative version 22.2 quarterly edits bundle more than 1,100 codes. FInd the totals per series.

3 ways to protect your practice’s cash flow in the new payer environment

06/20/2016

by: Maureen West McCarthy, CPA

With increasing out-of-pocket patient financial responsibility and the increasing number of high deductible health plans (HDHPs), medical practices are experiencing cash flow shortages.

Get special templates for TCM/CCM phone notes — or improvise — to save time

06/20/2016

by: Roy Edroso

Question: What’s the best way to put phone calls that count toward chronic care management (CCM) or transitional care management (TCM) into the electronic health record (EHR)?

Common casting codes return fewer denials but rates remain high

06/20/2016

by: Richard Scott

Providers saw modest improvement in denial rates for common casting codes in the 29000 series, yet denials still account for millions in lost reimbursement.

Brief: False Claims Act penalties to nearly double

06/20/2016

Last year’s budget agreement increased the penalty amounts that can be imposed for civil monetary penalties, including those imposed for False Claims Act violations.

5 scenarios when you shouldn't report modifier 24 after a surgery

06/13/2016

by: Richard Scott

Avoid common pitfalls when you code for services that occur during a global surgical period by knowing when to use modifier 24 – and, just as importantly, knowing when to avoid using it, such as the event of a wound complication.

Conduct a mid-year check to make sure you’re on target for PQRS success

06/13/2016

by: Julia Kyles

As the year’s mid-point approaches, you need to be certain your quality plan is on track. If you don’t, the best-case scenario for practices that let their quality efforts flag is a mad, and possibly expensive, scramble to report through a registry.

Labor ups minimum salary level for overtime exemption

06/13/2016

by: Josh Poltilove

In the wake of a U.S. Department of Labor final rule released May 18, practices must examine exempt employees’ current salaries to figure out how many people on their workforce will be above the salary threshold when the rule takes effect Dec. 1.

Prepare for Zika encounters with a coding plan, staff education

06/13/2016

by: Richard Scott

While the current status of the Zika virus is more potential than pandemic, the smart move is to plan ahead and get ready to code for Zika-related encounters and educate your staff so you’re prepared to quell any patient fears.

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