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How OCR leadership changes could escalate HIPAA enforcement

09/08/2025

The appointment of Paula M. Stannard in early June as director of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) signals a return to assertive legal interpretation and enforcement of HIPAA, one steeped in institutional history and a broad view of federal oversight, according to compliance experts.

Counter anti-vaccine publicity with facts and respect

09/08/2025

by: Roy Edroso

Question: Normally we have a fall immunization drive with posters and patient reminders. But the subject seems politically fraught these days. Should we just keep silent about it and let our patients make their own decisions without our input?

Solve common errors in skin substitute claims

09/08/2025

by: HCPro staff

One of the most common errors seen in skin substitute claims is the inappropriate application of drug waste modifiers.

As telehealth use slips, some states drop faster than others

09/08/2025

by: Julia Kyles, CPC

For the second year in a row, one-quarter of eligible Medicare patients took advantage of the expanded telehealth benefits, according to the latest telehealth trends and utilization report from CMS.

Patients challenging you with misinformation? Tread lightly.

08/25/2025

by: Roy Edroso

A subject that doesn’t often come up in physician satisfaction studies is the impact of social media on the doctor-patient relationship. But as shown by a recent survey, some physicians are worried about how it’s affecting their patients’ health care choices. Experts offer advice on how to handle difficult situations that may arise from that — and how to protect yourself if you decide to counter misinformation online yourself.

Patients threaten bad review to get favors? Maybe cut a deal.

08/25/2025

by: Roy Edroso

If a patient threatens to place bad reviews unless your physician does them a favor, assess the threat rationally — and, if it seems cost-effective, consider cutting a deal.

Navigate CPT Appendix S: AI taxonomy for medical services, procedures

08/25/2025

by: JoAnn Baker, CCS, CPC, COC CPC-I

With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented intelligence enabled health care, the AMA provided guidance outlined in the CPT Manual’s Appendix S taxonomy for describing and classifying various AI applications.

2026 outlook: Proposed fee winners, losers reveal sharp ups and downs

08/25/2025

by: Richard Scott

You’ll find multiple procedural and radiology codes on the list of services projected for the largest year-to-year pay increases under the proposed 2026 Medicare physician fee schedule, including 53854 (Transurethral destruction of prostate tissue; by radiofrequency generated water vapor thermotherapy) and 75894-26 (Transcatheter therapy, embolization, any method, radiological supervision and interpretation).

See why it’s vital to capture history and exam during E/M encounters

08/25/2025

by: HCPro staff

Question: What role do the history and exam play in determining the level of an evaluation and management (E/M) service? Are they optional?

Prescription Rx management documentation must show MDM, risk

08/18/2025

by: Julia Kyles, CPC

Make sure your providers are showing the mental work that goes into evaluating the risk associated with a medication before you count it toward the risk element of an E/M visit that is coded based on medical decision-making (MDM).

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