Before the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting gets started in Chicago in October, the ACR’s pre-meeting practice management and coding courses offer an intensive educational opportunity. The Oct. 19–20 sessions, ACR Coding Course: Unlock the Mysteries of Advanced Coding for Rheumatology and Practice Management: Putting the Pieces Together—Winning Strategies for Rheumatology Practices, are the industry’s premier events dedicated to advancing the coding journey and exploring the challenges in rheumatology practices.
With a keynote address from nationally recognized industry experts and roundtable discussions, participants will gain insight and hands-on training across a range of presentations on coding and billing best practices, revenue management and thriving in a value-based payment system. The sessions consist of interactive presentations with real-world examples, which provide critical insights into the front and back end of practice management, along with advanced networking opportunities.
Day 1—ACR Coding Course
On Friday, Oct. 19, ACR practice staff Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP, and Melesia Tillman, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CHA, will delve into defining documentation risk areas when reporting evaluation and management (E/M) services and provide insights on how to improve them, demonstrate how to comply with coding and payer rules when coding rheumatology procedures, and review real-life charts on what payers are looking for when auditing rheumatology services. They will also closely examine the gray areas of coding, documentation and billing. Lastly, because the demands of risk adjustment coding are complex and failure to comply can be costly, Ms. Chung and Ms. Tillman will illuminate proper coding methodology and medical necessity, as well as explain how to adapt rheumatology coverage policies in the reimbursement process.
Day 2—Practice Management Course
The key to a successful rheumatology practice is providing the best medical care while running an office efficiently through best business practices. Gain the tools needed to influence change at the practice management course on Saturday, Oct. 20, as the nation’s leading experts in practice management tackle key areas, such as practice models and alignment strategies, building real-time analytics for practice improvement, and negotiating and managing payer contracts like a pro. Presenters include Owen Dahl, MBA, FACHE, LSSMBB, who has over 43 years of experience in consulting and managing medical practices. He is the author of several top-selling titles on various aspects of medical practice and business management, which include Think Business! Medical Practice Quality, Efficiency, Profits, second edition, and The Medical Practice Disaster Planning Workbook, and co-authored Lean Six Sigma for The Medical Practice.
