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Articles tagged with "Coding"

Documenting the Patient’s Story: Consider a Scribe

Melesia Tillman, CPC, CRHC, CHA  |  

You probably prefer to spend less time documenting a patient visit and more time actually interacting with the patient, right? If so, you may want to consider hiring a scribe.

Tips for Signature Requirements for CMS

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In an effort to minimize medical fraud and abuse, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the signature guidelines for physicians and medical documentation.

ICD-9 Freeze and ICD-10 Code Update

By Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP  |  

Each year as a part of normal coding process, diagnostic codes are updated to reflect revised, new, and deleted codes through the CMS ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee. Diagnostic code changes and updates are based on information from vendors, physicians, or other health professionals that demonstrate a current code does not adequately describe a disease, sign, or symptom—or simply that the code is no longer appropriate for use.

The Dos and Don’ts of E/M Coding

By Melesia Tillman, CPC, CRHC, CHA  |  

Coding medical procedures and diagnoses can be a daunting task if you are not educated in this field. I am going to break down the rules for evaluation and management (E/M) coding, so take a deep breath and let’s jump in!

2011 CMS e-Prescribing Program: Will You Get Hit with Penalties?

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The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 provides for e-prescribing financial incentives in 2011 and financial penalties in 2012 and 2013. When you successfully e-prescribe and report on 25 patient encounters, you will be eligible to receive a 1% incentive of the total estimated allowed charges for professional services covered by Medicare Part B rendered in 2011. The big news, however, is the payment reductions for those who do not successfully meet e-prescribing reporting requirements that will be applied—1% in 2012 and 1.5% in 2013.

PRACTICE PAGE: The ACR Takes on Insurance Companies

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In response to the increasing demands of medical necessity and denials for approved drugs, the ACR is taking a large step towards protecting the rights of members when dealing with insurance companies.