E/M coding and “aiding and abetting”?
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone I hope you have a great day and safe travels. This post is a follow up to yesterday s. Suppose you have a physician who is... Read More >
Look for outliers when auditing E&M coding
When you know you ve earned your reimbursement appropriately, don t surrender to the well-publicized threat of compliance hassles and possible fines that too often nudge physicians toward downcoding services.... Read More >
Be sure to update your coding resources !!
It s that time again and I shouldn t have to reminde everyone but it s time again to order your new coding books for . We all know how... Read More >
CMS Releases Final Rule for New ASC Payment System
CMS on Nov. released its highly anticipated final rule establishing the payment rates for services provided in ASCs in . This finalizes the proposed rule that was issued in August... Read More >
Interviewing physician extenders
Interview a physician extender almost the same way you would interview a physician. Diplomas, credentials, and r sum s tell much of the technical story, so focus on issues like... Read More >
“Stand in the Shoes” Rule Delayed for One Year
nbsp From the health care department of the Nossaman law firm http www.nossaman.com On November , , the Centers for Medicare amp Medicaid Services CMS announced it will delay the... Read More >
Billing & collection newsletter for physician offices
Medical Office Billing amp Collections Alert says it can help you stay at the top of your field with time-saving tips and problem-solving advice to decrease denials, increase reimbursements, and... Read More >
Always track front desk collection efforts
Track over-the-counter collection i.e., getting patients to pay before leaving the office success by regularly setting a goal based on the in-office collection ratio. Obtain this number by taking each... Read More >
Elimination of Stark “On-Site” Interpretation Requirement
From the American Health Lawyers Association Under the current Stark rules, the exception for professional interpretation services when the referring physician has an investment interest in the entity to which... Read More >
2008 modifier revisions
Modifier will be revamped to say it should be used for increased procedural services. The new description says modifier may be used when the work required is substantially greater than... Read More >
Consider adding one more hour of patient visits
If you have patients waiting to be seen perhaps scheduled weeks or months ahead consider the economics of adding one hour to your office visit schedule. The resulting extra take-home... Read More >
Physician A/R and credit balances
When printing an aging of accounts receivable, credit balances are included unless the computer is told not to include them. When was the last time you printed an aging of... Read More >
Upcoming seminar – 2008 CPT Update
HcPro is putting on an audioconference on November th on the new and revised CPT codes. There are new CPT codes for and revisions. Go to this link for more... Read More >
401(k) Tips Available on IRS Website
The IRS has developed tips on how to identify, correct and avoid common errors in administering 401(k) plans. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/401k_mistakes.pdf Read More >
Proposed 10.1% cut in Medicare payments – Ouch
nbsp The Centers for Medicare amp Medicaid Services will cut Medicare physician payment . percent unless Congress intervenes. MGMA is partnering with the American Medical Association AMA and national medical... Read More >
Is the end of physician owned hospital near?
I am here is Las Vegas speaking at the AICPA National Healthcare Conference tough job but someone has to do it The keynote speaker, a prominent attorney in Washington DC,... Read More >
Medicare final rule announces 2008 physician fee schedule
nbsp The Centers for Medicare amp Medicaid Services CMS today issued a final physician payment rule designed to improve accuracy of Medicare payments and give physicians and health care professionals... Read More >
Conspiracy Case Brought by Specialty Hospital Against Hospitals and Insurers Will Proceed to Trial
A U.S. district court judge in Kansas has found that sufficient evidence exists for -bed Heartland Spine amp Specialty Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas, to proceed with its antitrust lawsuit... Read More >
Use telephone policies to reduce malpractice liability
Many malpractice claims are linked to patient dissatisfaction and communication lapses. Therefore, telephone triage, telephone advice, prescription refills, and after-hours calls can be areas of risk for office practices. Practices... Read More >
The world is changing–fast–and medical groups will need to adapt
nbsp MGMA Extreme Challenges Rick Johnson, for HealthLeaders News, Oct , The world is changing fast and medical groups will need to adapt, says James Canton, PhD. He kicked off... Read More >
Allocate malpractice insurance cost directly to doctors
nbsp Worried that a financial crisis will find its way into your practice? Worried about rising malpractice premiums? nbsp If you practice in a group that doesn t already allocate... Read More >
Five steps to help uncover false information on employment applications
nbsp As many as percent of applicants for all types of jobs make unjustified claims, exaggerate or omit important information on their resumes or applications. When checking references and verifying... Read More >
OIG Advisory Opinion on private ambulance service
From David Harlow s healthcare blog The OIG posted an October advisory opinion regarding private ambulance service support for county expenses incurred in connection with prehospital care and transportation provided... Read More >
Anesthesia Services Fees: 2007 Survey Results
For you anesthesia people out there, the ASA published the National Managed Care Conversion Factor http www.asahq.org Newsletters - pracMgmt .html in the July issue of their newsletter and on... Read More >
FMLA and pregnant employees
Can an employer count leave taken due to pregnancy complications against the weeks of FMLA leave for the birth and care of an employee s child? Yes. An eligible employee... Read More >
IRS: Cell phones provided to physicians and employees by the medical practice
In an information letter addressed to U.S. Representative Dennis Moore, an IRS Branch Chief discussed the proper tax treatment of employer-provided cell phones. An employer can exclude the value of... Read More >
Consider creating your own physician policy manual
The larger the medical group, the more likely you are to have a staff manual but just as important is having a written physician policy manual as well. As practices... Read More >
Are your employees HIPAA trained? – a real life example
The following was posted on a listserv yesterday which begs the question Are your practice employees trained in all facets of HIPAA? Have you provided them with the appropriate education... Read More >
Speaking of retirement planning-2008 Pension Plan Limitations
The IRS announced cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for pension plans and related amounts for . Some amounts change due to cost-of-living adjustments, while others are Code-required changes. For... Read More >
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As a top advisor to physicians, I help increase practice profits by delivering hands-on, expert medical accounting/tax support, practice counsel, and revenue-building strategies. Read More >
