Often, a seemingly routine preventive visit or minor surgery can take an unexpected turn when a patient mentions a new concern, such as “Oh, by the way…” If a physician provides additional care beyond the originally scheduled service, you may be able to bill for a separate evaluation and management (E/M) service using modifier 25. […]
Medicare Telehealth Policy Changes are set to reshape the landscape of telehealth services. As the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, Medicare will revert to pre-pandemic policies, imposing stricter rules for telehealth services starting January 1, 2025, unless Congress intervenes. Key changes include: Geographic Restrictions: Patients must generally live in a health professional shortage area, a […]
The constant updates in medical codes and evolving payer regulations, healthcare providers are increasingly turning to external coding audits. This blog post explores the importance of external coding audits, benefits, and how they support the healthcare industry in minimizing compliance risks, improving revenue integrity, and enhancing operational efficiency. 1. What Is an External Coding Audit? […]
The growing U.S. wound care market, fueled by an aging population and rising rates of chronic conditions, presents significant opportunities for healthcare providers. Accurate debridement coding is essential to maximize reimbursement and optimize patient care. Pressure injuries alone affect around 2.5 million Americans each year, leading to more than 60,000 deaths and costing between $9.1 […]
The CPT license to use CPT codes is required for accessing the CPT code set, which is developed and maintained by the AMA as the standard medical language for reporting procedures and services in the US. This system is used by both public and private health insurance programs. CPT codes are also used for administrative […]
Accurate medical coding and billing are essential components of a healthcare practice’s financial health. When codes for procedures and diagnoses are recorded correctly, providers can receive timely reimbursements for the services they deliver. However, Prevent coding and billing errors can lead to claim denials, delays in payments, and increased administrative burden This blog post will […]
Modifier 50 is used to indicate that a procedure or service was performed on both sides of the body during the same operative session. It’s essential to use this modifier correctly to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement. Key points for appropriate use: Bilateral Procedures: The procedure must be performed on identical, opposing structures (e.g., eyes, […]
Discover the October HCPCS Level II Code Set Update: October 2024 HCPCS Level II code set will receive a quarterly update, introducing 32 new drug and biological codes. Additionally, five codes will be deleted, and five others will undergo revisions. Let’s explore what’s in store. New HCPCS Level II Codes The Centers for Medicare & […]
The Role of Medical Codes in Reimbursement Methodologies: Medical codes, such as CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 (CM and PCS), are essential components of various reimbursement methodologies. The Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS), used by Medicare fee-for-service, categorizes patient stays into Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs) based on ICD-10 codes processed through a computerized system. […]
H5N8 Avian Influenza Vaccine: The American Medical Association (AMA) has updated the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set to include new codes for vaccines protecting against the H5N8 strain of avian influenza. This update follows a recent global outbreak of avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, which has affected wild birds, poultry, dairy cows, and […]