Don’t Count on The EHR For Billing Codes Electronic health records have a function, which practices can turn on or off, that suggests level of service codes based on documentation. But that’s only part of what goes into proper coding. It’s difficult for an EHR to determine the impact of things like risk, according to […]
The focus on electronic health record implementation has turned to how to make use of the vast data stored within to improve revenue cycle operations. “These EHRs capture so much data. The trick is translating that data into information,” said Cynthia Sikina, vice president of Financial Services with consulting firm Afia. The EHR is not providing […]
Complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) include early death and heart disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 15 percent of United States adults, or 37 million people, according to a recent statement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The following are some basic facts about CKD; specifically, it is: More common […]
Data security is now one of the top aspects of healthcare technology. It can make or break patient satisfaction and institutional reputation. Healthcare providers have a professional obligation not only to care for their patients’ health but also to protect their patients’ data. Cyber crime is on the rise against the sector because healthcare providers […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a policy change modification to the claims processing logic for Modifier 59 Distinct procedural service (and the optional patient-relationship modifiers XE, XS, XP, and XU) on February 15, 2019. These modifiers are only processed when applied to the Column 2 code in a bundled pair, per Correct Coding Initiative […]
A frequent knock on electronic health records has been that they’re just glorified billing systems that fail to provide enough clinical functionality to make a significant difference in quality of care. So it’s somewhat incongruous that a recent Black Book report on revenue cycle management (RCM) system adoption would say that 26 percent of hospitals […]
Cryptocurrency benefits medical billing services, and in turn healthcare staff and patients, in so many ways. Here’s what to know A cryptocurrency is a decentralized virtual or digital currency that’s used as a medium of exchange for using particular products/services. It is like normal currencies but it also facilitates the exchange of digital information. Counterfeiting cryptocurrency is difficult […]
Controversy continues to swirl around this subject. A recent article of mine focused on the argument that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have to follow the two-midnight rule. It certainly generated buzz; I received a number of emails with comments and questions. First, I want to note that I love getting comments and questions. I can’t […]
Undercoding, or reporting a lesser service than was performed and documented, is sometimes employed as a defensive strategy to stave off claims denials or audits. But, undercoding can make a provider an outlier, and may create consequential patient care, compliance, and financial liabilities. For example: Undercoding Leaves Money On The Table, Driving Down Provider Reimbursement […]
As providers engage in complex payment models and collect more from patients, they must learn to automate key functions to improve healthcare revenue efficiency. The healthcare revenue cycle has many moving parts. From patient access and registration to medical billing and coding, provider organizations of all sizes must achieve revenue cycle efficiency to ensure providers […]