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. […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which includes a 2.9% Medicare Physician Pay Cuts to physician payments. This decision, despite opposition from major industry groups, will impact healthcare providers and potentially patient access to care. The rule also includes several positive provisions, such as expanded […]
The healthcare industry is no stranger to constant updates, especially when it comes to coding and billing. As medical knowledge advances, disease trends change, and the healthcare landscape evolves, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) update the 2024 ICD-10-CM Code set every year Healthcare providers, […]
In 2024, healthcare providers, medical coders, and revenue cycle management (RCM) professionals need to stay up-to-date on 2024 medical coding updates. Several updates have been made to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid […]
The healthcare industry is on the verge of a significant transformation as we approach 2024: transitioning from ICD-10 to ICD-11. Healthcare providers, payers, and patients alike will all be impacted by this shift, which promises to revolutionize the way medical diagnoses and treatments are documented and reported. Our comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of ICD-11, […]
The article explores common billing mistakes and offers tips for four healthcare services that can cause payment headaches for physicians. 1. Annual Wellness Visits vs. Physicals: Understanding Medicare Requirements Differentiating between Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) and Initial Preventive Physical Exams (IPPE) is crucial for accurate billing. Both are covered by Medicare for preventive care, but […]
In medical coding, CPT modifier are vital for accurate reimbursement of healthcare services. These special codes, attached to primary procedure codes, provide additional details about the complexity or extent of a service. However, using modifiers incorrectly can lead to claim denials and lost revenue. This blog post shares six key tips to help you get […]
Modifier 58 vs Modifier 78: Key Takeaway: Modifier 58: Same underlying condition, planned or unplanned additional procedure. Modifier 78: New problem caused by the initial surgery (complication) requiring a return to the OR. Medical Coders often struggle to differentiate between modifier 58 (staged/related procedure) and modifier 78 (unplanned return to OR). Let’s break down the […]
Medical Coding Audits: Whenever you receive an “audit” email, do you feel a knot in your stomach? Fear not, fellow coder! Audits are an important part of maintaining secure, efficient, and well-documented code. They help identify areas for improvement and potential bugs before they cause major problems. It is the purpose of this newsletter to […]
The official April 2024 update to the HCPCS Level II code set is now available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website. April update includes: 62 new codes 2 changes to scope and long description 21 obsolete codes 11 changes to long description 1 change to changes miscellaneous changes Below are some code […]