Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
Congress Officially Delays Physician Pay Cuts Until 2010
Lawmakers overturn presidential veto just in time The new law is retroactive to July 1 -- which means that if your carrier paid any of your claims with dates of service after June 30 at lower rates, they're going to owe you money. Carriers will "automatically reprocess any claims paid at the lower rates," according to a July 16 CMS memo. The legislation will ensure that instead of taking a major cut to your fees, you'll continue to enjoy the 0.5 percent boost that you received last January. You'll also benefit from an increase to the 2009 conversion factor of an additional 1.1 percent. Congress' action also brings additional positive changes such as staving off the competitive bidding program for 18 months. Temporary cut: Keep in mind that the 18-month Medicare payment fix is not a permanent solution to Medicare's payment woes.
Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert
- Choose the Right E/M or Eye Code to Optimize Reimbursement
Use the 99200 codes for patients with specific problems -- but make sure your documentation [...] - Look to G, V Codes for Medicare Glaucoma Screens
ABN is a must if patient is ineligible for covered testWhen your ophthalmologist performs a [...] - News You Can Use:
Don't Let Modifier 59 Misuse Wreck Your Reimbursement
One carrier reminds practices to heed the rules when separating CCI editsTrying to bypass CCI [...] - Payment Update:
Congress Officially Delays Physician Pay Cuts Until 2010
Lawmakers overturn presidential veto just in timeIf you were starting to break a sweat in [...] - You Be the Coder:
Coding for Mini Glaucoma Shunt
Question: We used to report 66180 when the ophthalmologist implanted a mini aqueous shunt to [...] - Reader Questions:
Never Use E Codes as Primary Diagnoses
Question: I've never really understood E codes and when I should use them. Would you [...] - Reader Questions:
Split Bill for Fundus Photos at SNF
Question: We performed fundus photos on a patient in a skilled nursing facility, and Medicare [...] - Reader Questions:
Append GY to Refraction Claims
Question: A doctor recently told me that appending modifier GY to the refraction code would [...] - Reader Questions:
When Is Redetermination the Best Option?
Question: We performed a service that we know was medically necessary, but the carrier denied [...] - Reader Questions:
No Guidance on Horizon for NPPs
Question: There was recently some discussion on a professional coding listserv about a new incident-to [...]
