Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Emergency Rooms Earn A C Minus In National Survey
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) released its first "National Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine," and the news wasn't good. ACEP points to problems including overcrowding, declining access to care, soaring liability costs and a poor capacity to deal with public health or terrorist disasters.
Overall, the ACEP survey gave the nation's emergency care system a grade of C minus. ACEP's task force of experts graded each state's emergency care on a scale of A to F for access, quality, safety, public health, injury prevention and "medical liability environment." California, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia led the nation, with Arkansas, Idaho and Utah receiving D grades.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- REIMBURSEMENT:
You Won't Have To Resubmit January Claims To Gain Extra Money
Don't worry about collecting extra copayments from patients, CMS advises
Hang in there--there are only a [...] - CONSULTS:
Watch Out For 56 Modifier Trap With Pre-Op Consults
Document primary care consults the same as specialist ones
If you think consults are just for [...] - NEUROLOGY:
Physicians Can't Bill For Tests Performed By A Technician
You can't use separate code for mini mental status exams
You may [...] - Emergency Rooms Earn A C Minus In National Survey
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) released its first "National Report Card on the [...] - LOCAL COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS:
You Can't Bill Temporary Pacemaker Or Anesthesia With Heart Catheterizations
Noridian expands stereotactic neurosurgery coverage
Several of the Part B carriers decided [...] - MANAGEMENT:
Consider Charging Your Patients A Billing Fee For Copays, Deductibles
One practice adds percentages for collection agencies
Your practice should set the [...] - Physician Updates Could Vary By Region, Specialty
If the Medicare Payments Advisory Commission got its way, you would be receiving a 2.7-percent [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
Learn the Truth Behind These 4 Modifier 22 Myths--And Avoid More Denials
A longer-than-normal procedure does not automatically justify modifier 22
Did you know [...] - PHYSICIAN NOTES:
Health Care Spending Shows Signs Of Slowing
Growth rate down from 9.1 percent to 7.9 percent
Changes in prescription [...]
