Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
Obesity And Chronic Disease Drive Medicare Growth
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The rate of obesity among Medicare patients doubled from 1987 to 2002--but spending on those patients more than doubled, according to a new report in the journal Health Affairs.
Almost all Medicare spending growth of the past 15 years has resulted in the sharp increase in the number of obese patients or patients with chronic conditions, according to the analysis of Medicare cost and patient data.
In 1987, only 11.7 percent of Medicare patients were considered obese, but that grew to 22.5 percent in 2002. Spending on obese patients grew from 9.4 percent of Medicare's budget in 1987 to 24.8 percent in 2002, according to a report in USA Today.
Meanwhile, doctors are trying harder to treat patients with diabetes, high blood pressure or low levels of -good- cholesterol, the study said.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- E/M CODING:
Hail To The Chief Complaint--Even If It's At The End Of The Note
Avoid vague phrases like 'patient feeling better'
Getting dinged on audits because you don't have a [...] - ONCOLOGY:
Don't Miss Out On Extra Mammogram Reimbursement
You can bill a unilateral screening mammography, carrier says
Heads up: One carrier has clarified the [...] - CONSULTS:
CMS May Soon Untangle Consult Confusion
It's not a consult if the requesting physician 'doesn't give a rip'
Good news: Your cries [...] - Obesity And Chronic Disease Drive Medicare Growth
The rate of obesity among Medicare patients doubled from 1987 to 2002--but spending on those [...] - REIMBURSEMENT:
Step Carefully When NPPs Bill For Consults
Don't let a doctor duplicate an NPPs decision-making, carrier warns
Can nurse practitioners and physician assistants [...] - Feds Net Half A Million For Non-Covered Drugs
Watch out: Don't bill Medicare for Part B drugs unless you can prove that your [...] - WOUND REPAIR:
Learn Exceptions To Tissue Repair Rules--Or Pay
If the patient needs tendon repair, you can't bill for wound care
Do you know the [...] - Write A Part D Diagnosis On Prescriptions To Avoid Hassle
You should have less trouble from now on when a drug could be covered under [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
Don't Sell Yourself Short In Timed Therapy Coding
Tip: Focus on the total treatment time
With our expert interpretation of [...] - QUIZ:
Take This Timed Therapy Test
Question: Now that you have reviewed CMS- explanation of how to code timed therapy, see [...] - CLIP N' SAVE:
Get Your Therapy Code Units Right With This Simple Tool
Timed therapy codes can be confusing, but don't give in. Use this chart to determine [...] - PHYSICIAN NOTES:
Bush Calls For Info Gathering, Doesn't Cover Costs
You may have to provide pricing data to the government next year
As promised, President Bush signed [...]