Archive for The Year of 2008
Archive for the Year of 2008
Welcome to the medical billing blog archive for the entire year of 2008.
Here you will find links to every article added to the Outsource Management Group web site during 2008.
You can browse this year's archives by clicking the "More" button from any of the excerpts below.
Therapy Medical Billing Denials Questionable
Therapy Medical Billing Denials Questionable With therapy on the rise, medical billing for this service has increased. Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expects home care spending to rise. This rise in costs will make accurate medical billing a must for home health agencies. Rising home health costs will probably raise some eyebrows at the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Over the next year, this commission may closely examine therapy medical billing and see if there is any room for improvement. Recently, the HHS Office of Inspector General compiled three medical billing audits. In each of these audits, therapy charges were frequently denied. These claims made up much …
When Billing Code 90714 Isn’t Recognized
When Billing Code 90714 Isn’t Recognized In medical billing, code recognition is not the only reason for denial. 90714 is a new medical billing CPT code. If this code is denied, make sure you get the full story. In medical billing, code recognition is not an acceptable reason for denial. When new medical billing codes are introduced there is a lag period that lets coders and payers get adjusted for that specific code. HIPPAA sets an effective date for all medical billing codes that states when companies must begin using the codes or accepting the new codes. It is illegal to deny claims for no recognition if the code effective …
Proper ED Coding In Your Medical Billing
Porper ED Coding In Your Medical Billing Make sure your medical billing emergency department visits are not over billed and make sure they are not under billed. In medical billing, you should never claim more money than you are entitled. You should also never give your services away for free. Especially when dealing with emergency department visits, medical billing is of the utmost importance. When coding for emergency services, you must first look at the physician’s action. Does the visit qualify for a consultation code? Was the patient admitted to the hospital? Was the patient discharged? Did any other physician see the patient prior to your physician. Each one of …
How Your ICD Medical Billing Reporting Will Change
How Your ICD Medical Billing Reporting Will Change Next Year Medical billing is improving in the world of Cardiology. Before January 1, 2006, you must contact the ACC (American College of Cardiology) in order to enroll in a new ICD (implant able cardioverter defibrillator) data registry. It is the hope that this new repository will improve cardiovascular care and medical billing. On Oct. 27, 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that hospitals must begin using the new data registry before the beginning of the year. The current system is called the Quality Network Exchange ICD Abstract Tool (QNET) and the new system is simply called the ICD …
Medical Billing Denials During A Natural Disaster
Avoiding Medical Billing Denials During A Natural Disaster Several natural disasters in America have demanded a new medical billing policy. The insufficient relief effort after Hurricane Katrina made everyone want to proactively prepare, should another disaster occur. The healthcare industry has been no exception. A new medical billing condition code and modifier have been created for disaster related care for the present and future. The two new medical billing codes are DR (Disaster related), and CR (Catastrophe/Disaster Related). DR is a condition code and CR is a new medical billing modifier. All Medicare contractors must use the new codes on claims for August 21, 2005 and after. These medical billing …
Critical Care Codes Documentation
Critical Care Codes Documentation Critical care is not only extremely important to save lives, but is also important in medical billing. Only the most experienced medical billers understand how to bill critical care correctly. There are several rules one should keep in mind when doing medical billing for a critical care patient. The two critical care Current procedural terminology codes are 99291 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes) and 99292 ( each additional 30 minutes). Obviously, these codes are only appropriate for medical billing when there is a critically ill or injured patient. However, this can be more difficult to …
Check Endoscopic Medical Billing Claims Twice
Check Endoscopic Medical Billing Claims Twice Endoscopic procedures may be a sore subject for some medical billing professionals. Medicare and Medicaid may keep a closer eye on these services for the time being. The University of Rochester’s Strong Memorial Hospital submitted claims from September 2001 to December 2003 for endoscopic procedures that were wrongfully billed. Learn from other’s mistakes and don’t let your endoscopic medical billing get out of control. Not only was this New York hospital audited once by Medicaid, but it was audited again by Medicare. In total costs, the hospital repaid over $500,000 combined to these organizations. There were two reasons the medical billing was incorrect. Many …
Missouri Will No Longer Pay for DME Expenses
Missouri Will No Longer Pay for Medical Billing DME Expenses Recently America was shocked when Missouri was granted the right to refuse durable medical equipment Medicaid payment. This medical billing news has started much controversy and media attention. Simply put, a federal judge in Missouri advised that the state no longer has to pay for durable medical equipment like wheel chairs, walkers, hospital beds, and catheter tubes for individuals on Medicaid. There are three situations in which the state is still required to pay for these items: if they are pregnant, in a nursing home, or blind. There has been much controversy over this medical billing issue. As a matter …
Radiology Claims Are On The Rise, Are You Ready?
Radiology Claims Are On The Rise, Are You Ready? Radiology claims have become more abundant when performing medical billing. Sometimes evaluation and management radiology claims can get confusing. It is important to understand the correct medical billing practices in order to ensure your practice’s correct reimbursement. Radiologists can perform several types of services. One of these services is an evaluation and management session. When doing medical billing for a radiologist it is important to make sure a session meets three categories before coding it as evaluation and management session. The three categories are: request, render, and report. The first necessary element for a radiologist E/M visit is a formal request …
Medical Billing for 92552 And You
Medical Billing for 92552 And You Performing medical billing for current procedural terminology code 92552 can be difficult to distinguish from 92551. These hearing tests are similar, but there are slight differences. When billing for these medical hearing tests, it is important to match chart notes with CPT codes. The medical billing CPT code 92552 means pure tone audiometry; air only. This is a hearing test that a physician uses when testing the limits of intensity for each frequency heard. This means, for each pitch, high or low, the physician sees what the patient can hear at the lowest intensity possible. When doing medical billing for this procedure, one must …
