Medical Billing Blog: Section - General Info
Archive of all Articles in the General Info Section
This is the archive containing links to all articles written in the General Info section of our blog.
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Aneurysm Repair Medical Billing Coding
Aneurysm Repair Medical Billing Coding In medical billing, surgery can be fairly easy to code. However, analysis of imaging after surgery can be slightly more complicated. The analysis of an aneurysm repair image can be a head scratcher for any medical billing staff member. The year 2006 has brought many medical billing changes. Coding is one of those changes. There are two medical billing codes that would correctly describe an analysis of angiographic imaging after an aneurysm repair. 75956 (Endovascular repair of descending thoracic aorta; involving coverage of left subclavian artery origin, initial end prosthesis plus descending thoracic aortic extension if required, to level of celiac artery origin, radiological supervision …
Medical Billing Deficit Reduction Act Finally Passed
Medical Billing Deficit Reduction Act Finally Passed After weeks of discussion, the medical billing Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 has finally passed through the House of Representatives. February 01, 2006 was a day of victory for the act. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services are already taking action on the therapy cap exceptions process. Keep your medical billing year open for new changes to come along. By a narrow vote, the Deficit Reduction Act flew through the House of Representatives with a 216 to 214 vote. One of the major issues in this legislation deals with a new process for therapy cap exceptions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid …
Modifier 32 Usage in Medical Billing
Modifier 32 Usage in Medical Billing Many things have changed for medical billing in 2006, but modifier 32 is not one of those things. Since 2005 several changes have occurred with the way hospitals and nursing facilities can bill claims. Some of these changes will affect medical billing reimbursement amounts. It is important to abide by all new medical billing rules to appease your payer. One medical billing change for 2006 is the removal of inpatient follow-up and confirmatory consultations. These codes range from (99261-99263) and (99271-99285). Even though consultations may give more medical billing reimbursement, the only codes allowed are subsequent care codes 99231-99233 for hospital and 99307-99310 for …
Medical Billing Reimbursement for Real World Rehabilitation
Medical Billing Reimbursement for Real World Rehabilitation The medical billing world will have a new face in the neighborhood. Baton Rouge General Medical Center is changing the face of rehab therapy. The new rehab facility , “Around Town”, is helping patients adapt to the more practical aspects of life . While traditional therapy helps patients move their bodies once again, this new therapy helps them adjust to real life situations. Payers may see a lot more of this type of medical billing come through their offices. The “Around Town” facility looks like the inside of a house or a home. It is equipped with a working kitchen, bedroom, living room …
Know Your Medical Billing Personnel
Know Your Medical Billing Personnel You may not know it, but medical billing staff members are your most valuable assets. Customer service and healthcare are also very important aspects of your practice, however, medical billing is the core of the business. You should know at all times that people responsible for the core of your business can be trusted. Knowing your medical billing staff members is imperative to your success. Medical coding and billing is an extremely skilled practice. You must know the education levels of each staff member responsible for claims. Their expertise could mean either payment or denial for any claim. You should know their credentials, schooling, accreditations, …
Medical Billing Improvements with RNs
Medical Billing Improvements with RNs Not only are nurses important to your patient’s healthcare, but they also help your medical billing reimbursement bottom line. Some say the key to unnecessary hospital deaths is increased registered nurse care. Although there would be increased hours for the nurses, it would not mean more medical billing cost to you. Extra nurse hours would mean improved medical billing reimbursement for your hospital. Recently a study done shows that a nurse care could reduce patient deaths by 6700 per year. Not only would patient deaths decrees per year, but the number of hospital days would decrease by 4 million as well. You may think that …
Illegal Immigrant Medical Billing No Longer Allowed
Illegal Immigrant Medical Billing No Longer Allowed A recent medical billing study in New York State has created some fuss regarding immigrant health care. Many people believe illegal immigrants should not be covered for health care. However, many states, New York included, cover immigrants for emergency care. Medical billing for this emergency care is another story. Recently there was a review of medical billing claims from January, 2001-September, 2004. This review found that $14 million each year were spent on ancillary care instead of emergency care. To correct this problem, care such as physical therapy and speech therapy will no longer be eligible for medical billing reimbursement. Ancillary care is …
Perfect Disease Management Medical Billing Myth
Perfect Disease Management Medical Billing Myth Medical billing for disease management is not working for many insurance companies. Disease management has been a trend in the recent years. However, model programs are being shut down all over the country. Lack of interest is the downfall of these disease management programs. Medical billing and revenue for the year will fail due to disease management closings. A model disease management program, HeartPartners will be closing ten months early. The payer, PacifiCare Health Systems, cannot take any more medical billing loss. They were severely short on beneficiaries. They anticipated 15,000 beneficiaries, however only 3750 people actually enrolled in the program. Disease management is …
Selective Debridement Medical Billing Reimbursement Doubtful
Selective Debridement Medical Billing Reimbursement Doubtful Lately debridement medical billing has brought up many questions in the healthcare industry. The medical billing CPT codes 97597-97598 can usually not be used by every provider. The American medical association Recently released these new Current Procedural Terminology codes. Interpretation of these two medical billing codes varies from payer to payer. When the American Medical Association first released the codes 97597-97598 there was a lot of confusion. Shortly after that release the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offered an explanation of the medical billing codes. 97597 (Removal of devitalized tissue from wounds, selective, debridement, without anesthesia, with or without topical applications, wound assessment, …
Using Cross-Subsidizing in Medical Billing Could Lead to Denials
Using Cross-Subsidizing in Medical Billing Could Lead to Denials Using your medical billing to cross subsidize lesser expensive services with more profitable services could lead to denials. Some hospitals are already feeling the pain. A revamp in hospitals’ medical billing chargemaster may be in order to correct this reimbursement problem. In the coming months the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services will be doing a more detailed look at your hospital claims. If you happen to be cross subsidizing the more profitable services for the less profitable services, this may lead to non payments. This will change the medical billing scene forever. Unfortunately if insurance companies quit paying your medical …
