Modifier 52 Reduced services and Modifier 53 Discontinued services describe similar but distinct circumstances. To apply these modifiers appropriately, you’ll need to know why the provider stopped or otherwise “cut short” the procedure they were performing. Expected or Elected Calls for 52 If a provider plans or expects a reduction in the service, or electively cancels the […]
AAPC Knowledge Center
Laureen shows you her proprietary “Bubbling and Highlighting Technique”
Download your Free copy of my "Medical Coding From Home Ebook" at the top right corner of this page 2018 CPC Practice Exam Answer Key 150 Questions With Full Rationale (HCPCS, ICD-9-CM, ICD-10, CPT Codes) Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationaleTag Archives: between
MedPAC advises CMS to establish payment equity between postacute care settings
What is the different between account receivables and account revenues?
Sample Contracts between Doctor and Coder
PLEASE HELP-discrepancy between name on id and name on insurance card
Know the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid NCCI Edits
Follow the correct edit to promote payment and avoid denial. By Samantha Prince, BSHCM, COC, CPC, CPMA National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits for Medicare and Medicaid are not the same. If you’re following Medicare edits for Medicaid claims, you may have claims denying inappropriately. That’s missed revenue you could capture by applying the correct […]
AAPC Knowledge Center
Question about Coordination of Benefits between Medical and Vision Insurances
I am not extremely familiar with filing vision claims and I have tried to research this topic. Most instances it seems that it depends on why the patient is here as to who to bill to as primary, but my question comes in when the patient has a medical insurance and has either a copay, deductible, or coinsurance amount and if vision acts as a secondary to cover these amounts or if the patient is responsible.
The way it has "always been done" here at the clinic I work for is that when the patient’s medical insurance comes back, they file the remainder to any applicable vision policy. I understand that a refraction would be covered in this instance if not covered by the primary, but they have historically changed the diagnoses on the claim for to all vision codes and taken off all the medical. To me this seems incorrect. If the vision insurance acts as a true secondary on medical, then we should be filing the claim exactly the way we did to the medical insurance and not change any diagnosis codes. If their exam was billed as medical because their reason for visit was medical, then that should follow the claim form to the vision insurance company.
My co-worker who has been filing these claims stated that she called the vision company and explained my concerns and the vision company apparently told her it didn’t matter what diagnosis was on the claim. As long as they had the primary EOB, they would process the claim. Now I don’t trust what she is saying which is obviously why I am posting my question here.
Thanks in advance for helping me with this.
Amber
Communication – The bridge between providers and coders
This originally published in March of 2014… yet still has some GREAT information for all to use
******************************************************************************
ICD-10 includes many new terms, and certain codes will now require documentation to be more precise and complete to give coders the best “picture” of the care received by the patient via a numeric format. Our challenge as good providers is to document and communicate this new criteria more effectively so we can all share the same understanding of the words needed to continue being fiscally solvent, but to also document the clinical course of care provided.
The coding query process can help. The query process is a very useful tool, but real 1-1, face to face communication, combined with good ICD-10cm training for the coder, clinical staff, physicians and mid-level providers will be a critical point for ICD-10cm and pcs coding success. Currently none of us are “good” or “expert” at ICD-10, so we all are struggling to become proficient at what we need.
Outlined below are a few quick clinical documentation tips and hints to help clarify your clinical record documentation.
“For a presenting problem without an established diagnosis, the assessment or clinical impression can be stated a) as a “possible”, “probable”, or “rule out” (R/O) diagnosis,(such as rule out kidney stone)
The need for good communication and documentation brings us back to the term “wordsmith”. Again, both the coder and the physician/provider will need to add this to their job proficiencies. Getting the conversation started is the first step. A quick way to begin is to conduct a mini review of the current physician/provider documentation. The coder can develop, or may have a feel, as to how best to ascertain the top 5 or top 10 commonly mis-coded or difficult to code diagnoses in the practice. If the coders’ are currently struggling with appending these “difficult” diagnoses now utilizing ICD-9, this challenge now is amplified by dual coding/cross coding with ICD-10cm codes which will be mandatory in October of 2014. Have the coder document and analyze what they’ve found. This quick analysis will help define where better communication and documentation is needed for both the coder and provider.
- Ask the coder(s) and provider(s) for the top 5 mis-coded or difficult to code diagnoses
- Pull the operative/procedure notes that were associated with these diagnoses
- Cross-code the documentation with both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes
- Identify areas that need to be clarified for the coder with the physician or provider
- Schedule a meeting (face to face) with the coder and the provider and include
- The actual provider notes
- The ICD-9 codes (using the code -book)
- The ICD-10 codes (using the code-book)
What is the Difference Between Medical Billing, Medical Coding and Medical Transcription?
It can be confusing when talking about medical billing, medical coding and medical transcription. People often use them interchangeably when in fact they’re all separate functions. They’re all areas of medical assisting job expertise and many people have successful careers or own work at home businesses in these fields.
All three medical professions or careers are hot healthcare information fields right now and that will not change. As more and more people need health care, there will be more and more jobs available in this market.
The nice thing about two of these fields is that you can combine them easily. In fact you may want to learn medical coding along with medical billing and be able to offer both to prospective employers or be able to offer both if you work from home or start your own business.
Medical coders and medical billers work in doctor’s offices and clinics, in hospitals or for dentists. All three fields require a background or knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and you’ll be using special billing or coding or other software.
If you’re a medical biller you’ll be submitting claims to insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid. In some cases to the patients on behalf of clients they may have or their employers. If you choose this field you’ll need to be detail-oriented and accurate. Mistakes can cause problems both for patients and employers. Medical billing jobs usually require you to have medical billing training and certification as a Medical Billing Specialist. You’ll also need to know the rules of the HIPAA.
Medical coders provide codes to medical inpatient and outpatient procedures and services – billing public and private insurance companies. If you’re a medical coder you’ll read patient charts and assign the right code based on established codes derived from the standard classification manuals.
A medical transcriber transcribes medical records. These are usually the doctor’s notes, progress notes, etc. or those of other health professionals such as dentists. You need to be proficient in typing as you’d be doing a lot of it. Many people work from home as medical transcribers too.
So this is the difference between medical billing, medical coding and transcription. Make sure you get fully informed before you sign up for any training or enroll in schools, take online courses or programs. There are many scams to be aware of. Also there is money available from the government for both online and on-campus training. Make sure to check this out too to save yourself a lot of money.
For secrets and tips on how to start a medical billing business or as a career, choosing the best medical billing training, finding the best medical billing business schools, online courses, college, work at home and financing go to a nurse’s website: http://www.MedicalBillingTrainingInfo.com