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Tag Archives: Taking
Another Practice is Taking over..
I bill/code for an OB/GYN practice. Another practice is buying out our practice. Some of our doctors are staying and they are adding some. It will be under a new Tax ID/Group NPI. My question is, my provider wants me to bill all antepartum visits for our currently pregnant patients. Obviously she wants some of the global because she has seen some of these patients for months, but the delivery will go under the new practice (where she will be an employee, not the owner). I don’t believe we can do that. I know that TAX ID will be different, but patients will be seeing the same Docs. Can someone offer some guidance on this?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
MD taking ownership of NP note
This is not for split /shared billing.
An NP makes rounds on a patient in the hospital and starts documentation with History and exam but then the MD (same group) comes in and does the complete exam and assessment, then edits the NP’s note to all of his own information and signs the note as his own and bills under his own number.
Is there anywhere that states this note is acceptable by Medicare? He basically is taking ownership of the NP’s note.
Thanks,
Taking a second look at overlapping surgeries
New studies show overlapping surgery isn’t as risky (or as time saving) as once thought.
Taking a Look at Medical Stop Smoking Aids
Nicotine patches and gum
The idea behind nicotine replacement therapy is that:
a) nicotine is addictive and so
b) smokers get withdrawal symptoms if they stop smoking themselves.
Nicotine patches claim to help smokers overcome possible withdrawal effects of quitting smoking by releasing nicotine into the body that is replacing one form of nicotine with another. But even with patches or gum you will still need willpower, as nicotine replacement therapy will not completely remove the desire to smoke.
Promoting nicotine replacement therapy claims a success rate twice that of willpower. Will power helps about 5 to 7% compared to nicotine replacement therapy which represents a success rate of between 10% – 14%.
Reported side effects: skin rash (patches), insomnia, nausea, sores in the mouth (gums) and indigestion.
Nicobrevin
Nicobrevin is sold as a nicotine-free supplement to relieve withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. It states to calm your nerves, and blocking the craving for cigarettes.
Zyban
Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride) is an anti-depressant drug used to help smokers stop smoking.
Reported side effects include insomnia, headaches, seizures and death!
Champix (Varencline)
Champix is a course of tablets. The claim is that you are less inclined to smoke when the blood level of nicotine falls, and also makes cigarettes less satisfying.
Reported side effects of Champix: Some users have reported feeling depressed or suicidal!
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Taking the Hassel Out of Tracking Medical Records
Keeping track of patient’s medical records has always been a hassle. Today, because of regulations concerning patient privacy and security, it can be even more difficult and frustrating.
In years past, some doctors would hand the record of the visit to the patient including X-rays and test results. This reduced the doctor’s need for an accurate filing system, but created even more frustration when the patient came in for a follow-up or new visit without the information in hand. Needless to say, the patients and the doctors were unhappy.
Losing a patient’s record is an embarrassing situation that can be deadly. Nurses and physicians have needed the latest tracking software for many years. Luckily, now they can get it.
Through the use of barcodes or RFID tagging technology, medical records can be quickly located and followed via computer throughout an office or a hospital, regardless of the facility’s size.
The office scheduling system can interact with the record’s database to create a pull list for the following day’s appointments. This improves office efficiency. Doctors and patients are not required to wait while the secretary or file clerk pulls a file.
The system can be even more efficient for handling paperless or hybrid medical records, which include both traditional paper and electronic notations.
Generally speaking, the electronic records are more efficient and more secure, as long as the necessary precautions are taken when the database is created. The system should be regularly updated against viruses and hackers.
The latest tracking software has the ability to instantly display a record’s location when the information is requested by someone in the office. This function is beneficial for the single office and for doctors with multiple locations.
All of the tracking software features make handling patients at multiple offices simpler and more efficient. The scheduling system of each office should already be interfaced. Programming the system to interface with a new tracking system is an easy task for a database designer.
The database can automatically generate referrals and other letters. The tracking system can be integrated with the office billing system, ensuring that the costs of each visit are billed quickly, while allowing office workers to verify the patient’s insurance information at each visit.
Many other features can be built into these new systems. Ideally, the database will be customized to suit the practice. Trying to customize off-the-shelf medical records tracking software could actually add to the office’s frustrations.
Tom Gruich promotes business interests. For more business opportunities in software and database design and for some of the better money-making affiliate markets, visit Affiliate Software or the Smart Database website at => http://www.adaptcode.com
How to Lower Your Blood Pleasure Without Taking Medical Treatment
A common way for people with high blood pressure is taking medecines in order to control it. However, sometimes, these medecines are not enough strong to lower high blood pressure to normal levels. Lowering to healthy levels also needs some additional measures.
Prolonged and Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in some serious complications like stroke, heart attack or even kidney failure. It is for this reason that you need to do everything you can to control it to normal levels.
We are listing some natural ways which could help you immensely to lower your BP and these are easy for you to include in your normal daily routine.
1. Have a piece of dark chocolate daily. As per the recent report on Hypertension in the Journal of AHA (American Heart Association), when a person eats small amounts of dark chocolates in daily routine, it contributes to some chemical changes in human body which contributes in dilation of blood vessels thus lowering blood pressure.
2. Potassium: It is a magic mineral. It is an important nutrient essential for maintaining electrolyte balance which regulates the muscle and heart’s contraction. It also helps maintain the fluid balance in the body.
You can get your daily requirements of potassium from foods like apples, avocados, bananas, oranges, pears, carrots, pears and sweet potatoes.
3. Water: It is the miracle medicine given by Mother Nature. When your body goes in the state of dehydration, your BP can shoot up dramatically. When body mechanism begins to retain water instead of allowing it a natural flow, the blood pressure could rise. This action of body is however preventive to save the body cells from dehydrating.
Make it a habit to drink good amounts of water daily. It will not only lower your blood pressure but would help to improve your other body functions.
4. Walking Is Good For You. Sedentary lifestyle is a bane and cause of many diseases. Over a period of time our inactivity could lead to lot’s of health complications in us. Regular exercise would help us in lowering our blood pressure. The good news is that you need not go for vigorous exercises but just moderate ones to achieve maximum gains.
A most recent study which was published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health informed us that just 35 minutes of daily walk just three days a week is all that is needed for good health and heart.
The above mentioned 4 ways are in fact simple and yet proven ones to lower your blood pressure. But maintaining consistency while practicing them is the only way to gain maximum benefit in long run. You should try making them a part of your daily routine to gain a healthy heart and a fully normal blood pressure.
Michael has been writing articles online for 10 years. Check out his latest website MTD Mower Parts which help people find more about MTD Belts.
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Taking Care of Past Due Medical Bills
Thanks to the decline of the economy, a lot of people are finding that they have a stack of past due medical bills. The stack gets larger and larger every month, and they don’t know how they are going to manage to pay them.
Here are some steps that you can take to deal with unpaid medical bills.
Look at Your Budget
The first thing that you want to do is take a look at your budget. If you don’t have one yet, make one up. List all your expenses and your income for each month to figure out where your money is going.
Get the Bottom Line
Go through your past due medical bills and make a list of what you owe. If you don’t have your latest copy, call the number that is on one of your older bills and find out what your current total is.
Negotiate
Talk to the offices and hospitals that you owe money, and see if they would be willing to come down on the amount that you owe. If you have the cash available, let them know that you will pay them right now if they are willing to lower the amount that you owe.
Ask About Payment Plan
If negotiating isn’t possible, ask them if you can make payments each month. If they suggest a figure, make sure that it’s something that you will be able to do. Chances are that you will be able to come up with an agreement that will work for the two of you. All you have to do is make sure that you are polite and that you remain calm throughout the talk. This is going to increase your chances of the billing staff listening to you.
The times are tough for everyone, but that doesn’t mean that people will be unreasonable. If you come up with a plan and you show that you have done your homework, you are going to show that you are serious about waning to take care of your past due medical bills and squaring everything away. Be educated, be prepared, and be polite. These three things are what will help you to plead your case to your debtors and get your bills taken care of before they ruin your credit.
There are many different reasons that people seek help for past due medical bills. No matter what you decide, the important thing is that you know that you have options. If you’re in too deep and want help with past due medical bills, contact us today and see what we can do for you. You shouldn’t have to feel helpless in a situation like this.
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Teaching Physician taking over delivery
Hello,
I am new to billing for teaching physicians. I am wondering if in this scenario if the delivery would have been considered done by the resident or the preceptor.
I am new to billing for teaching physicians. I am wondering if in this scenario if the delivery would have been considered done by the resident or the preceptor.
The note states "Dr (resident) was present the entire exam and I was present for the entire procedure, stepping in to deliver the shoulder".
Any help is appreciated.
Michelle-CPC, CRC
Victims Of Faulty Medical Devices Taking Action
With the recent announcement of a Hip Replacement Recall by company DePuy Orthopaedics, there are now several scrambling patients trying to find out if their hip replacement device is listed as one of the faulty ones. DePuys ASR XL Acetabular System, along with their ASR Hip Resurfacing system, joined the list of recalled hip replacement devices at the end of August 2010.
It is now estimated that, between the Zimmer, Stryker, and DePuy hip replacement systems, over 90,000 hip implants have been recalled. With the failure rate estimated at just over 12%, this means that nearly 11,000 individuals, and possibly more, could very well experience a failure with their device, if they have not already. The thought of how many could truly be affected is chilling, to say the least.
Yet, many do not even have the slightest clue of what to watch out for. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the signs that often appear prior to the failure of a hip device. One of the early indicators that a hip replacement is failing is the feeling (and some may even say the sound) of clicking or popping in the hip. There is often also swelling, which can be followed by chronic pain. In worst case scenarios, the hip can dislocate, loosen, or easily become fractured. Individuals who have had a hip replacement should most definitely monitor themselves for the above mentioned signs to ensure that, if any are present, they can get in touch with their physician immediately.
Another important person to get in touch with if any of these signs are present is an attorney who has a good track record with medical device failure cases. A Hip Attorney can assist patients in not only being reimbursed for their medical expenses related to a faulty hip replacement, but can also ensure that their claim is filed properly and in a timely matter. You see, there is only so much time that the legal system allows for cases such as these, which is why it is so very important to speak with your legal counsel as soon as you possibly can so that they can get the ball rolling.
To find out more about the hip device recall or to discuss your situation with an experienced attorney, give us a call today at 1-800-941-0166 or visit us at http://www.hipattorney.org. Our website is designed to help people file a claim and get compensation for Hip Replacement Recalls. We are dedicated to helping those who have undergone failed hip replacement surgeries get the compensation they deserve
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