July 17, 2019 I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “if it isn’t documented, then it wasn’t done.” As a young graduate nurse, I learned this the hard way. I’ll never forget when a surgery intern complained to my Head Nurse (as they were called in those days), at 7:20 am after my shift started at...
May 1, 2019 You’ve submitted, in a timely manner, correct Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) codes to the insurance company for the procedure you performed. The payor’s explanation of benefits (EOB) or electronic remittance advice (ERA) shows a payment of $0! Now what? Typically, you’d send in the operative note, showing the description of the procedure...
February 20, 2019 Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) is a coding system that physicians and other providers use to bill for their services. While typically not taught in medical school, residency or other formal education arenas, providers are still expected to know how to properly code for services provided. Here are six basic coding rules that...
AAPC News – March 2017 by Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, CMDP CPT® 2017 captures the most up-to-date clinical services for ear, nose, and throat specialists. CPT® 2017 brings several code changes for otorhinolaryngology, a specialty that has seen few, if any, code changes in the past several years. The changes are primarily new codes, with some code...
AAPC News – May 2017 by Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, CMDP See how spine procedure codes, guidelines, and reporting have changed in 2017. There are many 2017 CPT® code changes pertaining to spine procedures. Here’s a rundown of the most significant changes. Removal of Moderate Sedation Inclusion The moderate sedation symbol (¤) was removed from...
Healthcare Business Monthly – November 2016 by Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, CMDP CPT® tells us when not to separately report the use of an operating microscope. We’ll tell you when you should. Many otolaryngologists use an operating microscope when performing ear procedures in the operating room. Coders often wonder if it is acceptable to report...
AAOS Now – November 2016 by Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, CMDP Spine surgeons face a multitude of Current Procedural Terminology ® (CPT) code changes, effective Jan. 1, 2017. This article provides a summary of these changes so practices can get a head start on understanding their implications. A complete listing of changes can be...
Healio- October 2016 by Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, CMDP and Teri Romano, BSN, MBA, CPC, CMDP Medicare eliminated payment for consultations in 2010, which resulted in significant revenue losses for spine surgeons and all specialists. All office consultations for Medicare patients became a new or established patient, or an emergency department visit if the...
Healthcare Business Monthly – June 2016 by Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, CMDP When do you bill 63056-59 with 22633, rather than 63047-59? A common question among coders and spine surgeons is whether to bill 63056-59 with 22633, or 63047-59. The answer is complex, but CPT® and Medicare guidelines provide essential guidance. Read Full Article
Greenbranch – May/June 2013 Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC Many physicians continue to wrestle with an economy-in-recovery and declining reimbursements. In this business climate, practices can’t afford reimbursement process mistakes and inefficiencies; they’re simply too expensive. Just a few denied surgical claims can cost a practice thousands of dollars. That’s the cost of the annual electronic...
