A Columbus, MS, pediatrics practice has added three electronic items that not only provide convenience for patients but give the office EHR meaningful use credit. First is online bill paying. That's provided through the office's billing service, says Sabrina McDow, CEO of Children's Health Center of Columbus. The invoices give a website for the online payments, but because the … [Read more...] about Three electronic conveniences also help with EHR requirements
Billing & collections
Survey finds support for the Affordable Care Act among physician leaders
Results of a comprehensive survey show widespread support for the U.S. Affordable Care Act (ACA) among physicians nationwide. Fifty-five (55) percent of survey respondents say they agree or strongly agree that the controversial law passed in 2010 has "more good than bad" in it. The survey was conducted in spring 2015 by the American Association for Physician Leadership, a … [Read more...] about Survey finds support for the Affordable Care Act among physician leaders
HIPAA and records hiding somewhere in the hospital
Question: One of our physicians took patient charts to the hospital. Two of those charts were lost. They contained personal information such as Social Security numbers as well as the clinical notes. What information should I send to the patients? (Submitted by a New York manager – name withheld by request.) Answer: Respond first with common sense, advises health … [Read more...] about HIPAA and records hiding somewhere in the hospital
Coding tips for respiratory diseases
By Judy Monestime bio ICD-10-CM Chapter 10, "Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00–J99)," identifies codes for a wide variety of pulmonary conditions, ranging from acute upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, as well as diseases of the lower respiratory tract including chronic lung diseases and diseases acquired from exposure to external substances. … [Read more...] about Coding tips for respiratory diseases
The balance between kindness and good business: getting your patients to pay their bills
A 2014 survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) finds that collecting balances due from patients is the seventh most "intense and applicable challenge" for the members surveyed. And no wonder. According to a 2014 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average yearly deductible in the United States has more than doubled in the last eight years, … [Read more...] about The balance between kindness and good business: getting your patients to pay their bills
How to get paid for filling out patient forms
To charge or not to charge? Medical offices don't value their time as much as they ought, according to the office manager for a family practice in Pennsylvania. And one area that's woefully undervalued is the time spent filling out patient forms for things such as disability verification and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). That's time consuming for both doctors and … [Read more...] about How to get paid for filling out patient forms
How one practice addressed the issue of delinquent patient payments
A medical practice in Fayetteville, GA, had an ongoing situation with 20 or so longtime patients who believed because they knew the doctor personally and even socialized with him that they could pay for medical services when it was convenient for them. Yet, Rick E. Blondeau, practice manager, believed the doctor shouldn't wait to be paid for his service that he performed in … [Read more...] about How one practice addressed the issue of delinquent patient payments
New Orleans jury convicts two doctors, a nurse, and an office manager for roles in $50 million fraud scheme
A jury in New Orleans has convicted four employees of medical service clinics for their roles in a $50 million Medicare fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI's New Orleans Field … [Read more...] about New Orleans jury convicts two doctors, a nurse, and an office manager for roles in $50 million fraud scheme
SGR repeal emphasizes move to value-based payments
After a long and winding road, the sustainable growth rate (SGR) is finally part of history and the move to value-based payments has renewed urgency now that the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Act) has become law. The Act became law April 16, 2015, repealing the SGR and establishing the following conversion factor updates: 0.0% for January 1, 2015 through … [Read more...] about SGR repeal emphasizes move to value-based payments
Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
By Judy Monestime bio Chapter 21 in ICD-10-CM contains codes for factors influencing health status and contact with health services. There are differences in ICD-10-CM from what is currently found in ICD-9-CM. Some categories in Chapter 21 have rephrased titles to better reflect the situations the codes classify. For example, elective, legal, or therapeutic abortions have … [Read more...] about Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)