Medical coding is primarily numbering, but acronyms are also important for accurate billing. Here are 10 of the most common. Keep this list handy for reference: CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)—Division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. EDI (Electronic … [Read more...] about 10 accurate acronyms ensure you get paid
General
Virginia manager uses contests to help turn staff into a team
A new manager set building staff teamwork as her first goal. And she decided that the best way to reach that goal was to make it fun. So she set up contests that require the staff to work and think together and come up with ideas that will benefit the office. The neurological practice in Virginia has eight physicians and 36 staff. The first contest was held in a restaurant … [Read more...] about Virginia manager uses contests to help turn staff into a team
Maintaining an HPO: employees make the difference
By Steve M. Cohen bio Among the goals of any organization is to become an HPO — a high performance organization. That means you have created a lean, mean running machine that operates at top efficiency, and your employees are engaged. Some organizations don't believe this really applies to them. But look at it this way: Research by the Gallagher Organization has suggested … [Read more...] about Maintaining an HPO: employees make the difference
Top 10 cities with happiest medical practice patients
Did you make the list? Patients in San Francisco and Oakland appear to be happiest with their doctors, while the least satisfied American health care consumers live in other California cities as well as in New York State locales. This is according to an in-depth evaluation of the ever-contentious online reviews that many physicians denounce. In a nationwide study, Denver-based … [Read more...] about Top 10 cities with happiest medical practice patients
CMS proposes new deadline for “meaningful use” reporting compliance
Recently, Medical Office Manager told you about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) electronic health records (EHRs) incentive programs and meaningful use requirements. Now, CMS has released a proposed rule that would alter the timeline for meaningful use reporting. Washington, DC, health care attorney at Alston & Bird, Paula Stannard, a former Health and … [Read more...] about CMS proposes new deadline for “meaningful use” reporting compliance
Eye diseases get their own new coding section under ICD-10
By Judy Monestime bio Chapter 7 is a new chapter in ICD-10 CM. No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you; in ICD-10 CM, they get their own chapter. These conditions were previously included with Chapter 6, Diseases of the Nervous System and Sense Organs chapter in ICD-9 CM. Now they are covered in ICD-10 CM Chapter 7: Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa (H00-H59). ICD-10 … [Read more...] about Eye diseases get their own new coding section under ICD-10
Is your practice eligible for Medicaid incentive payments?
Certain professionals can alternatively pursue meaningful use incentive payments from the Medicaid program, which is run by the state Medicaid agencies. Eligible professionals for Medicaid include doctors of medicine and osteopathy, nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, dentists, and physician assistants in a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic led … [Read more...] about Is your practice eligible for Medicaid incentive payments?
Exceeding expectations or resetting the watermark of leadership
By Dale Henry bio I'm a service snob! I am addicted to nice hotels, great restaurants, and being pampered. Who isn't? That feeling of being cared for and having everything you want delivered with a smile is intoxicating to say the least. Once you have had someone exceed your expectations, it is just a little frustrating to have someone do it out of ritual. As they say, it's … [Read more...] about Exceeding expectations or resetting the watermark of leadership
How the right payment technology can improve profitability at your practice
By Brent Warrington bio Medical practice profitability is a regular concern for practice managers. Now the Affordable Care Act has perhaps shined a brighter light on what it takes to stay in the black. What's more, insurance companies are under pressure to manage costs and grow revenue, sometimes resulting in lower payments to physicians for patient visits, services, … [Read more...] about How the right payment technology can improve profitability at your practice
CQM reporting and HIPAA
One reader questioned whether reporting CQMs using the Physician Quality Reporting System and reporting patient level data in the Quality Reporting Data Architecture (QRDA) format would require sending protected health information to CMS in violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The QRDA format does require some identifying information. However, Paula Stannard, a health care … [Read more...] about CQM reporting and HIPAA