Risky Language: Facet Joint Injection Denials Article Reference Code: NAMAS.04.17.2026 Written by: Robin Sewell CCS, CDIP, CPC, CIC, CCDS I recently reviewed a handful of RAC denials for Medical Necessity of facet joint procedures. Interestingly, the denials mainly focused on one single bullet in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management. Namely,…
The Phrase That Pays: Problem Addressed vs. Problem Listed Article Reference Code: NAMAS.04.10.2026 Written by: Keisha Wilson, CHC, CCS, CPC, CPCO, CPMA, CRC, CPB, AAPC Approved Instructor A Compliance, Coding, and Documentation Perspective For decades, the 1995 and 1997 Evaluation and Management (E/M) Documentation Guidelines trained us to audit based on “quantity”, counting body systems, history…
The Hidden Compliance Risk Sitting Inside Your Templates Article Reference Code: NAMAS.04.03.2026 Written by: Toni Elhoms, CCS, CPC, CPMA, CRC, CEMA Documentation templates earned their place in healthcare because they brought consistency to clinical documentation, reduced omissions, and made it possible to keep up with a clinical pace that does not slow down just because the…
Production VS Quality: What We Forget When We Audit Fast Article Reference Code: NAMAS.03.27.2026 Written by: Sonal Patel, BA, CPMA, CPC, CMC In large organizations, certified medical auditing professionals are faced with competing metrics: production auditing versus quality auditing. Leadership within these entities often set high-volume expectations for their medical auditors to expedite and complete per…
Teaching E/M Coding: The 15-Minute Elevator Pitch to Physicians Article Reference Code: NAMAS.03.20.2026 Written by: Betty Hovey, BSHAM, CPC, COC, CPMA, CPCD, CPB, CPC-I, CCS-P, CDIP, CPA-EDU, CEMA, CPA-SA Why a Quick, Memorable Pitch Matters “Hey Doc, you’ve got a packed schedule, patients waiting, and probably zero patience for another hour-long educational session that feels like death…