September 9, 2022 | By Stacie L. Buck, RHIA, CCS-P, RCC, RCCIR, CIRCC Each day thousands of patients are undergoing one or more therapeutic interventions, the most common ones being angioplasty, stent and atherectomy of the lower extremity arteries to treat various forms of peripheral vascular disease. This article will highlight the most common…
You know, sometimes, as coders and auditors, we’re the last ones to know about new things that come into the office, but sometimes we should be the first. This past week I got an e-mail from a friend (who is also a client and NAMAS member) who said their office received a new type of…
I would like to make things right the first time so often, that they have errors and I need to make corrections -and the same is true for providers. In this post, I would like to approach the topic of addendums. The thing about addendums is… there are no clear-cut rules – except how to…
April 8, 2022 | By Sean Weiss, CHC, CEMA, CMCO, CPMA, CPC-P, CMPE, CPC Four months into 2022 and the question is: How far along is your audit of high, medium, and low-risk services? If you are like most practices or health systems, something always gets in the way and causes audits to take…
March 25, 2022 | By Kim Jolivette Williams Medical terminology related to abortions can be puzzling, but it is essential to understand the differences. Having a clear comprehension of several abortions terms is a vital component to achieve successful coding. First, let’s cover what is anesthesia. Per the ASA- American Society of Anesthesiologists, General Anesthesia…
January 14, 2022 | By Shannon DeConda, CPC, CEMC, CEMA, CPMA, CRTT In 2022, when we sit down to configure an audit plan, we often consider whether we will perform an audit retrospectively or prospectively and whether the sample will include evaluation and management (E&M) services, procedures or some combination of them both. What we…
December 3, 2020 | By Holly Cassano, CPC, CRC There are not many positives that are generally born out of a Pandemic, but for the COVID 19 Pandemic, there have been a few and one of them is the creation of the HRSA Uninsured Portal. I call it a provider “Godsend” as it has…
September 28, 2021 | By Shannon DeConda, CPC, CEMC, CEMA, CPMA, CRTT The mechanics of auditing can, of course, be acquired through a training course; but then when you find yourself in certain audit roles, you may recognize the lack of experience within skills briefly mentioned during that training. So, how do you work…
October 15, 2021 | By Michele Stevens If your facility and/or practice is providing infusion, hydration, and injection services they should be included in your annual compliance auditing plans to ensure proper coding guidelines are being followed and documentation education is not necessary to assist with any loss of revenue gaps. Infusion, hydration, and…
March 5, 2021 | By Stephanie Allard, CPC, CEMA, RHIT When I begin to work with a new client on an auditing project, I like to set up a meeting with them before we begin, to talk through the steps that I take as an auditor and to discuss their reason for the audit…