Saturday, March 24, 2007

Register Now for the Medicare 2007 Bonus

Doctors if you haven't heard about this already now is the time to register for the first conference call on how to identify if you will be eligible for the 1.5% bonus payment of all charges posted during July 1st - December 31, 2007.

Eligbile Professionals are:
Under PQRI, covered professional services are those paid based on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. To the extent eligible professionals are providing services which get paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, those services are eligible for PQRI.
TRHCA section 101 defines "eligible professional" as the following:
Medicare physician, as defined in Social Security Act (SSA) section 1861(r)
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Osteopathy
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Doctor of Optometry
Doctor of Oral Surgery
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Chiropractor
Practitioners described in SSA section 1842(b)(18)(C)
Physician Assistant
Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Nurse Midwife
Clinical Social Worker
Clinical Psychologist
Registered Dietician
Nutrition Professional
Therapists
Physical Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Qualified Speech-Language Therapist
Eligible professionals who plan to participate in 2007 PQRI should familiarize themselves and their office staff with the PQRI measures that appear to apply to their patients. See Measures/Codes page to access the measures list.

conference Call Details are:
Date: Tuesday, March 27th 2007
Conference Title: 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST

To learn more please visit:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/Downloads/PQRIProviderCall.pdf

To read more about Medicare updates including
Billing Health Insurance Information check out Medicare Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software, medical coding schools, medical coding courses, on line medical billing, medical billing programs

How to find a Taxonomy Code

Have you ever wondered where to find a Taxonomy code? Follow these instructions:

1. Click on http://www.wpc-edi.com/codes/Codes.asp
2. Click on Health Care Provider Taxonomy Code Set under HIPAA-Related Code Lists
3. Click on the + sign if your provider is a Non-Individual or Individual/Groups
4. Search through the sections by clicking on the +


Interested in additional Online Medical Billing and Coding articles? Then click out Billing and Coding Online Courses

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software, medical coding schools, medical coding courses, on line medical billing, medical billing programs, Medicare billing software, medical billing software, medisoft medical billing software, web based medical billing, degree medical billing, electronic medical billing, electronic medical billing software, medical billing education, medical insurance billing software, medical billing and coding course, medical billing online course, medical billing software company, learn medical billing, insurance billing software, medical assistant school, medical billing course, medical billing program, medical billing and coding software, medical billing school,

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Medicare to give BONUS to providers

In December of 2006 a Tax Relief & Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA) was signed by the president. This new Physician quality reporting system allows doctors to volunteer to be included for this incentive bonus.

If Medicare identifies you have successfully reported designated set of quality measures on claims dated from July 1st - December 31 of 2007 YOU may be eligible for a bonus payment...

To learn more visit:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri/

Questions on
Electronic Medical Billing and Claims then click here medical claims electronic billing

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software, medical coding schools, medical coding courses, on line medical billing, medical billing programs, Medicare billing software, medical billing software, medisoft medical billing software, web based medical billing, degree medical billing, electronic medical billing, electronic medical billing software, medical billing education, medical insurance billing software, medical billing and coding course, medical billing online course, medical billing software company, learn medical billing, insurance billing software,

Medicare Crossover has new edits - learn more

Have you been having issues identifying why claims were denied prior to the crossover? If so you can read the attached Medicare document to identify how Medicare is now resolving this issue.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM5472.pdf

Confused by
Electronic Medical Claim billing then read these articles on Billing Health Insurance medical claims

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software, medical coding schools, medical coding courses, on line medical billing, medical billing programs, Medicare billing software, medical billing software, medisoft medical billing software, web based medical billing, degree medical billing, electronic medical billing, electronic medical billing software, medical billing education, medical insurance billing software, medical billing and coding course,

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Websites for Doctors

More and more patients are looking for doctors on the internet. Health insurance carriers like United Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield & Humana list all credentialed/contracted providers on their website which gives doctors an option to post their web-sites.

This is very useful and usually results in more referrals to the office. It's wise for doctors to get a website and maintain it. My suggestions are to focus on a clean web-site with friendly pictures. Have the option for patients to download new patient registration forms to have filled out prior to arriving in the office.

Some software companies now have the option for patients to schedule their own visits and pay their co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance at any time over a secure internet web-site. Search for new features that may actually make your front office work-flow smoother.

The first step to getting a web-site is to identify a Web Hosting software with online web hosting services for hosting software. Next you will find a company that will create a web-site for you and hopefully maintain it. Once you have a web-site contact your insurance carriers you are credentialed with and identify if you can add your website to their directory.

Additional Medical Billing and Codingquestions are answered here: Online Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, Business, Medical Businesses, Physician Businesses, wise medical business practices, medical billing and coding course, medical billing online course, medical billing software company, learn medical billing, insurance billing software, medical assistant school, medical billing course, medical billing program,

Premera Blue Cross Dental update

Starting in 2007 Premera Blue Cross will no longer accept CDT procedure codes that start with the number 0. Submit all CDT procedure codes starting with D as specified in the 07-08 CDT published by the American Dental Assoc.

If you are looking for Dental insurance please visit:
Dental Care Search, compare and choose from more than 30 national and regional money-saving discount dental plans. Take the firststep toward a healthier smile and start saving today!

To view over 250 articles on Medical Billing and Coding information please check out Medical Billing and Coding Articles

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, Dental Care Insurance, Dental Health plans, Dentist Health Insurance, Dentist Care, Dental Insurances

Sinus and Allergies

Are you tired of having sinus and allergy issues? It has been estimated that between 30 - 40 million individuals in the US suffer from chronic sinusitis. About 350,000 procedures are done in the US for Chronic Sinusitis.

Normally a patient has symptoms of difficulty breathing through the nose, tenderness in the face around the eyes and nose, and the worst is frequent headaches. Allergies are a common cause for this illness along with mold or fungi in the sinuses.

New patients to a Sinus facility are usually treated for the Evaluation and Management along with an endoscopy. The biller will bill the E/M code 99241-99245 along with the sinus endoscopy procedure codes like 31231 – 31294. When billing the endoscopy procedure codes are considered unilateral. Please remember to continue to include the 50 bilateral modifier if appropriate.

For more course information on Medical Billing check out Online Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software, medical coding schools, medical coding courses, on line medical billing, medical billing programs, Medicare billing software, medical billing software, medisoft medical billing software, web based medical billing, degree medical billing, electronic medical billing, electronic medical billing software, medical billing education,

Monday, March 5, 2007

Medicare as a Secondary Payer - Liability Situations

MEDICARE AS SECONDARY PAYER (MSP) - LIABILITY SITUATIONS

WPS Medicare understands that there can be confusion in the provider community about billing Medicare or a liability insurer. Providers also are unsure of what amounts they can collect from the patient when a liability situation exits.

If a provider is aware that a liability situation exists, the provider should bill the liability insurer first within a 120-day "promptly paid" period. If the liability insurer does not make payment within this timeframe, the provider has a decision to make. The provider can bill Medicare or pursue the liability claim.


A provider choosing to bill Medicare would bill the charges as usual. Providers not accepting assignment can collect amounts up to the Limiting Charge. Providers accepting assignment can collect deductibles and coinsurance amounts. The provider cannot pursue a lien or claim against the liability insurer or the beneficiary for amounts collected from the liability insurer.

A provider choosing to pursue the liability claim should be aware that they cannot collect any amounts from the patient until the liability claim is completed. Once the liability claim is completed, the provider can collect actual charges up to the amount of the liability claim.

Medicare's timely file limit still applies. Therefore, if the provider pursues the liability claim and there is no payment by the liability insurer, the provider may not collect any amounts from the patient once the timely file limit has expired.

Continued pursuit of collection of the payment of actual charges from the proceeds of the liability insurance after the provider has billed Medicare violates the provider agreement. CMS

(Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) currently has inaccurate information in the Internet Only Manual pertaining to this issue and they are updating the section in question.



To read more about Medicare updates including Billing Health Insurance Information check out Medicare Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software, medical coding schools, medical coding courses, on line medical billing, medical billing programs, Medicare billing software,

Billing Secondary Insurance Claims Electronically

Being a Medical biller in this day and age has some really cool options. My new found favorite is billing my secondary claims electronically. No more having to print the primary EOB and attaching it to the secondary.

Each state has different carriers that allow secondary claims electronically but the big ones like Medicare, Medicaid, United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield are accepting them. Call your local insurance carriers to identify if they accept it.

In my
Medical Billing Software it's as simple as 4 clicks to turn this feature on. And everyone's biggest question is how does the primary EOB get attached to the Secondary claim. Well, it doesn't get attached - paper claims are so different from electronic claims. The electronic claims can transmit so much more information but in lamens terms the claim goes out with the following:

Box 28: Total Charge
Box 29: Amount Paid (this would reflect what the primary insurance paid)
Box 30: Balance Due

This means it's the biller's responsibility to post the primary insurance payment correctly or else you can run into other issues like refunds for overpayments from the secondary etc.

Questions on
Electronic Medical Billing and Claims then click here medical claims electronic billing

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software,

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Common Mistakes in Anesthesia Coding

The most common mistakes in anesthesia coding are the following:

Not billing lines under the appropriate provider of service
Not documenting lines properly
Not billing for cancelled cases
Anesthesia medical direction modifiers not supported in documentation
Missing 5th digit on ICD-9
Missing MAC modifiers and supporting diagnosis
Not supporting physical status modifiers with additional diagnosis coding

Submit cleaner claims by using Reviewing items found on this top Anesthesia denial reason list.



For more course information on Medical Billing check out Online Medical Coding and Billing Courses

Medical Billing and Coding Keyword Tags: medical billings and claims, medical billings claims, medical claims electronic billing, claim billing software, electronic medical claim billing, lytec medical billing software, medical billing schools, medical coding and billing schools, medical billing schools online, medical coding and billing schools online, medical billing classes online, online medical billing school, medical billing and coding courses online, courses online, medical billing classes, chiropractic software, online courses medical billing, medical office billing software, medical coding schools, medical coding courses, on line medical billing, medical billing programs, Medicare billing software, medical billing software, medisoft medical billing software, web based medical billing, degree medical billing, electronic medical billing, electronic medical billing software, medical billing education, medical insurance billing software, medical billing and coding course, medical billing online course, medical billing software company, learn medical billing, insurance billing software, medical assistant school, medical billing course, medical billing program, medical billing and coding software, medical billing school,