Renee Stantz

What is the purpose of an audit and how can that help our medical practice?

Our office is starting to do a monthly audit of our physician charts. We’re going to be looking at documentation and coding to make sure they are on the right track. When we’re conducting these audits, do we have to use either 1995 or 1997 guidelines or can we combine the two?

So you’ve decided to get your practice ready to use ICD-10-CM coding. Where do you begin? Our experts recommend these steps.

This month's question asks about the use of modifiers for services performed before a hospital admission. Find out the answer to this pressing coding question.

This month's questions ask about coding for tuberculosis skin tests and noncoverage notice updates. Find out the answers to these pressing coding questions.

This month's question asks about coding for vaccines. Find out the answer to this pressing coding question.

What must intensive behavioral counseling for obesity include to be reimbursed by Medicare? Find out the answer to this pressing coding question.

If you're performing routine physicals for patients with Medicare, you may wonder how you'll be compensated for cognitive functioning or depression screening. Find out the answer to this pressing coding question.

Understanding the status of consultation codes

Various areas of coding, including preventive care, smoking cessation, are addressed

Allowing a doctor to bill for a discharge the night before it occurs prevents a situation in which patients are occupying hospital beds solely in wait of a physician.

Can I bill for a preoperative visit, and if so, what CPT code should be used?

Unfortunately, even though there are CPT codes for simpler procedures, there is currently no code for ring removal or entrapment.

Our physicians don't want to report code 90465 when children under 8 years of age are vaccinated, because they do not provide any counseling.

Medicare will cover an H1N1 test if it is not covered by a state or local health department.

There is a new, specific code to use when primary care physicians administer an injection of iron.

Third-party payers have been slow to adapt to group medical visits, meaning billing can be difficult.

A patient encounter with a nurse does not mean you can automatically bill using code 99211.

The sports physicals you'll perform for many of your young patients before they go back to school can be done at the same time you do regular well visits.

Is it legal to charge a modest amount to each Medicare patient that is provided 24-hour coverage?