NO! While the practice of routinely waiving a patient’s co-pay or balance may seem like a harmless favor, it actually can be a violation of a provider’s contract with insurance companies. Several of our clients have asked us directly if it is OK to accept insurance payments and then make a courtesy adjustment on the patient’s share of healthcare expenses. In order to provide a response in “black-and-white,” we draw ...

Here we are in the midst of flu season — is your healthcare team current with the coverage, coding, billing, and reimbursement guidelines for seasonal flu vaccinations? If you need to brush up, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid  Services (CMS) recently published a helpful compilation of resources on vaccination billing for the 2012-2013 flu season. MLN Seasonal Influenza Related Products for Health Care Professionals: • MLN Matters Article MM8047: Influenza ...

It has come to our attention that several commercial insurance carriers have been sending providers a letter that notifies them of an upcoming change to their fee schedule. We encourage healthcare providers and billing companies to carefully review the mail that they receive and pay attention to any correspondence from insurance carriers that discusses a change in fee schedules. The letters may be accompanied by a sample of the new ...

On Friday, August 24, 2012, it was announced by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that the new compliance date for ICD-10 is October 1, 2014. This announcement comes after HHS announced in April 2012 that the original October 1, 2013 deadline would be pushed back, but no final replacement date had been established until today. The final rule will be formally published in the Federal Register Sept. 5th, but a preview can be viewed online at the Office ...

Yesterday, August 23, 2012, it was announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for Stage 2 of the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Meaningful Use Incentive Programs. U.S. Secretary Sebelius states, “The changes we are announcing today will lead to more coordination of patient care, reduced medical errors, elimination of duplicate screenings and tests and patient engagement in their own care.” In Healthcare ...

ICD-9 diagnosis codes that begin with an “E” indicate the external causes of injuries and poisonings, as well as the adverse effects of drugs and substances. For example, E905.3 is used to report a hornet/wasp/bee sting; E880.0 for a fall from stairs or escalator;  E851 for accidental poisoning by barbiturates.  E codes are meant to be used as supplemental codes – never the primary diagnosis – and serve an informational purpose for ...

To be eligible to receive the Medicare EHR Incentive Program payment for 2012, healthcare providers must begin their 90-day reporting period on or before Wednesday, October 3, 2012. The Medicare EHR Incentive Program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals that demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Even though providers were eligible to begin participation last year (2011), it is not too late to qualify for the maximum incentive ...

July 19, 2012 Healthcare Data Management, Inc. extends its warmest congratulations to Jaclyn Sorbo on her recent CPC-A accomplishment. Ms. Sorbo has been an integral part of the HDM medical billing team for over three years. On Wednesday, July 18, 2012, Ms. Sorbo received official confirmation from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) that she has completed all requirements and examinations to receive her title as a Certified Professional ...

June 29, 2012   The American Medical Association published a June 14 article about the booming expansion of mobile medical devices. The Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will allow wireless monitoring devices to transmit data on spectrum bands that were previously limited to use by the aerospace industry. Medical Body Area Networks (MBANs) that transmit vital signs will now be allowed access to this wireless spectrum. This allows physicians ...