Smart Reasons to Outsource Medical Billing: Why Small Healthcare Practices Should Act Now
Why Small Healthcare Practices Should Outsource Medical Billing Outsource Medical Billing is becoming one of the smartest decisions small healthcare practices can make in today’s complex healthcare environment. Managing billing internally may seem cost-effective at first, but many small clinics quickly discover that in-house billing can create serious challenges such as claim denials, compliance risks, […]
7 Powerful Ways Medical Billing Services Reduce Claim Denials and Boost Revenue
Medical Billing Services: 7 Ways They Reduce Claim Denials Medical Billing Services play a crucial role in helping healthcare providers maintain steady revenue while avoiding the frustrating problem of insurance claim denials. For many practices, claim denials can become a serious financial burden, causing delayed payments, lost revenue, and administrative stress. Studies show that a […]
We Must Be Able To Trust The FDA Vaccine Approval Process
The introduction of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is an essential element in ending this devastating global pandemic. Both physicians and the public must have confidence that efforts to speed vaccine development have not interfered with a thorough, evidence-based review of vaccine candidates, or standards for safety and efficacy. As an allergist/immunologist for 30 […]
ICD-10 Overview
The transition to ICD-10 occurred on Oct. 1, 2015. As a HIPAA-mandated code set, all covered entities (physicians, other health care providers, payers and clearinghouses) must use ICD-10 to be in compliance with HIPAA. (Note: Property and casualty, auto and workers’ compensation insurance are not covered entities and are therefore not required to comply with […]
Preventive Steps
Take time to get a flu vaccine. Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected […]
Wildfire Smoke And COVID-19
Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that cause COVID-19. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for wildfires might be a little different this year. Know how wildfire smoke can affect you and your loved ones during the […]
Developing A Hospital Claim Validation Strategy To Prevent Denials
The time to strengthen hospital compliance programs through claim validation is now. According to healthcare finance and information management leaders surveyed by HIMSS Media, clinical documentation and coding were the revenue cycle processes most vulnerable to errors that could result in lost or decreased revenue. These issues are leading to an uptick in claim denials […]
3 Billing Codes Physicians Should Use
Doctors and practice administrators are always looking for how to maximize profits. As a coding/billing consultant, chart auditor, and educator, I’m often asked about ways to improve coding. Here are three codes that I find are often misunderstood, underused, or unknown. Practices that know about these codes—and how to use them—may be able to earn […]
What Are The Benefits Of Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)?
As healthcare organizations continue to utilize data that is becoming increasingly complex, it is essential that the data is captured and documented properly. Clinical documentation improvement (CDI) helps ensure that the events of the patient encounter are captured accurately and the electronic health record properly reflects the services that were provided. “Successful clinical documentation improvement […]
2022 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines Released, Highlighted By Post-COVID-19 Guidance
2022 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines Released, Highlighted by Post-COVID-19 Guidance Released earlier in the year than in the past, the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting of ICD-10-CM became available online on July 12. You can access the full guideline document at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: 2022 ICD-10-CM Guidelines (cdc.gov). There are […]