Get office paperwork in shape for payment reform

Article Abstract:

New Medicare reimbursement and audit procedures require that physicians update their computer systems to provide proper documentation of bills. The 1992 Current Procedure Terminology, outlining codes for services, and the latest International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM) must be in use to prevent loss of income. Master lists of those codes most often used in the physician's practice should be set up on the office computer for reference use. Also presented are steps to take in updating bills, records and claim forms.

Information management

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HCFA revises documentation policy for Medicare visits

Article Abstract:

Health Care Financing Administration rules governing Medicare documentation policies for consultation and visit codes are detailed. Topics include: reporting of visit codes based on time spent coordinating care; documentation for physical examinations; policies for determining new patients in multispecialty practices; use of CPT code 93014 to bill and be paid for electrocardiogram interpretations; billing critical care services outside of a critical care area; and use of emergency department visit codes.

Laws, regulations and rules, Health services administration, Medical consultation

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Medicare to pay for pre- and post-surgical consults

Article Abstract:

Medicare has changed its regulations to allow physicians to bill Medicare for pre- and post-surgical consultations at the request of the surgeon. Conditions for such a billing are described; for example, the surgeon must request the opinion and note the request in the patient's record. In addition, a new Medicare policy for billing psychiatric evaluation and management services provided on the same day is described.

Management, Practice, Relative value scale payment systems (Medical care)

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