February 26th 2024
Your weekly dose of wisdom from the Physicians Practice experts.
October 25th 2023
MGMA Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Anders Gilberg, discusses some of what’s the organization is anticipated in the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule.
August 23rd 2023
Collecting money from patients is an ongoing challenge that has only worsened with high-deductible health plans.
July 31st 2023
May 22nd 2023
Coding for wellness visits and time-based statements
This month’s coding questions look at how timing plays a role with annual checkups and the stipulations that must be met for coding by time.
6 back office billing strategies
Expert advice for turning your back office staff into billing and collections all-stars.
Coding questions on Medicare denials, TCM billing
Coding expert Bill Dacey answers your latest coding questions, including an inquiry on why Medicare denied an initial visit claim.
Technology innovations that will improve your revenue cycle
Embrace electronic billing and electronic verification tools to improve your billings and collections.
3 low tech ways to boost collections
These tried and true tactics can help you improve your billings and collections-without the need for a computer screen.
Reimbursement headaches
Unfortunately, preventative care doesn't prevent physicians from dealing with reimbursement woes.
Coding for patient care outside the office
How to meet patients wherever they are-and ensure you can get paid for telehealth and virtual check-ins.
Coding and billing for advanced practice clinicians
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other advanced practice clinicians may have different coding requirements, adding another layer of complexity to the coding process.
A round up on DOJ actions against coding abuse
A look at recent lawsuits the U.S. Department of Justice has pursued for illegal upcoding, downcoding, and excessive coding claims.
ICD-10: The page-turning best seller
The lesser known follow-up to Dan Brown's international best seller, "The Da Vinci Code," is ICD-10, featuring less clues but plenty of confusing codes. Get your hands on a copy today!
Coding for care on the clock
Take time to clarify the midpoint rule, review CMS’s proposed guidelines for Evaluation & Management, and ask why you’re being instructed to change billing codes.
Getting to zero: strategies to reduce patient balances
Four simple steps can increase collection of patient balances while also preserving the practice-patient relationship.
Collect from patients without breaking the law
Collecting money from patients is a part of practicing medicine. Here’s how to do it legally.
3 steps to simplify patient payments
Most patients want to pay their bills. Here’s how you can make it easier for them to do so.
Coding for repacking wound care and diabetic shock
Coding expert Bill Dacey explores coding for ongoing wound care and unexpected, extended care for a diabetic patient.
Get your EHR, practice management software to work together
Integrating your EHR and practice management software is easier than you think.
Four reasons to integrate EHR and practice management software
Thinking of integrating your EHR and practice management software? Here are four reasons why you should.
Establishing ‘contact’ under transitional care management codes
Is a phone message sufficient to use the TCM coding series? Plus, guidance on advanced care planning codes.
The billing conundrum
The decision of whether to keep billing in-house or outsource is not always about cost. It’s about the value realized for the expense and the risk of not getting it right.
Three keys to efficiently collect from patients
In some ways, collecting directly from patients can be harder than dealing with payers. Here’s how to make it work.
Billing success starts at the medical practice front desk
Use your front desk wisely to prevent problems later in the billing cycle.
4 tips to better negotiate with payers
You may be able to negotiate for better reimbursement. Here’s what you need to know to improve your chances of success with payers.
Bill properly for your practice’s NPPs
Non-physician practitioners, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, can save time and money, but know how to bill for their services.
Help patients better understand your practice’s financial policies
Addressing a patient’s ability and willingness to pay for services upfront can go far towards a practice’s financial health.
Communicating problem status in the assessment and plan
This month's coding questions tackle the issue of problem “status,” TCM codes, and "quality" coding.
Improper Billing and Testing Will Get Physicians in Trouble
Two DOJ cases provide important reminders to physicians on listing the proper provider for claims and to meet testing guidelines.
Get the Right Answer from Analytics by Asking the Right Questions
Affecting real change with clinical or claims analytics isn’t about getting the right report, it’s about asking “How?” and “Why?”
5 Common Reasons Your Claims are Bouncing Back
A few easy-to-fix mistakes lie behind most denied or returned insurance claims.
Analyze Your Practice Data to Optimize Profits
Money can leak out of practices in surprising ways. Analyzing your data can show where you’re losing income.
9 Overall Tax Strategies for Physicians
Here are nine tips that can help physicians maximize revenues and sail smoothly through tax season into next year.