Auditing Facility Services: Changes to evaluation and management (E/M) services in 2021 and 2023 have excited and confused auditors. I am glad that the seemingly trivial criteria required for the level of service (history, testing) are an advantage to confusion when implementing new medical decisions (MDM) in a balanced environment. In early 2021, AAPC Services […]
Prior authorization transformation of consent is a source of worry and concern for everyone involved: patients, members, providers, and payers. What was needed was a structure to coordinate all stakeholders and organize the program. In January 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized requirements to expedite the authorization process; this requirement will […]
Getting bogged down by authorization denials? You’re not alone. Here, we explore common roadblocks and effective strategies to keep your revenue flowing smoothly. Challenge: Drowning in Last-Minute Authorizations Solution: Divide and Conquer with a Multi-Team Approach Separate teams can tackle present and future authorizations. The “Today” team verifies benefits and identifies authorization needs for upcoming […]
Modifiers 52: Professional fee-for-service guidelines for modifiers do not apply in the clinical setting. Reduced, Failed, Aborted, Aborted… which one? What are the requirements for using modifiers 52, 73 and 74? These questions are common in the coding center world, and the answers never seem to be clear. Confusingly mix up the medical code instructions […]
It is important to note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule of 1996 established standards for protecting individuals’ electronic personal health information (PHI). This includes any identifiable health information, such as medical records and histories, medical bills, and lab results, among others. A covered entity, including healthcare providers, health plans, […]
The Rising Denial Rates in Healthcare Claims Processing Initial Claim Denials: In a new survey conducted by healthcare Company an increased percentage of initial claims are denied by private payers, including pre-approvals for medical claims. Hospitals, health systems, and post-acute care providers may have a difficult time getting paid for medical services. The survey respondents […]
Claims Denial: Healthcare Leaders report an increase in payer denials, putting increasing pressure on the system’s finances. Going back and forth with denied payers is a long and expensive process, and low reimbursement rates don’t help either. In a new survey conducted by the Healthcare Financial Management Association, CFOs noted a significant increase in denials, […]
Providers who spend too much on RCM staff and processes, or who experience a high rate of claims denials, should consider outsourcing their medical billing requirements. While our experts chase down payments, you can provide the care, receive the funds, and improve your key performance indicators. Outsource RCM makes sense Why Healthcare Providers Are Turning […]
Medicare Conversion factor are up but payouts are still down compared to last year. Healthcare professionals will see a slight upward adjustment to their Medicare payments starting March 9 after President Biden signs the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2024. Really fortunately, although the 2024 CAA increases the conversion factor (CF) finalized for calendar year (CY) […]
The official April 2024 update to the HCPCS Level II code set is now available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website. April update includes: 62 new codes 2 changes to scope and long description 21 obsolete codes 11 changes to long description 1 change to changes miscellaneous changes Below are some code […]










