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Each month in Ambulatory Surgery and Compliance Reimbursement Insider you get more of our exclusive working tools: model guidelines, policies, forms, etc., that you can use to comply with OIG and HCFA, reduce claim denials, and get paid in full and on time.

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Ambulatory Surgery Coding & Reimbursement Insider

Issue 12, December 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Billing rules for devices can be different for each payer

  Medicare significantly changed the way it pays ASCs January 1, but not all insurers changed. This...

• Ambulatory Surgery Coding & Reimbursement Insider 2008 index

  Coding tips Be a G whiz: Understand when to assign G codes. Nov., p. 6. Break the chain of...

• Medicare modifiers for ASCs

  Not all payers want ASCs to use modifiers the same way, which can lead to confusion. However, using...

Issue 11, November 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• ASC tackles CFCs to avoid tumult in the future

  Although the final word from CMS on the conditions for coverage (CFC) seems imminent, many ASCs do...

• Be a G whiz: Understand when to assign G codes

  Coding for orthopedics can be complicated due to the complexity of the anatomy involved in the...

• Medicare modifiers for ASCs: -50, -52, -58, and -59

  by Stephanie Ellis, RN, CPC, of Ellis Medical Consulting, Inc. Editor’s note: This article is...

Issue 10, October 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Tips to tackle five ASC operational challenges

  The changes outlined in the ASC proposed rule for 2009 are not as jarring as the changes that took...

• Understand the billing methods for different types of lenses

  Billing for lenses when patients have cataract surgery is generally straightforward. Coders most...

• Check up on ASCs under the 2008 Medicare payment system

  by Stephanie Ellis, RN, CPC, of Ellis Medical Consulting, Inc. It’s been nine months since...

Issue 9, September 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• ASC 2009 proposed rule holds few surprises

  Many in the ASC community were relieved to learn that the fiscal year 2009 ASC proposed rule held...

• Don't shoot your finances in the foot

  Coding for podiatry can be fairly complicated due to the number of procedures that may be involved...

• Implement a payment policy and stick to it

  The best way to prepare your staff members to handle patient requests for payment arrangements is...

• Choose the correct code when reporting SI joint injections

  When coding sacroiliac (SI) joint injections, ASC coders are frequently faced with a quandary about...

Issue 8, August 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Review troublesome urology codes, coding practices

  Coding and shortcuts rarely go hand in hand. As with any specialty, when coding for urology, coders...

• Take caution with out-of-network billing strategies

  Some ASCs might be tempted to exercise an out-of-network billing strategy, but before doing so...

• Tackle 12 important medical record documentation issues

  ASC business offices have a lot to worry about. With so much to keep track of-coding, billing...

Issue 7, July 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• CMS adds four separately payable drugs, deletes two other drug codes from list

  In April, CMS issued the first quarterly update to the ASC payment system. The changes and billing...

• Stay current on the most recent AMA coding guidelines

  For ASCs that offer pain management services, it is important to review past and present AMA...

• ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding: The key to coverage, payment

  Diagnosis codes are important to getting your claims paid. They are the mechanism for providing...

Issue 6, June 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Take a closer look at new orthopedic procedures

  The inclusion of several orthopedic procedures to the ASC-approved list brings with it the...

• Educate and reeducate physicians on documentation

  Complete and accurate coding hinges upon complete physician documentation. Physicians must document...

• Offset lower phase-in payments with enhanced service mix

  For procedures that have significant device components, but whose devices may not be so expensive...

• Understand the new cholecystectomy procedures

  Starting this year, Medicare has approved a broader base of patients upon whom ASCs can perform...

Issue 5, May 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Don't ignore NCCI edits and payment indicators

  ASCs are four months into the new payment system, but many coders are still perplexed about how to...

• Improve coding ophthalmology at your ASC

  Stay alert for new treatments; look for missed reimbursement opportunities Even though ASCs are...

• Understand gynecology procedures to ensure correct coding

  In order to accurately code gynecology procedures, a coder must first understand: The approach...

Issue 4, April 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• CMS issues four new payable drug codes

  As of January 1, CMS announced four additional C codes payable in the ASC payment system. These...

• Break the chain of common coding errors

  Editor's note: This article is the second in a two-part series. The cause of many common coding...

• Solve knee coding procedure puzzles

  Coding knee procedures can be confusing and challenging. This is especially the case when a...

Issue 3, March 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Plan implementation carefully to reap the rewards of an EHR system

  Editor's note: This article is the second in a two-part series. The first article ran in the...

• Two strategies to make ASC investment more attractive

  Q: Our surgery center would like to try to increase profits by bringing in new physicians, so we...

• Common coding mistakes by specialty

  Editor's note: This article is the first in a two-part series. Many common coding mistakes are...

• Know the new and revised CPT orthopedic codes

  The AMA made some significant changes to the orthopedic section of the 2008 CPT Manual. This...

Issue 2, February 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Discover the pros and cons of joint ventures with hospitals

  The decision to enter into a joint venture with a hospital is gaining appeal for some potential ASC...

• Tips to help ensure successful EHR implementation

  Editor's note: This is the first article in a two-part series. If you're preparing to implement...

• Stay on top of 2008 modifier updates

  Modifiers are two-digit symbols that coders append to current procedural terminology (CPT) codes to...

Issue 1, January 1, 2008 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Take action now that payment rates are final

  CMS' final rule on outpatient payment rates this year will generally compensate ASCs 65% of the...

• Four tips to improve physician documentation

  Editor's note: This article is the second in a two-part series. Approaching physicians and...

• Examine important 2008 Medicare changes

  CMS assumes that approximately 25% of the HOPD volume of new ASC surgical procedures will migrate...