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The 2023 CPT® Errata and Technical Corrections added a one-liner on Independent Interpretations that responds to the question, “Can a practitioner get credit for both ordering and interpretation of a test, if documented?” In this episode of the CodeCast podcast, Terry answers this question referencing the March 2023 CPT® Errata and Technical Corrections. She also […] The post Can you get credit for ordering and interpretation of a test? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this episode of the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses the differences between APCM and CCM services and what is needed to report either. Compliance issues are seen with many care management service records. Terry covers how to follow best practices to ensure you follow the published guidance. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our […] The post APCM Focus appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
This week's CodeCast summarizes the recent ICD-10-CM documentation guidelines instructions on sepsis, obesity, and COVID-19 reporting. Terry also provides more guidance on E/M risk in prescription drug management and caution with PSAs in patient documentation. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/1lA69Q7EnjSMuVr3sXVWlX TuneIn – https://tunein.com/radio/CodeCast–Medical-Billing-p1056702/ YouTube […] The post ICD-10-CM April 1st Updates appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Terry takes some inspiration from Stephanie Allard's February 27th for this edition of the CodeCast podcast. Terry discusses the differences and subjective issues between Acute Uncomplicated Illness (or Injury) versus Acute Complicated Illness in the E/M elements of coding and auditing. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 […] The post Acute Uncomplicated vs. Acute Complicated E/M Auditing appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Becoming a certified medical coder can be very exciting but also disheartening if you thought a job in coding would magically appear once you got your certification. In this episode of the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses studying and test-taking tips for your certification, common misconceptions of job opportunities, and what it takes to persevere for […] The post Coding Career Opportunities and Challenges appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Today on the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses best practices for the -25 Modifier, where to find her latest blog on the AAPC website, and what the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement means to our country. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/1lA69Q7EnjSMuVr3sXVWlX TuneIn – https://tunein.com/radio/CodeCast–Medical-Billing-p1056702/ […] The post The 25 Modifier and More appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this edition of the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses the “subtle changes” to look for in the ICD-10-CM updates effective October 1st. Also, Terry clears up understanding the UHC Gold Card Program, and what CMS looks at when they send you a denial. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts […] The post RCM Updates for 4th Quarter appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
According to the AMA, most physicians lack training in “webside manner.” Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System surveyed 1,213 patients from their respective institutions to measure preferences regarding the visual background seen during a video visit. Today's CodeCast podcast brings you the survey results, with […] The post Telemedicine “Webside Manner” appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Sometimes there are coding, compliance, and billing questions that we struggle to find answers to in any published guidance or specific regulatory rules. This week on the CodeCast podcast, Terry brings up three specific questions that we are always hunting for answers to and the best way to deal with them. Subscribe and Listen You […] The post Sometimes the rules are as “clear as mud” appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this episode of the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses ABI billing, Level 5 Drug Toxicity options, Aortic Stenosis ICD-10-CM coding, and some questions related to the 2025 CMS proposals. Listen this episode to see if any of your Coding Corner questions made the podcast cut! Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Coding, Billing, and Compliance Questions appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
This edition of the CodeCast podcast focuses on coding heart caths. When coding for cardiac catheterizations, if you don't have a working knowledge of this specialty it can be a bit challenging. That's why it's time to get back to the basics. Terry provides some tips into this coding concept, and what to look for […] The post Coding a Heart Cath appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
This week on the CodeCast podcast Terry returns with her Top 10 Tuesday Q&A series. Join us as Terry covers questions covering risk support for E/M, Telehealth in the hospital setting, missed appointments, follow-up testing protocols, shared visit modifiers, and more. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 Spotify […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Coding, Billing, and Compliance Questions appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
CMS published their PFS on July 10th. You have 90 days to comment and be heard on these changes including the proposed 2.93% reduction to the Physician Fee schedule. In this edition of the CodeCast, Terry goes over the talking points and what Part B providers can expect coming into the new 2025 calendar year. […] The post CMS Newsroom Update: Physician Fee Schedule 2025 appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Terry discusses when it is and isn't appropriate to report a preventative visit with an office visit on the same date. How did the patient present? What is the share of the cost-to-patient implications? And what will payers want to see for medical necessity? Terry covers it all in this edition of CodeCast podcast. Subscribe […] The post Office Visit with Preventative Med appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In today's episode of the CodeCast podcast, Terry updates you on the latest CMS NCCI Edits, effective July 1st. She gives you the insight on the PTP and MUEs expected, along with some commentary and best practices on charging patients for no-show appointments. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts […] The post NCCI Updates 30.2 and No Show Appointments appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
This week on the CodeCast podcast Terry returns with her Top 10 Tuesday Q&A series. Join us as Terry covers questions from Urgent Care to the ER, infusion charges, behavioral health, billing for unlisted codes, preventative med group codes, and more. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Coding, Billing, and Compliance Questions appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Many of the records Terry audits include a disclaimer to protect a physician from liability. However, does this disclaimer shield a physician who has signed a note or authenticated an electronic encounter? (Under the assumption the physician reviewed it?) In this episode of the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses the protections of a disclaimer and whether this […] The post Is a Medical Record “Errors Disclaimer” Valid? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this episode of the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses the frequent urgent care center encounters that elevate to the patient going to the ER. Is this considered automatically high risk? So many providers want level 5, but what if it's to get testing or services unavailable at the UC? Terry discusses the complexities and compliance […] The post Urgent Care to ER Coding appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Critical care in 2024 can be tricky, with inclusions, carve-outs, and a time component. Are there exceptions when PA/NPs are involved in critical care services? What has to be documented? You may find some rules you didn't know about. Terry has all of the answers in this episode of the CodeCast podcast, sponsored by Decision […] The post Critical Care Inclusions and Carve-Outs appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this week's episode of the CodeCast podcast Terry discusses collecting information on medical practice websites. How you collect data on a website is equally as important as the data itself. If a patient doesn't mention a medical condition, their information may still be considered as PHI. Terry covers requirements, such as PHE and ePHI […] The post Did you know this is a HIPAA violation? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Join Terry Fletcher on this week's CodeCast as her Top 10 Tuesday returns. Terry has a packed podcast as she answers questions about G2211, 99459, and new versus established patients. This is one episode you don't want to miss for insights and resources to your most important coding, billing, and compliance questions. Subscribe and Listen You […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Coding, Billing and Compliance Questions appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
This episode of the CodeCast is sponsored by DecisionHealth LLC, Part B News. The PHE, public health emergency, ended on May 11th, 2023. However, the confusion on reporting Telehealth services continues. It is imperative to be up-to-date on all of the current published guidance. In this episode, Terry shares her Telehealth services tips and checklist […] The post 2024 Telehealth Checklist appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
The AMA MDM directions when leveling an E/M (Evaluation and Management) code (also known as office and/or hospital visits) are still confusing many providers, coders and auditors. In this week's CodeCast podcast, Terry attempts to bring some clarity into the Data Points discussion, regarding independent interpretations versus reviewed note. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe […] The post EM Data Points Confusion Clarifications appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
The AMA MDM directions when leveling an E/M (Evaluation and Management) code (also known as office and/or hospital visits) are still confusing many providers, coders and auditors. In this week's CodeCast podcast, Terry attempts to bring some clarity into the Data Points discussion, regarding independent interpretations versus reviewed note. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe […] The post EM Data Points Confusion Clarifications appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this week's CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses the top ten coding, billing, and compliance questions from the last month. In this information-filled episode, she covers coding for staff prolonged services codes, how a physician order must be documented, what constitutes critical care coding, and more. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Coding, Billing and Compliance Questions appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this week's CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses the top ten coding, billing, and compliance questions from the last month. In this information-filled episode, she covers coding for staff prolonged services codes, how a physician order must be documented, what constitutes critical care coding, and more. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Coding, Billing and Compliance Questions appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
When a dietician or nutritionist sees a patient, their services may not covered for bariatric patients aka obesity. It is a nice option to have, but patients, would most likely, have to pay for it themselves. Medicare is clear that they will pay for an obesity screening, and two behavioral health visits, if qualified, but […] The post Registered Dietitians and Nutritionist Coding and Billing appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Social Determinates of Health are important secondary diagnoses to help explain a patient's circumstances when it comes to access to medical care, adherence to medical advice, and environmental factors that could hinder care. However, many practices are reporting these codes without a direct relationship to the problems addressed in the encounter. This week Terry discusses […] The post Using SDoH (Social Determinates of Health) Correctly appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
CMS has not addressed a template for audio-only Telehealth visits. Therefore, Terry offers some best practices for audio-only documentation in order to stand up to and be compliant with payer audits. Terry will also talks about when E/M services are partially complete: is there anything to bill? Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our […] The post Documentation Requirements for Audio-Only Visits appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Terry revisits the rule on reporting specificity in the laterality of a diagnosis, when the physician or QHP only gives us unspecified. What can we do as coders? As a bonus, Terry also updates us on the latest “No Surprises Act” protections. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – […] The post ICD10CM Revisited on Laterality appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
QHPs are often certified and must be licensed. Trying to use clinicians that cannot “independently report services to payers” as QHPs will not only flag you for an audit, but you could find yourself in hot water for false billing practices. Terry offers clear guidelines to steer clear of these issues on this episode of […] The post Defining a QHP appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
On an abbreviated edition of the CodeCast, it's "out with the old and in with the new" as Terry gives some quick tips on updating your outdated EMR template relating to E/M 2023 coding. The post Revisiting The EMR E/M Template appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
On an abbreviated edition of the CodeCast, it's "out with the old and in with the new" as Terry gives some quick tips on updating your outdated EMR template relating to E/M 2023 coding. The post Revisiting The EMR E/M Template appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
This week on the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses external audits, and what you should be looking for when moving from internal to external audits. What are your objectives? Are they SMEs for your practice? What is the scope you need? It's time to get some piece of mind in your coding, billing and compliance processes. […] The post What are you looking for in an audit? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
This week on the CodeCast podcast, Terry discusses external audits, and what you should be looking for when moving from internal to external audits. What are your objectives? Are they SMEs for your practice? What is the scope you need? It's time to get some piece of mind in your coding, billing and compliance processes. […] The post What are you looking for in an audit? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Many virtual visit options are available to patients when they initiate patient-to-physician contact. The definition seems to be lost in all of the Telehealth visits, so in this week's CodeCast podcast episode, Terry attempts to clarify that definition and help listeners understand how to document that discussion. PIFU is when a patient initiates an appointment […] The post Patient Initiated Services: What does it mean? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Many virtual visit options are available to patients when they initiate patient-to-physician contact. The definition seems to be lost in all of the Telehealth visits, so in this week's CodeCast podcast episode, Terry attempts to clarify that definition and help listeners understand how to document that discussion. PIFU is when a patient initiates an appointment […] The post Patient Initiated Services: What does it mean? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
Reporting 99211 can bring additional revenue into your practice. Appropriately reporting 99211 services can also improve documentation in a practice. Terry discusses the qualifiers for the 99211, such as having an established patient, the encounter must be F2F and more. Listen for your tips on how to ensure compliance when reporting the 99211. As a […] The post Appropriately Reporting 99211 Services appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
On this edition of the CodeCast Podcast, Terry gives you the top ten Telehealth changes to implement or get ready for now. Now that the PHE is over, there's no time to wait to make sure you are compliant with your Telehealth delivery of care. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: […] The post Top 10 Telehealth Changes NOW! appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
There is an ongoing debate about ICD-10-CM and diagnosis coding: should we code the patient complaints, the signs and symptoms, or go straight to the definitive diagnosis? When is it appropriate to code both? Do the payers really look at diagnoses? And how does this affect MA and value-based care and HCC capture? Tune in […] The post Should you code the definitive condition or signs/symptoms? [Fixed Audio] appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
It's important to take stock of what could be lost in a technological transition from physician charting to “Dr. Echo” charting as it is referred to. AI (Artificial Intelligence) chatbots (such as ChatGPT) are known to have what the coders call “hallucinations” or making up words that might follow another word. Do we want the […] The post A Warning About AI Charting appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
With the current climate of audits, medical practices must have knowledgeable healthcare professionals who are up-to-date with regulatory guidance, CPT rules, ICD-10-CM rules, and all things related to pre-PHE and post-PHE regulations. On this episode of the CodeCast Podcast, Terry Fletcher addresses concerns over what practices can and cannot bill for. “Can I code for […] The post Can I Really Bill For That? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this episode of the CodeCast Podcast, Terry talks about denial management codes, finding the patient's MBI number, and understanding the realities of some Digital EM visits and ChatGBT responses to patients. The post Denials Management and EM Realities appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
There is so much published guidance out there for medical practices and professionals to use when setting policies in their offices. Every practice should have a compliance program, but most do not. What happens when there is an infraction of regulatory rules? Do you have a plan, policy, or legal team in place to help? […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Are You Compliant With Regulatory Guidance? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this episode of the CodeCast, Terry discusses the challenges of reporting an add-on service when no base code was performed. Terry also covered urgent care versus retail care rules, and if it is appropriate to follow incident-to for these entities. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 […] The post Reporting add-on codes with no base code appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
In this episode of the CodeCast, Terry discusses the challenges of reporting an add-on service when no base code was performed. Terry also covered urgent care versus retail care rules, and if it is appropriate to follow incident-to for these entities. Subscribe and Listen You can subscribe to our podcasts via: Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/codecast-medical-billing-coding-insights/id1305926627 […] The post Reporting add-on codes with no base code appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
For physician practices that use injectable drugs for stress tests, paid injections, or therapeutic services, some modifiers can assist in reporting to Medicare if there were discarded vials or if the drug was used in its entirety. CMS originally had one modifier – the JW – to represent single-dose containers or single-use packages. Because of […] The post Modifiers JZ and JW Discarded Drugs appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
A variety of channels have produced education on the 2021 and 2021 AMA E/M changes. Those channels include articles in CPT Assistant, AMA's live and on-demand webinars, NAMAS, and even our own Terry Fletcher Consulting. If that's not enough, the AMA webinar on technical corrections added more clarification in key areas! In this episode, Terry […] The post 2023 E/M Frequently Asked Questions (And Answers!) appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
It's time for another Top 10 Tuesday Q&A podcast, featuring our coding questions of the month. Terry Fletcher will discuss a variety of topics including timely documentation rules for screening tests, what codes can be used for shared or split visits, and different rules for similar services. Don't miss this episode packed full of information […] The post Top 10 Tuesday Q&A – Coding Questions of the Month appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..
The CPT Errata came out this week to clear up some confusion on coding for prolonged services. Time can be an audit trap for E/M services Are you supporting your prolonged-services when adding on CPT or HCPCS codes to E/M office and/or hospital services? You don't want this to be your audit trap: listen to […] The post Prolonged Services: An Audit Trap? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..