As we approach the new year, we can expect a continuing effort on the part of government and private payors to identify billing errors and recover revenue from incorrectly paid claims. Having the right reference material is critical to minimizing coding errors. If you have not already done so, now is the time to purchase your 2011 Current Procedural Terminology®, International Classification of Diseases-9 and Health Care Common Procedure Coding System books or renew your subscription to an electronic version. It is also the time to update your charge capture documents with the new codes and make any necessary changes to you computer files. Having at least one person on staff that is the coding and billing expert who spot checks claims for accuracy, keeps current with all reimbursement regulations by attending a professional meeting at least once per year, and monitors the CMS and other payor websites for updates is critical to ensure maximized collections and minimized audit exposure. A well-equipped and knowledgeable staff can mean the difference between financial success and professional disaster.
CMS Announces Partial Code Set Freeze
CMS announced a partial freeze on coding updates for International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9-CM, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes prior to implementing ICD-10 on Oct. 1, 2013.
2012 e-Prescribing Penalties Based on 2011 Activity
Section 132 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 authorized a program for eligible professionals who are successful electronic prescribers for 2009 through 2013 to receive a bonus. For 2011 and 2012, eligible professionals who are successful electronic prescribers may qualify to earn an incentive payment equal to 1 percent. For 2013, the incentive payment amount is reduced to 0.5 percent. Beginning in 2012, eligible professionals who are not successful electronic prescribers may be subject to a payment adjustment or penalty.
New Book Provides Strategies for Successful Practice Management
"Effective Management of the Gastroenterology Practice," published by the AGA Press and the AGA Center for Practice Management, is an essential resource to help physicians and practice managers run an efficient, profitable and patient-friendly practice.
Save on This Year's Congress Events
Early bird registration for the AGA Clinical Congress closes on Friday, Dec. 31. Held over Martin Luther King weekend, Jan. 13–16, 2011, this year's congress includes four days of integrated, educational programming relevant to the entire GI practice: physicians, clinical staff and practice managers/administrators. Sessions will explore the very latest in clinical gastroenterology, endoscopy and practice management, and offer a total of 38.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Reprocess Your Single-Use Devices
In November, the ASC Quality Collaborative released a free toolkit for reprocessing single-use devices; the collaborative is comprised of leaders from both the ambulatory surgery center industry and organizations with a focus on health-care quality and safety.
The basic single-use device reprocessing toolkit focuses on CMS survey requirements and a policy template for preprocessing single-use devices. The expanded single-use device reprocessing toolkit contains essential resources and additional materials, including assessment tools, implementation aids, training manuals, monitoring tools, workplace reminders and guidelines.
Earning 2 Percent Medicare Bonus Made Easier with AGA Registry
The CMS-qualified AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry™ provides gastroenterologists and hepatologists with a new, easy and inexpensive way to report on the hepatitis C measures group as part of the CMS Physician Quality Reporting System (formerly referred to as the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative or PQRI). Using the registry's simple online forms, a physician can potentially earn a 2 percent bonus on all Medicare Part B allowable charges for calendar year 2010.
CMS Publishes Final Regulations Amending the Stark Law
The two major revisions to the Stark Law or the Physician Self Referral Law included in the final regulations address physician ownership of hospitals and the in-office ancillary services exception.
Safety Labeling Changes Update
Changes to boxed warnings, contraindications, precautions and adverse reactions were made to 34 medical product labels in October. View the listing of drug names and revised safety labeling sections. Selecting a drug product name in the summary view will take you to the detailed view page, which identifies revised safety labeling sections and subsections, along with a brief summary of new or modified safety information. In November, there were 37 such changes made to medical product labels, which can also be viewed.
Journal Club Associate Editors Needed
AGA is soliciting applications from interested members for three Journal Club associate editors to work with the AGA Editorial Board for Online Education. Every month, the Journal Club associate editors will each provide three concise reviews of timely and important articles published in Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Articles reviewed have clinical relevance to members and fellows in training.
For additional information about the position, application requirements and honoraria, contact:
Mark Goetz
E-Learning Manager
301-654-2055, ext. 673
education@gastro.org
Increased Scrutiny in the OIG Work Plan
HHS' Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its fiscal year 2011 work plan on Oct. 1, 2010. The plan provides a description of what the OIG will be focusing on in the coming year, giving providers insight into what the OIG believes are areas prone to fraud, waste and abuse.
CMS Releases 2011 Final Physician Fee Schedule
CMS released the 2011 Medicare final physician fee schedule and a related press release and fact sheets. The regulation implements several provisions from the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as well as the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. The regulation discusses polices that affect payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for services furnished on or after Jan.1, 2011.
Practice Management Course Early Bird Deadline: Dec. 31
There are only a few weeks left to save $50 on this year's AGA Practice Management Course, From Surviving to Thriving in a New World. The course provides a terrific opportunity for physicians and practice managers/administrators to examine their current practice management strategies, learn essential information for running a successful practice and enhance their knowledge about the future of GI.
Dec. 29: GI Quarterly Update Audio Conference
New changes in billing and reimbursement issues can significantly impact your practice. Understanding modifiers, CMS policy changes and a laundry list of other issues can help ensure the financial success of your practice.
McVey Associates, along with the AGA Center for Practice Management, is offering a series of audio conferences to keep you current with the latest changes.
Dates of upcoming audio conferences:
- Dec. 29, 2010
- March 23, 2011
- June 29, 2011
