ASC Coding, Billing & Collections

Single-Specialty Coders Could Limit Their Prospects in the Future, AAPC President Says

In an interview with BC Advantage magazine, AAPC President and CEO Deborah Grider said coders who focus on one specialty might limit themselves in the industry in the coming years.

Federal Investigation to Examine Whether Blue Cross Blue Shield's Pricing is Anti-Competitive

Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans in seven states are under federal investigation to examine whether they are raising health-insurance premiums through agreements with hospitals that stifle business with rival payors, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

4 Predictions on the Switch to ICD-10

On Oct. 1, 2013, ICD-10-CM (clinical modification) and ICD-10-PCS (procedural coding system) will be implemented into the HIPAA mandated code, increasing the number of codes from around 13,600 under ICD-9 to around 69,000 under ICD-10. Here are four predictions from…

MedDraft Announces Launch of Payment Website for Providers and Patients

MedDraft Debt Prevention Services, a payment solutions company, has announced the launch of Medicalbillpaid.com, a web portal which enables providers to accept payment from patients online.

AAPC: Physician Practices Should Start Planning Now for ICD-10

Physician practices must start preparing now for the implementation of ICD-10 codes, according to an article published in the March edition of Physicians Practice Options.

Aetna Sues Six New Jersey Physicians for Out-of-Network Claims

Aetna is suing six New Jersey physicians who allegedly filed out-of-network claims for patients admitted to in-network hospitals, according to a report by the Record.

ICD-10 Coders May Never Regain ICD-9 Levels of Productivity

Most experts agree that after the ICD-10 implementation date of Oct. 1, 2013, even well-trained coders will take longer with the new coding system than they did with ICD-9, according to a blog post published by Tom Sullivan in ICD-10Watch.

New Surgery Center Medicare Fee Starts March 25

Ambulatory surgery centers enrolling in the Medicare program for the first time, revalidating their Medicare enrollment or adding a new practice location will have to pay CMS a $505 fee beginning March 25, according a report from the ASC Association…

Aerospace Workers May Pursue Billing and Coding When Space Shuttle Program Ends

Displaced aerospace workers may seek employment in the healthcare industry when the space shuttle program ends this year, sending thousands of aerospace workers into unemployment, according to a Florida Today report.

CMS Publishes Article on Importance of Correctly Coding Place of Service

CMS has published a MLN Matters article on the importance of coding the place of service by physicians and billing agents who submit claims to Medicare.