January 2008

Protect Your Practice From OIG Targets
Vicki Cadenhead Tells BMSC How & Why She Got Certified
Register today for the 6th Annual Physician Specialty Coding Extravaganza
BMSC Exam Prep Right In Your Office

Hello from the Board of Medical Specialty Coding! We hope you enjoy your monthly ezine and find the information useful. If you have any comments or recommendations for future issues, please contact me through the following channels:

Victoria Forlini, Executive Director
vforlini@medicalspecialtycoding.com
301/287-2250 (phone)
301/287-2941 (fax)

(Return to Top)

Protect Your Practice From OIG targets

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) 2008 Work Plan lets you see how your practice’s coding strengths and weaknesses stack up against “hot spots” the OIG plans to investigate. Audit your practice to make sure your coding passes muster. Here are just a few areas the OIG plans to investigate this year:

Selected physician services: This vaguely worded topic says simply, “We will review the appropriateness of Medicare payments for various types of physician services…” Some coding consultants believe the OIG may watch for allied health professionals inappropriately providing some services for which physicians are billing.

Incident-to billing: The OIG plans to examine the qualifications and appropriateness of the staff who per-form incident-to services, with particular attention to medical necessity, documentation and quality of care.

E/M billed during global period: The OIG notes, “The global surgery fee includes payment for a certain number of E/M services provided during the global surgery period.” Remember that this includes billing for those pre-op visits that are included in the global period, as well as any applicable post-op visits.

Place of service (POS) errors: Medicare pays physicians more for services performed in the non-facility office setting than for services performed in hospital outpatient departments or ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). So, the OIG will see if you correctly use outpatient hospital POS 22 and ASC POS 24 when necessary on your claims.

Resource: To review the 2008 OIG Work Plan in its entirety, go to http://oig.hhs.gov/08/Work_Plan_FY_2008.pdf

(Return to Top)

Vicki Cadenhead Tells BMSC How & Why She Got Certified

BMSC took time to speak with newly specialty coder, Vicki Cadenhead, who earned her Advanced Coding Specialist certification in Cardiology (ACS-CA) in 2007. Read her story below!

Vicki’s coding career started in 1999, in a small doctor’s office, when her doctor gave her a chart and told her to “code it”. After doing it for a while, she decided that she liked coding and began to study diligently, learning all that she could from the resources available to her. Vicki worked her way up the career ladder and now serves as a Coding Supervisor, supervising 10 coders at a large cardiology practice with 18 locations nationwide.

Was the exam easy or hard? How did she prep for the test? Did she pass on the first try? Vicki answers the key questions of inquiring coders everywhere.

BMSC: What made you decide to “just do it” and take this exam?
Vicki: When I decided I was going to the Extravaganza, I thought this would be as good time to sit for the exam. Although I was nervous, I consoled myself by saying I know what I know. I do this all the time.

BMSC: What did you think of the exam after you took it?
Vicki: I was a little nervous after I took the exam, but I felt good about it.

I took the entire 4 hours to complete the exam. Even though I finished early, I took time to review my answers before submitting the test booklet. I thought the questions asked were asked in a manner that I am comfortable -- like questions I would receive from my doctor or other coding staff.

BMSC: What was the first thing you did when you found out that you had passed the exam?
Vicki: I screamed Yoo-hoo! I was very excited. I showed my boss my results letter, certificate and pin and I show my credentials with pride.

BMSC: How has your life changed since you’ve earned your ACS credential?
Vicki: My comments now carry more weight with the doctors with whom I’m in contact with.

Also, one of my coders said “When I grow up, I want to be like you.” It’s a great feeling!

BMSC: What would you tell any coder who is on the fence about whether they should take an Advanced Coding Specialist exam?
Vicki: I would tell them…You do this all the time. You know this.
Take the prep course that is given and you’ll be surprised at how much you really know. Just take the test. It’s four hours out of your life that could bring you great rewards.

Thanks Vicki for sharing your story with BMSC. Your courage to "just do it" and take the test will inspire thousands of coders who are on the fence about certification.

Did you recently get certified with an ACS, SCP or CCP-P credential from BMSC? Coders just like you want to hear your story. Contact BMSC today to share your success story.

Is this your year to get specialty certified? Resolve to get certified in 2008. Register for your examination today!

Register today for the 6th Annual Physician Specialty Coding Extravaganza!

The 6th Annual Physician Specialty Coding Extravaganza offers 11 specialty tracks to choose from, with a day and a half of hands-on coding education for your specialty (or pick two and stay for 3 days)! On top of that, you can earn CEUs, network with other coding professionals, and become certified in your specialty through the Board of Medical Specialty Coding.

Your practice depends on speedy filing of claims for prompt, full payment. Get the specialty training you need to more quickly and correctly determine all billable services and report the correct codes and modifiers for the services provided by your physicians/providers.

For more information about the conference and to view full agenda with session details, visit us at http://www.extrav2008.com/. If you have questions, contact us at (866) 620-5939 or conf@decisionhealth.com.

(Return to Top)

BMSC Exam Prep Right In Your Office

Boost Your Career…Get Specialty Coding Certified with the Board of Medical Specialty Coding

Get on board with one of the most comprehensive test preparation resources available!

Wanna know what is on the test? Or what isn't on the test? Now, you can find out before you take it.

BMSC's Test Prep Audio Conference Series will help you prepare for your certification or recertification examination right away. During the audio conference, each speaker will go through:

• The key coding concepts you will need to understand in order to pass the BMSC exam.
• Tips on those questions and concepts most often missed on the certification and recertification exams.
• Step by step analysis and review of sample coding questions similar to those that can be found on the exam. Each speaker will not only go through the questions with you, but also provide the rationale for correct answers.

EXTRA Bonus: Included with your audio registration will be a free Modifier Makeover Tip Sheet.

Spaces are filling up fast! Register for your specialty audio conference today:

(Return to Top)