Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCO – Page 3

CMS Proposes Payment Changes to Endoscopic Sinus Codes

August 12, 2019December 4, 2020Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing major payment changes to sinus endoscopy services. The 2020 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule includes the following excerpt: We are proposing to apply the special rule for m… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Anthem Changes Timely-Filing Deadlines

August 5, 2019December 4, 2020Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Anthem has sent out a notice to all providers who have signed non-Medicare or Medicare Advantage contracts with them, stating: “Effective for all commercial and Medicare Advantage Professional Claims submitted to the plan on or after Oct. 1, … For more, read here: AAPC Blog

ICD-10 Guidelines: Sometimes You Have to Break the Rules

August 1, 2019December 4, 2020Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Rik Salomon, CPC, CRC, CEDC, CEMA, CMCS, and I recently got into a rather spirited debate with a group of Certified Professional Coders (CPCs®) on coding guidelines and how they govern our medical coding. CPT® and ICD-10 guidelines are the primary det… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Reporting Bilateral Services: Conflicting Information Causes Confusion

July 29, 2019December 4, 2020Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Payer-specific rules — especially rules that vary for every claim — not only make collecting revenue difficult, but also add to the cost of collection of monies earned by the physicians. A blog clarifies Novitas’ instructions for reporting modifier … For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Michigan Surgeon Accused of $60M Billing Fraud

July 23, 2019December 4, 2020Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Bay City, Michigan surgeon Vasso Godiali, MD, was indicted on July 10, 2019, for allegedly orchestrating a $60 million healthcare fraud scheme. He is also charged with money laundering for financial transactions involving almost $50 million in proceed… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Getting Inspire Therapy for Sleep Apnea Covered

July 17, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Obstructive sleep apnea causes those who suffer from it to sleep poorly and always feel tired. Obstructive sleep apnea is also indicative for heart Inspire® therapy is a promising alternative to traditional treatment options for sleep apnea, but getting it covered under insurance is not a given. For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Billing 95165 Is Nothing to Sneeze At

July 11, 2019July 16, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

The professional service of preparation and provision of antigens for allergen immunotherapy — reported using CPT® 95165 Professional services for the supervision of preparation and provision of antigens for allergen immunotherapy; single or multiple … For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Differentiate Separate Procedures with Modifiers 59 and X[ESPU]

July 8, 2019July 16, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

When you have distinct, separate procedures, know which modifiers will get the claim paid in full. Modifier 59 Distinct procedural service acts as a “universal unbundling” modifier for procedures that are normally included as part of another procedur… For more, read here: AAPC Blog

Cyber Threats to Physician Practices Are Growing

June 24, 2019July 16, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Here’s how to fight back. Most of us are concerned about being personally attacked by cybercriminals, and we must have that same increased awareness within our medical practices. Cybercriminals consider medical practices ripe for the picking. Security For more, read here: AAPC Blog

AMA on Evaluation and Management Guidelines

June 18, 2019Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CENTC, CPCONo Comments

Medical coders who were unsure what documentation non-Medicare payers would expect in light of the Patients Over Paperwork Initiative now have more to go on. The initiative reduced documentation requirements for outpatient evaluation and management (… For more, read here: AAPC Blog