Coding is an ever-changing profession, and successful coders must be aware of industry changes in order to successfully represent the procedures performed in the ASC. Paul Cadorette, director of education for mdStrategies, discusses three resources every coder should use regularly.
1. Local Medicare carrier listserv. Every year brings coding changes, and Mr. Cadorette recommends coders sign up for the listserv with their local Medicare carrier to receive automatic updates about Medicare coding changes. Inclusion on the listserv will send updates to your email inbox on a regular basis, meaning you don't have to spend time searching for changes yourself.
2. American Medical Association website. Mr. Cadorette recommends coders visit the AMA website monthly, particularly on Jan. 1 and July 1 of every year. On these dates, the AMA releases Category III code updates. Mr. Cadorette says many coders fail to watch for Category III updates, meaning several months or a year could pass before they started coding for a particular procedure with one of the new Category III codes. "The best resource for staying updated with that information is the AMA website," he says.
3. ASC Association website. As surgery centers head into 2011, Mr. Cadorette says coders should visit the ASC Association website to get a list of approved ASC procedures for the next year. He says the ASC Association website also includes numerous lists concerning package procedures, ancillary services and addenda to any previously published lists.
According to Mr. Cadorette, coders should visit these three resources at least once a month to make sure no changes or updates are missed. "They want to stay updated with the information that's being published on these websites," he says. "They may be using a specific drug or biologic, and since CMS updates HCPCS codes on a quarterly basis, it's possible that one of those products can now be billed in an ASC."
Learn more about mdStrategies.
Read more on coding:
-SCODI Code Removed From CPT 2011 Codebook
-Coder Compensation Increases; Credentials, Education Boost Salary
-Best Practice: Physician Coding for ASC Procedures
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1. Local Medicare carrier listserv. Every year brings coding changes, and Mr. Cadorette recommends coders sign up for the listserv with their local Medicare carrier to receive automatic updates about Medicare coding changes. Inclusion on the listserv will send updates to your email inbox on a regular basis, meaning you don't have to spend time searching for changes yourself.
2. American Medical Association website. Mr. Cadorette recommends coders visit the AMA website monthly, particularly on Jan. 1 and July 1 of every year. On these dates, the AMA releases Category III code updates. Mr. Cadorette says many coders fail to watch for Category III updates, meaning several months or a year could pass before they started coding for a particular procedure with one of the new Category III codes. "The best resource for staying updated with that information is the AMA website," he says.
3. ASC Association website. As surgery centers head into 2011, Mr. Cadorette says coders should visit the ASC Association website to get a list of approved ASC procedures for the next year. He says the ASC Association website also includes numerous lists concerning package procedures, ancillary services and addenda to any previously published lists.
According to Mr. Cadorette, coders should visit these three resources at least once a month to make sure no changes or updates are missed. "They want to stay updated with the information that's being published on these websites," he says. "They may be using a specific drug or biologic, and since CMS updates HCPCS codes on a quarterly basis, it's possible that one of those products can now be billed in an ASC."
Learn more about mdStrategies.
Read more on coding:
-SCODI Code Removed From CPT 2011 Codebook
-Coder Compensation Increases; Credentials, Education Boost Salary
-Best Practice: Physician Coding for ASC Procedures
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