Most Medicare physicians assign codes for evaluation and management services despite the fact that most EHR systems can assist them, according to an American Medical News report.
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology asked the OIG to prepare a report examining how Medicare physicians use EHRs to assign and document E&M service codes. The report found that 57 percent of Medicare physicians use an EHR, and 90 percent of them use their systems to document E&M services.
Despite the high level of EHR use, physicians still assign those codes manually. This could mean that physicians are undercoding services that could qualify for a higher pay rate.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
5 Core Concepts for a Great Billing & Collections Business
New Jersey ASC Association Opposes Bill to Expand State Anti-Fraud Legislation
CMS Proposes 2013 Payment Rates for ASCs
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology asked the OIG to prepare a report examining how Medicare physicians use EHRs to assign and document E&M service codes. The report found that 57 percent of Medicare physicians use an EHR, and 90 percent of them use their systems to document E&M services.
Despite the high level of EHR use, physicians still assign those codes manually. This could mean that physicians are undercoding services that could qualify for a higher pay rate.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
5 Core Concepts for a Great Billing & Collections Business
New Jersey ASC Association Opposes Bill to Expand State Anti-Fraud Legislation
CMS Proposes 2013 Payment Rates for ASCs