CMS recently released two quarterly updates effective July 1: Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 4313, which is the July update to the OPPS, and Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 4314, which is the related July update to the Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (I/OCE) Specifications, Attachment B.
If you only bill using the CMS-1500 claim form, then you’ve probably never seen a revenue code. But if you need to bill for facilities, you know revenue codes play an important communicative role between providers and insurers. UB-04 claim forms sent to an insurance company without a revenue code associated with each charge will be rejected.
Having taken on more diverse responsibilities, many providers regard medical coding as a necessary evil; their primary focus is caring for their patients. Although many physicians select codes for the work they perform, they rely on specialized coding and auditing professionals to review their documentation and reporting for accuracy.
The most commonly reported CPT codes are getting a much-needed makeover. Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, writes about E/M code changes implemented this year and changes for implementation over the next two years.
Healthcare organizations and providers are experiencing a shift in outpatient reimbursement: from fee-for-service to Alternative Payment Models and value-based reimbursement based on quality outcomes.
