
Using denial tracking to improve collections
April 10th, 2009 - Codapedia EditorHere are some examples of denials that a practice should track to be sure that they are paid correctly by the insurance company. Set up a denial type for each of these.
Fee Schedule Issues:
- Wrong amount paid per the contracted fee schedule. May be too high or too low
- Modifier 80 paid incorrectly. If paid at less than 20% or 25% of commercial fee schedule amount, or 16% of Medicare fee schedule amount, may be paid at wrong level
- Payments for other modifiers (50, 51, 59)—were they paid correctly
- Evaluation and management services on the same date as procedures, -25 and –57 modifiers
- Network problems with TPA’s and networks—being asked to take a reduction if you are not part of the network
Incorrect processing:
- Multiple procedures, modifiers (does the staff really know how to use the NCCI edits, and to appeal claims that are incorrectly denied?)
- Modifiers have a lot in common with monopoly
- Unit issues. We bill for 5 units and are paid for 1 unit
- Codes that the insurance company says are “one” and CPT® and we say are “each”
- Variation in processing from claim to claim
- Specific billing for their processing
- Anesthesia quirky requirements
- Lines with $0 payments
###
Questions, comments?
If you have questions or comments about this article please contact us. Comments that provide additional related information may be added here by our Editors.
Latest articles: (any category)
COVID Vaccine Coding Changes as of November 1, 2023October 26th, 2023 - Wyn Staheli
COVID vaccine changes due to the end of the PHE as of November 1, 2023 are addressed in this article.
Medicare Guidance Changes for E/M ServicesOctober 11th, 2023 - Wyn Staheli
2023 brought quite a few changes to Evaluation and management (E/M) services. The significant revisions as noted in the CPT codebook were welcome changes to bring other E/M services more in line with the changes that took place with Office or Other Outpatient Services a few years ago. As part of CMS’ Medicare Learning Network, the “Evaluation and Management Services Guide” publication was finally updated as of August 2023 to include the changes that took place in 2023. If you take a look at the new publication (see references below),....
Can We Score Interpretation of an EKG Towards E/M Medical Decision Making?October 10th, 2023 - Aimee Wilcox
When EKGs are performed in the facility setting or even in the physician's office, what are the requirements for reporting the service and who gets credit for scoring data points for Evaluation and Management (E/M) medical decision making (MDM)? Let's take a look at a few coding scenarios related to EKG services to get a better understanding of why this can be problematic.
Accurately Reporting Signs and Symptoms with ICD-10-CM CodesOctober 5th, 2023 - Aimee Wilcox
Coders often find themselves unsure of when to report a sign or symptom code documented in the medical record. Some coders find their organization has an EHR that requires a working diagnosis, which is usually a sign or symptom, be entered to order a test or diagnostic study or image. Understanding the guidelines surrounding when signs and symptoms should be reported is the first step in correct coding so let's take a look at some scenarios.
The 2024 ICD-10-CM Updates Include New Codes for Reporting Metabolic Disorders and Insulin ResistanceSeptember 19th, 2023 - Aimee Wilcox
Diabetes is a chronic disease that just seems to consistently be increasing instead of improving resulting in a constant endeavor by medical researchers to identify causal effects and possible treatments. One underlying or precipitating condition that scientists have identified as a precipitating factor in the development of diabetes is insulin resistance, which is a known metabolic disorder. As data becomes available through claims reporting, additional code options become possible with ICD-10-CM.
Documenting and Reporting Postoperative VisitsSeptember 12th, 2023 - Aimee Wilcox
Sometimes we receive questions regarding documentation requirements for specific codes or coding requirements and we respond with information and resources to support our answers. The following question was recently submitted: Are providers required to report postoperative services on claims using 99024, especially if there is no payment for that service? What documentation is required if you are reporting an unrelated Evaluation and Management (E/M) service by the same physician during the postoperative period?
Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and ICD-10-CM CodingAugust 22nd, 2023 - Aimee Wilcox
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for short, is a disease that impacts millions of Americans on a weekly basis. Symptoms are uncomfortable, as are some of the tests used to diagnose it, but understanding the disease, tests, and treatments helps us better understand how to code the disease using ICD-10-CM codes.