Radiation/Oncology Archives

PV-PQRS Registration by Oct. 15 Avoids Risks to Radiation Oncology Coding and Revenue

PV-PQRS Registration by Oct. 15 Avoids Risks to Radiation Oncology Coding and Revenue

sam-mi2013-10-08T09:07:32+00:00

Oct. 15, 2013 is the deadline to register for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Physician Value-PQRS (PV-PQRS) Registration System. It's a new application to serve the Physician Value Modifier and PQRS programs that, according to CMS, will allow: Physician group practices to select their CY 2013 PQRS Group Reporting Mechanism and, if the group has 100 or more eligible professionals, elect quality tiering to calculate their CY 2015 Value-based Payment Modifier Individual eligible professionals to select the CMS-calculated Administrative Claims reporting mechanism for CY 2013 in order to avoid the PQRS negative payment [space height="10"] If missed, this [...]

PV-PQRS Registration by Oct. 15 Avoids Risks to Radiation Oncology Coding and Revenuesam-mi2013-10-08T09:07:32+00:00

Clock is Ticking: Radiation Oncology ICD-10 Readiness Depends on Medical Coding Partner

Clock is Ticking: Radiation Oncology ICD-10 Readiness Depends on Medical Coding Partner

sam-mi2013-09-24T10:18:46+00:00

If you think you have lots of time yet to perform ICD-10 testing on your Radiation Oncology coding, billing and collections, think again. CMS will not be performing end-to-end testing of ICD-10-CM and PCS fee-for-service. That means there's added burden that rests squarely on your shoulders—unless you have an independent, third party medical coding and billing partner with special expertise in the ICD-10 transition. It's time to re-examine where you are in the process, and if additional support is needed to help you prepare and allocate adequate time to perform all the testing steps necessary to assure your readiness by Oct. [...]

Clock is Ticking: Radiation Oncology ICD-10 Readiness Depends on Medical Coding Partnersam-mi2013-09-24T10:18:46+00:00

Radiation Oncology ICD-10 Readiness Depends on Medical Practice Billing Transitions, Training and Testing

Radiation Oncology ICD-10 Readiness Depends on Medical Practice Billing Transitions, Training and Testing

sam-mi2013-08-23T13:44:56+00:00

Just where does your Radiation Oncology medical practice billing stand when it comes to preparations for ICD-10? Yours might be among the 55.4 percent of medical practices (as of June 2013) in the United States that hasn't started or has barely begun preparations. Even if your practice is in the remaining 45.6 percent, you're most likely in process but maybe not making the progress you were hoping in order to meet the Oct. 1, 2014 implementation deadline. Relax, because you're about to read important updates to help keep you abreast of current developments so you can prepare for a seamless transition. [...]

Radiation Oncology ICD-10 Readiness Depends on Medical Practice Billing Transitions, Training and Testingsam-mi2013-08-23T13:44:56+00:00

Is your Radiation Oncology Coding Compliance being Taken Seriously Enough? 10 Questions to Ponder

Is your Radiation Oncology Coding Compliance being Taken Seriously Enough? 10 Questions to Ponder

sam-mi2013-07-23T09:44:02+00:00

If an OIG investigator were suddenly to appear on your Radiation Oncology practice's doorstep, would you be prepared for the scrutiny? You may very well be waving compliance red flags in your Radiation Oncology revenue cycle management—and not even know it—that send messages your compliance is not being taken seriously enough. It's time to take a hard look around your work environment and review the 10 telltale signs in a list provided by Robert A. Pelaia, Esq., CPC, CPCO. Each sign indicates to investigators they should delve deeper in your compliance activities. Note these are in no particular order: 1. Patient [...]

Is your Radiation Oncology Coding Compliance being Taken Seriously Enough? 10 Questions to Pondersam-mi2013-07-23T09:44:02+00:00

Radiology Coding Update – Jan. 2013

Radiology Coding Update – Jan. 2013

sam-mi2013-01-14T18:30:45+00:00

CTA DOCUMENTATION "If it isn't written, it didn't happen" Those words have been repeated to medical billers and coders in training classes and seminars for over 20 years. Coding a CTA can be tricky even for the seasoned coder. Very precise information must be dictated to assist the coder in determining if the procedure was a CT or CTA. The Fall 2008 issue of "Clinical Examples in Radiology" clarified the coding and dictation issues surrounding CTA. In order to differentiate CT from CTA, dictated documentation must indicate that 3D images were acquired and interpretation for those images must be made in [...]

Radiology Coding Update – Jan. 2013sam-mi2013-01-14T18:30:45+00:00

Chart Auditing Among Recent Changes in Radiation Oncology Revenue Cycle Management

sam-mi2013-01-08T00:26:57+00:00

A new auditing standard has emerged recently with changes that are critical to ensuring your records are in order in the event of an audit. Staying abreast of changing chart auditing regulations re integrally tied to your radiation oncology medical coding, billing and collections, and the overall success of your radiation oncology practice. Has your radiation oncology revenue cycle management fully transitioned to SSAE 16? Developed in 2011 by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), this new auditing standard replaces SAS 70 to keep pace with the growing acceptance of international accounting standards. Keeping track of records for errors [...]

Chart Auditing Among Recent Changes in Radiation Oncology Revenue Cycle Managementsam-mi2013-01-08T00:26:57+00:00

Radiation Oncology Revenue Cycle Management Undergoes Changes from Affordable Care Act

sam-mi2012-12-15T17:45:45+00:00

Rarely has there been a more defining time for radiation oncologists than right now, when the survival of Radiation Oncology practices is squarely placed on the shoulders of the most efficient Radiation Oncology revenue cycle management processes. It's survival of the fittest. "The momentum toward moving away from fee-for-service and finding more efficient ways to reimburse providers with the emphasis on linking reimbursement to quality outcomes is unlikely to falter," according to an online article in the June 11, 2012 edition of Astro. "For all these reasons, most analysts agree that delivery system changes are inevitable. The implementation of the ACA, [...]

Radiation Oncology Revenue Cycle Management Undergoes Changes from Affordable Care Actsam-mi2012-12-15T17:45:45+00:00

2013 OIG Regulations and CMS Rulings Impact Radiation Oncology Revenue Cycle Management

2013 OIG Regulations and CMS Rulings Impact Radiation Oncology Revenue Cycle Management

sam-mi2012-11-16T16:44:02+00:00

With changes in compliance regulations for Radiation Oncology revenue cycle management and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement cuts looming in 2013, it's a critical time for practices to ensure their Radiation Oncology coding, billing and collections is optimized. As reported by Radiation Therapy Alliance in a HeraldOnline.com article on Nov. 5, changes for Radiation Oncology practices include CMS reimbursement cuts of 7 percent (considered to be 15 percent at one time). Excerpts from the article include: "The reimbursement cuts to Radiation Oncology in 2013 will equate to approximately $140 million compared to 2012 rates. Though this amount is [...]

2013 OIG Regulations and CMS Rulings Impact Radiation Oncology Revenue Cycle Managementsam-mi2012-11-16T16:44:02+00:00