There are new, revised, and deleted codes for 2019. The most influential code sets that could affect your practice are the PICC line placements (36568-36573) and the new FNA biopsy codes (10004-10021). The wRVUs may be lower, but that should not influence your documentation of guidance used with these procedures.

Please visit the StreamlineMD booth #105 at the 2019 OEIS Conference in St. Petersburg, FL.

Codes changed along with a reduction in reimbursement. CPT 10022 (RVU 1.88) Fine needle aspiration with imaging guidance was deleted in 2019 but it was replaced with new codes that specified the type of guidance (e.g., ultrasound, fluoro, CT, MR) used. Also, new add-on codes were added for when more than one distinct lesion was treated.

In October 2017, we began our review of Measuring Practice Billing Performance, and explained that there is no “silver bullet”, or single measure, that assesses overall performance, but rather a series of key measures to understand and monitor monthly. These measures include, but are not limited to: Accounts Receivable (A/R) balance, A/R Days Outstanding, Net Collection Percentage, and % of A/R greater than 120 days old. In this issue, we will review the calculation and meaning of Net Collection Percentage.

Happy Thanksgiving! Don’t be a Turkey – Understand your A/R Days for better Endovascular & Interventional center performance

BOO! Determining the overall performance of your billing operations is a scary task. Unfortunately, there is no “silver bullet” to slay (answer) this “Werewolf” of a question.

There is a great deal of consternation amongst physician practices as it relates to MIPS/MACRA.  While it is certainly complex and confusing, understanding the requirements and participating wholeheartedly may prove to be a real opportunity to increase reimbursement in a material way. 

Currently, for most of the interventional procedures you perform, reimbursement for moderate sedation is bundled into the procedure code, but that will soon change. For dates of service on or after January 1, 2017, reimbursement for the procedure and the moderate sedation will be separated.

Whether you are documenting to meet PQRS Measure 195 requirements or are treating an arterial stenosis by PTA for medical necessity, it is the documentation of the percentage (%) of stenosis that counts. Terms such as “mild”, “moderate”, or “severe”, without the specified percentage (%) are not specific enough...