TMA can help your practice switch to ICD-10 by Crystal Conde
T
he Texas Medical Association can help your practice prepare to catch up to the rest of the world
in using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)-10 to capture health care information more efficiently. TMA Practice Consulting offers a vari- ety of services to help ensure your re- imbursement doesn’t suffer during the transition. Don’t delay in ICD-10 plan- ning and implementation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set a firm compliance date of Oct. 1, 2013. To inquire about any of the following
services, call TMA Practice Consulting at (800) 523-8776, or email practice .
consulting@texmed.org. All services are available for a fee based on a practice’s needs.
Coding and documentation customized training TMA Practice Consulting offers an on- site training program for practices that
two-hour session, customized to the practice specialty, covers a review of 1995 and 1997 evaluation and manage- ment (E&M) documentation guidelines, time-based coding, modifiers, and audit triggers, among other topics. It is ap- proved for up to 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Coding and documentation reviews Get a glimpse into your coding tech- niques with E&M coding and documen- tation reviews from TMA Practice Con- sulting. The reviews include a claims coding and medical record documenta- tion analysis of 10 records per physician. An abbreviated checkup and a compre- hensive review are available. TMA Prac- tice Consulting also can conduct a quar- terly coding and documentation review to determine whether a medical practice is following payers’ guidelines for ap- propriate billing year-round. Simplified reporting of the checkup findings allows physicians to step back from the details
“Since consulting with TMA, our group is better educated on the importance of proper documentation in a timely manner.”
need help understanding documentation guidelines or identifying inappropriate or inaccurate coding and weaknesses in medical record documentation. The
32 TEXAS MEDICINE February 2012
and realize the underlying trends that directly affect practice revenue through visual illustration. Case study: TMA Practice Consulting
set up Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology in 2001 and performs coding and docu- mentation training and reviews for the practice twice a year. Valerie Espinosa, MD, an Austin endocrinologist at the practice, credits the regular reviews and training sessions with giving her more confidence in her coding and documen- tation skills. “All of our physicians have coding
cards on their desks for reference to make sure they’ve fulfilled all require- ments to justify a certain level of coding. I feel assured I’m doing things the right way. I’m no longer living in fear that I’ll get audited,” she said.
Comprehensive chart audits Have your coding and documentation techniques thoroughly analyzed and the findings presented in a formal, written report that outlines opportunities for improvement. TMA Practice Consulting reviews a practice’s documentation for accurate CPT coding; appropriate appli- cation of CPT coding guidelines; E&M coding guidelines; correct use of modi- fiers; encounter forms; claims; and cor- responding explanations of benefits to ensure accurate billing and reimburse- ment levels. TMA Practice Consulting can perform audits on a monthly, annual, or quarterly basis. Audits are approved for 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Case study: Stephen Raley, MD, a fam-
ily physician with Hillcrest Family Health Center in Waco, says an external coding audit is a “necessary expense” that gives a practice peace of mind. “Since consulting with TMA, our group is better educated on the impor-
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