He plans to have TMA Practice Con- sulting do a coding and documentation review annually. TMA Practice Consult- ing can perform audits on a monthly, an- nual, or quarterly basis. Comprehensive coding and documentation reviews are approved for 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
The physician says that since hiring TMA Practice Consulting he’s more con- fident in his coding and documentation. He encourages physicians struggling with coding and documentation to hire a consultant for assistance and peace of mind.
TMA Practice Consulting also offers an on-site coding and documentation training program for practices that need help understanding documentation guidelines or identifying inappropriate or inaccurate coding and weaknesses in medical record documentation. The two- hour session, customized to the practice specialty, covers a review of 1995 and 1997 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™.
In addition, TMA Practice Consulting can conduct an operations assessment for a medical practice. The service fea- tures a comprehensive, on-site diagnos- tic review of the medical practice. Con- sultants interview the physicians and staff, observe work and patient flow, and collect information and reports relevant to daily operations.
Houston family physician Roberto Al-
varez, MD, hired TMA Practice Consult- ing to conduct an operations assessment of his practice in 2009. At the time, he and his partner, David Nelson, MD, and their two nurse practitioners were see- ing 125 to 150 patients a day but weren’t seeing the profits. A TMA practice con- sultant spent three days at the practice offices and found an outdated records management system, delayed payments from insurance companies that cost the physicians money, and staffing problems that hindered the practice from operat- ing smoothly and profitably. The consultant recommended an EHR system to replace an outdated paper- based system and suggested the practice
Good advice about consultants
TMA Practice Consulting offers this guidance on working with any consultant:
Q: What questions should physicians ask before hiring a consultant?
A: Heather Bettridge, director of TMA Practice Management Education, says physicians should ask when the consultant last worked in a medical practice. If it has been a while, ask how the consultant stays abreast of changes and current issues in practice management. Find out if the consultant worked on a comparable project in a similar environment; has a support team to provide additional expertise; has direct practice man- agement experience, certifications, or credentials; and has a vested interest in any products or services. Always ask for and check references from past clients.
Q: What should a physician look for in a consultant?
A: Ms. Bettridge says consultants need a strong understanding of the medical industry. With applicable skills and hands-on ex- perience, a consultant should be able to ask the right questions, assess the situation in depth, and identify potential solutions to satisfy the needs, limitations, and goals for the practice. A good consultant will either provide the tools to stabilize the practice or will move the practice toward the next step.
Q: What are common signs that a practice needs a consultant?
A: Peggy Pringle, associate vice president of TMA’s Practice Management Services Department, says that if physicians feel things aren’t right or staff turnover is high, it’s time to hire a consultant. Ms. Bettridge adds that if a practice’s revenues or charges drop dramatically from one year to the next, or if cash deposits stop completely, physicians should bring in a con- sultant. Other signs that it’s time to hire a consultant include failure of the practice manager to regularly generate financial reports and excessively high overhead expenses.
February 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 23
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