ChiroCode Alerts - Jan 27, 2010
by LaMont J. Leavitt, President/CEO of ChiroCode Institute
1. 2010 Medicare Fees - An Update!
2. 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook - A walk through of Basic and Premium Support
3. 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook - Now Shipping!
4. The $44,000 Update Webinar - You Don't Want to Miss This Event!
5. ChiroCode and Avazzia - Announce New Seminar Schedule
6. ChiroCode Webinar Archive and ChiroCode Spotlights - Now Available to Watch
1. 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook - Now Shipping!
We received mixed responses from Medicare in our initial requests on the status of Medicare Fees for 2010. We would like to thank the doctors who sent us updated feedback. The following response is a great source for help with setting your 2010 Medicare Fees:
"Unfortunately, the information you gave about the Medicare fees is incorrect. Congress passed a bill to freeze the conversion factor (21.5% reduction) for 2 months, but the 2010 RVUs are still in effect. The 2009 conversion factor is being used with the 2010 RVUs which is resulting in a slight decrease in chiropractic reimbursement for January and February 2010 (compared to 2009). This is especially important for doctors that are non-par because most of them collect from the patient at the time of service and would be collecting too much if they use the 2009 fee schedule. Our Medicare carrier (WPS) posted the 2-month fee schedule to their website on January 4th, so I'm guessing the rest of the MACs have done the same. Please alert your subscribers to this minor change and direct them to their Medicare carrier's website for specific rates." -Cathi Hammond-Medical Business Consulting, Inc.
Upon receiving feedback we compared the 2010 fee schedule to the 2009 fee schedule and there is a slight reduction. There is also a note that the fee schedule was revised on January 20. It had also been stated in earlier publications that the RVUs for chiropractic would not be changed this year. That seems to not be the case. It speaks volumes that we are at the end of January and there is still considerable confusion regarding the 2010 fee schedule. That said, this is the action we recommend you take:
- Go to your local carrier or MAC website and check the 2010 fee schedule for your locality. Consider this fee schedule to be the final word and follow it.
- If you are a non-par provider and have inadvertently overcharged your patients, correct their account on the next visit and make a note of why the correction was made.
- If you have sent billing to Medicare, call the MAC or carrier to determine how to correct the billings. Do this ASAP.
- Regularly (weekly) check the MAC or carrier website for any changes to the Fee schedule. There is more to come.
We will continue to monitor this situation and will alert you as things change. You can also login to ChiroCode Basic Support http://www.chirocode.com/basic_support and use the Medicare Fee Calculator as well as access your 2010 ChiroCode Fee worksheets.
2. 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook - A walk through of Basic and Premium Support
Presented by LaMont Leavitt, President-CEO ChiroCode Institute
ChiroCode Webinar: Thursday, January 28, 2010
Time: 4 pm Eastern, 3 pm Central, 2 pm Mountain, 1 pm Pacific
The 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook comes with free Basic Support or the upgraded Premium Support. Join us for a walk through of both services and learn how to get the most out of each.
Reserve your seat today: http://www.chirocode.com/webinars
3. 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook - Now Shipping!
We are pleased to announce that the 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook is now shipping. Our initial reviews have been that the new 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook is nothing short of fantastic.
The 2010 ChiroCode DeskBook is packed with what you need to empower you to get paid and keep it. This new 18th annual edition is more than just current codes. Here are just some of the highlights:
The entire book has been updated with critical information, forms, explanatory references and internet links to information that helps you get paid and keep it.
Compliance and Risk Management Section Several new pages have been added to the Compliance and Risk Management section to help you weather the "perfect storm" that the entire chiropractic industry is now facing, with post-payment audits and refund demands. Refer to these tips often. Also new and updated are the Red Flags Rules and OIG Compliance Program Guidance.
Documentation Section New pages for Initial Visits, Subsequent Visits and Treatment Plans have been added. Applying the information on these pages to your practice is an important part of protecting your practice against audits and refund demands. Also included are updated standards for performance pay (bonuses), updated codes for record keeping, and the Problem Oriented Medical Record (POMR). Learn the rules so that you can play their game and win.
Denials and Appeals Section This section has critical and essential knowledge for the management of claim denials and adverse determinations.
If you haven't ordered yet, you now have three ways to get your book:
- ChiroCode DeskBook with Premium Support-One Payment: Regular $479, now only $429
- ChiroCode DeskBook with Premium Support-Monthly Payments: 1st Payment $129, 11 monthly payments of just $29.95
- ChiroCode DeskBook with Basic Support-One Payment: Regular $129, now only $109
Get your order in today so you can get your DeskBook in January! To download your order form go to: http://www.chirocode.com/order2010.pdf
4. The $44,000 Update Webinar - If You Missed Our Last "$44,000 Stimulus Money" Webinar, You Don't Want to Miss This Event!
Presented by Reimbursement Specialist and Health Care Attorney, Keith Pendleton, JD.
ChiroCode Spotlight: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Time: 4 pm Eastern, 3 pm Central, 2 pm Mountain, 1 pm Pacific
In the waning days of December, 2009, the US Department of Health and Human Services released its rules for 'meaningful use' of an electronic health record/electronic medical record (EHR/EMR). These rules will govern the eligibility status for providers seeking stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The complete document is 556 pages long and may be viewed here: http://medicfusion.com/docs/ARRAStimulusFacts.pdf
Medicfusion EMR, the ChiroCode Institute, along with Find-A-Code.com, National Injury Diagnostics, American Billing Association and the other sponsors of Tipology will host a live and pertinent informational webinar and entertain questions and answers on February 2 at 4pm Eastern Time. The webinar will be presented by health care attorney, Keith Pendleton.
If you have specific questions you would like Tipology to address during this webinar, you are invited to submit them in advance by email to gopaperless@medicfusion.com .
This webinar will cut through the clutter and misinformation circulating throughout the health care world. Keith will provide honest information in a pertinent 75-minute session that explores this complex topic.
Reserve your seat today: http://www.chirocode.com/spotlights
5. ChiroCode and Avazzia - Announce New Seminar Schedule
ChiroCode and Avazzia have joined forces to provide Chiropractors new technology and therapies that will increase their practice revenue by giving patients new relief from acute and chronic pain. The FDA-approved Avazzia Biofeedback Electro-Stimulation Technology (BESTTM) uses micro-current stimulation, enhanced by bio-feedback, to provide relief of pain from a myriad of disorders. A series of accredited two-and one-half day seminars are now being scheduled nationwide, with 16 CEUs offered by the Natural Therapies Certification Board for each seminar attended.
The next seminar is set for Dallas, TX, the weekend of February 12-14, 2010. Speakers will include Tim Smith, developer of the technology, Dr. Stan Wolfe, expert in microcurrent therapy physiological effects, and Drs. John and Lorry Hache, who will provide instruction in clinical applications.
Seminar cost with early registration is $250 (rising to $499 within 10 days of the event). An additional 25% discount is offered to those who have already purchased an Avazzia device. To RSVP, Call 214-575-2820, (Fax 214-575-2824), email info@avazzia.com. The seminars will be held at the Avazzia Corporate offices, 13154 Coit Rd, Suite 200, Dallas, TX. Affordable lodging is nearby.
Click here to view the ChiroCode Spotlight Webinar on Avazzia Biofeedback Electro-Stimulation Technology http://www.chirocode.com/the_body_electric
6. ChiroCode Webinar Archive and ChiroCode Spotlights - Now Available to Watch
ChiroCode Webinars are now available for 24/7 viewing. They are held usually every Thursday at 2pm Mountain Time (4pm Eastern, 3pm Central, 1pm Pacific) and cover a variety of topics that pertain to ChiroCode coding, reimbursement, compliance and denial management. ChiroCode Webinars are live presentations with both audio and video. ChiroCode Institute utilizes the excellent GoToMeeting tool to allow you to participate via your phone and computer.
ChiroCode Premium Support subscribers may view ALL past ChiroCode Webinars.
ChiroCode Basic Support subscribers may view the three most recent webinars.
To view the webinars and for more information go to: http://www.chirocode.com/webinars
ChiroCode Spotlights highlight new technologies, programs and services. We believe that they can be a great benefit to Chiropractic offices. ChiroCode Spotlights are held on Tuesdays (but not every Tuesday) at 2pm Mountain Time (4pm Eastern, 3pm Central, 1pm Pacific). They are a live presentation with both audio and video. ChiroCode Spotlights are available to everyone!
To view the spotlights and for more information go to: http://www.chirocode.com/spotlights
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