CMS holds regular informational calls and webinars through MLN Connects which is part of the Medicare Learning Network.  They are geared towards medical doctors and medicare billers, but they have great information for all providers who bill insurance of any sort.

Upcoming is a special ICD-10 Basics session on August 22nd that will walk through the basic differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10.  Continuing education credit may be available with proper documentation as well.

Undoubtedly, there will be much on this call that does not pertain to complementary and alternative medicine - especially for Acupuncturists since Medicare still does not cover Acupuncture - but with the extensive nature of the ICD-10 changes, more information is always a good thing.

If you haven't signed up for the MLN Connects Provider eNews I highly recommend it - its a simple way to stay on top of what is "coming down the pipeline" direct from CMS.  It is certainly a source I rely on for accurate insurance billing information and updates.

I hope you're looking forward to a wonderful week!  

Here's to your Insurance Billing and Practice Building Success,
~Rebecca

Its only taken me 3 years, but voila!  Website update which was a long time coming!  Poke around and check it out - new look, new blog, new affiliate site, pretty sweet!

That's right, it is on its way slowly but surely so hold on tight and keep up the prep work.  Currently, ICD-10 isn't required until October 1, 2014 so we still have a long time to complete our coding changes, test our systems and prepare.  But the key is PREPARATION - don't wait until the last minute!  Start compiling your code sets now so that when October 1st 2014 rolls around you are well tested and ready.

I promise I will have a book update out by then too, so stay tuned!  I will include the basic codes necessary for Acupuncturists as I did in my first edition.  You can also peruse codes at the official CMS ICD-10 website but it is rather unwieldy to search through them all.

A great code set that's been parsed down for Acupuncturists is available from the American Acupuncture Council for about $50, but it is currently sold out!  I will endeavor to post when they are available again, or you can contact AAC direct and ask if they can notify you.

Okay, guys, this one is a biggie - beginning October 1st 2013 a NEW HCFA/CMS 1500 form called version 0212 will be required for insurance billing.  You can see a PDF version HERE and you can read more on the NUCC website HERE.  Undoubtedly, your clearinghouses are already testing this new form and will be prepared to process it.  I haven't heard or seen anything about availability at stores like Office Depot or the like for purchasing pre-printed blocks of these, as you can with the current CMS 1500, but we can only assume that is coming too since its kind of a necessity for compliance.

The only CAM friendly database system that I know is assured to have the new CMS 1500 0212 built into the system is ClientTracker by Ginkgo Software.  So if you're thinking of investing in a new system for your practice, I highly recommend this one - it is what I use and I wouldn't be without it.  They have a multi-user cloud system on its way that can be accessed using both your computer and your tablet devices which is pretty sweet.

Them's the haps, people.  Stay tuned for more insurance billing, practice building and Insurance Billing Made Easy updates - I promise there will be more to come!

Oh, and have you signed up for my ezine?  If not, you should! Free tips delivered to your inbox and not spammy, I promise!