ICD-10 Coding Guidelines for COVID-19 Encounters Effective Feb 20, 2020

The CDC has provided a coding guidance document to provide official diagnosis coding guidance for health care encounters and deaths related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) previously named 2019-nCoV.This link contains the document which also refers you to other pertinent resources

SPPM Annual Conference in Las Vegas Feb 27-March 1, 2019

Don’t miss this Comprehensive Billing, Coding and Practice Management Course. This one of a kind course is designed to update you and your practice on the 2019 changes, and clarify the tough areas of pain management billing & practice issues. We have done the homework and brought the outstanding educators in this field. We answer your tough questions and help …

Anatomy for Billers & Staff. Don’t miss this informative Webinar on Nov 28

Has it been a while since you opened an anatomy book? Knowing the correct anatomy  reduces billing errors. Are you confused by  all those different nerves and joint names! Do you find your self unsure about facet joints, spinal processes, spinal levels? Would you like to make sure that you know the relevant anatomy? Be able to speak with authority and …

Final Physician Fee Schedule Rule Released November 1

The  CY 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule  was placed on display at the Federal Register on November 1, 2018. This final rule updates payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after Jan. 1, 2019.

CMS Proposes New Add-On Code That Will Finally Pay Interventional Pain Specialists For The Complexity Of The Care They Provide

As part of the proposed 2019 CMS changes in how Medicare will pay for Evaluation & Management (E/M) Codes, CMS has created a new code that may be “added-on” to each E/M code billed by any of ten specified medical specialties.  The “add-on” code is GCG0X and its CPT descriptor is “Visit complexity inherent to E/M associated with endocrinology, rheumatology, …

Webinar- Using Modifiers Correctly to Avoid Denied Claims

August 15, 2018 9am PDT; 10am MDT ; 11am CDT; 12pm EDT Using the incorrect modifier or not applying a modifier when you should is a top reason for medical claim denials.  Stephanie Thomas, CANPC will explain when you need a modifier and what modifiers are used on pain management billing claims. Followed by Q&A. If you are unable to …

SPPM Receives Four Year ACCME Accreditation

SPPM Receives Full Four Year ACCME Accreditation!  The Society For Pain Practice Management received notice from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education(ACCME) that it received a full four year accreditation.  In its letter to SPPM, the ACCME noted that SPPM demonstrated 100% compliance in all required areas of accreditation.  ACCME accreditation allows SPPM to offer Category I Continuing Medical Education to …

CMS Proposes Landmark Changes In How Evaluation and Management Services Will Be Paid

Breaking News……………CMS Proposes Landmark Changes In How Evaluation and Management Services Will Be Paid!  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS) published proposed changes in how physicians will be paid for Evaluation and Management(E & M) services in a non facility setting.  In an effort to shift the focus from redundant documentation to patient-centered medical decision making, CMS is proposing that …

mild® Coding, Billing and Reimbursement Webinar

July 19, 2018 9am PDT | 10am MDT | 11am CDT | 12pm EDT Presented by: Amanda Morrison, MBA, CPC, CPC-I, CASCC Reimbursement Specialist  Vertos Medical Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (mild®) is a safe procedure designed to treat patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who exhibit neurogenic claudication (NC) symptoms (pain, numbness, tingling, discomfort, weakness and/or heaviness in the legs). …