Guest guest Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 FYI - you may want to contact Tom Necela DC (contact info at end of email) or attend one of his seminars to learn more about this billing information. This is not an official OBCE announcement. After researching his seminar content, I arranged one of his seminars last yr at WSCC for the profession as an ICE/PAC fund raiser. I found it to be very informative and instantly user friendly for billing. Minga Guerrero DC ICD-10 Implementation Date Announced! For once I get to report to you some good news in the world of Billing, Coding & Documentation!Efforts to push back the proposed ICD-10 implementation date -- which ranged as early as October 2009 to October 2011 -- proved successful when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) moved the date back to October 1, 2013. In quick summary, the ruling requires electronic filing standards by January 1, 2012 and use of the ICD-10-CM code set by October 1, 2013. For those of you who have not heard much about the new ICD-10 code set, it will essentially make all current diagnosis codes obsolete. Every code health providers (of all types, including chiropractors) utilize will be replaced by a new code. Furthermore, while the current ICD-9 code set contains aboutapproximately 12,000 codes; the new ICD-10 code set will consist of a whopping 250,000 codes (of which chiropractors will probably utilize 1000 -- a big jump from the 100 or so we currently access)For those of you twisted enough to read the big enchilada (as I am) you can find the full ruling at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-743.pdf The original implementation date(s) were met with an overwhelming outcry from providers and healthcare industry associations across the board. Primary concerns were cost (implementation costs are estimated at $15-$50,000 for smaller offices) and time for education (initial estimates are that it will take 6-9 months to fully integrate coding professionals).The October 1, 2013 date is a firm date, in other words ICD-9 codes will not be able to be used to report services performed after that date. You might ask, "What's next?" While I believe it is too early to start learning the ICD-10 code set, I think the writing is on the wall for all practices who are not currently using both electronic billing AND electronic health records for documentation. Here's why:In two short years, you will be REQUIRED to submit claims electronically. In other words, say adios to your paper claims. On top of that, within four years, everything you know about coding will be turned upside down.My Advice on Your Next Move1) Start early -- now is a good time! You don't want to be struggling along with any of these changes when the mandatory alarm clock rings. You want your office to make any necessary changes as smoothly as possible.2) If you are not yet billing electronically, start here first. Not only is this deadline sooner, but there are many other good reasons to do so such as decreased wait time for reimbursements, lower costs, increased transit time, and payer specific advantages. Some payers give MAJOR preference to electronic claims and practically sit the paper ones in some dark corner awaiting Igor's monthly payment review. Just kidding about that last part, but electronic definitetly has a speed advanatage.3) Next, get up and running with a good program for Electronic Health Records (EHR, EMR, computerized notes -- whatever you call it, same thing in the end -- it's not paper and it's not a travel card!). Documenting your chart and exam notes effeciently via computer does have a learning curve which is why you want to give yourself plenty of time to get proficient. I can't begin to imagine the stress of having to learn computerized notes one month and then to throw away all the codes you've ever used the next and start learning the new ones. I am no prophet, but I do believe that we will see many old-timers decide that 2013 is a good year to retire from chiropractic.4) Educate your office on sound billing, coding, and documentation principles now. The backlash of all this change will be most evident in offices that are currently struggling with their billing, coding, documentation and collections issues now. These offices are having a difficult time playing the game that is presently upon us in healthcare, but things will get worse when the rules begin to change. Unfortunately, chiropractors at large are among the worst culprits in this department. With 94% of our claims to Medicare submitted with errors, we need to start to get a better handle on Billing, Coding and Documentation issues NOW before we are sunk amidst the coming changes.At the start of this newsletter, I did indeed say I was delivering some good news. I know most of it doesn't sound all that rosy.However, we do have some time still to make the necessary preparations for our practices to succeed. With proper planning and discretion, we all will be able to be trained and ready to implement this significant change before October 1, 2013. Need An Objective Opinion? Want to Tighten Up Your Ship?For those of you who may need an objective opinion on some electronic billing options, good software to offer practice management and EHR functions or for my consulting assistance in your practice, feel free to contact me for my objective opinion -- just don't wait until 2012 or 2013 to do it because you may have to get in line! Please Note: I do not give a blanket endorsement for any one product or service, so I will need some data from you to help determine what fits your needs best. If you are in need of some decision-making assistance in shopping for a billing service, electronic clearinghouse or new software to integrate EMR, please email me the following about your practice: Your Name Office Location (City, State) Pt Visits Per Month New Patients Per Month Gross Services Per Month Types of Providers in Office and # (ex: 1 DC, 1 Massage, 1 MD) Do you offer Rehab/Exercises in office?Finally, if you already have realized that this is THE YEAR you need to tighten up your ship by getting compliant' improving your billing, coding, and documentation; and getting paid for everything you do, then I urge you to download the latest version of my Practice Analysis Questionnaire.I've been told by many that the questionnaire itself revealed many practice weaknesses -- that's even without my analysis of the questionnaire (which is FREE, by the way). Download your copy of the Practice Analysis Questionnaire HERE Wishing you the best of success in 2009 and beyond!Tom Necela, DC, CPC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Strategic Chiropractor is a consulting firm dedicated to assisting chiropractors work SMARTER, not harder, on their practice for increased profitability.In addition to private practice, Dr. Necela is author of Beyond Back Pain & a contributing writer to Dynamic Chiropractic. A former Insurance Claim Analyst, Dr. Necela is also a Certified Professional Coder, a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders, American Medical Billers Association, the Health Care Compliance Association and is proud to fight for the chiropractic good guys!To find out more about the services and products offered by The Strategic Chiropractor, view our website at www.strategicdc.com Tom Necela, DC, CPCThe Strategic Chiropractor, LLC Phone (253) 370-6156Fax (888) 508-8356E-mail: info@...www.strategicdc.com Forward email This email was sent to abowoman@... by info@.... Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribeâ„¢ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by The Strategic Chiropractor | PO Box 731689 | Puyallup | WA | 98373 Know Your Numbers: Get tips and tools to help you improve your credit score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009  FYI the electronic filing applies to entities that employ 25 or more, I believe Dr B Billing Information - FYI FYI - you may want to contact Tom Necela DC (contact info at end of email) or attend one of his seminars to learn more about this billing information. This is not an official OBCE announcement. After researching his seminar content, I arranged one of his seminars last yr at WSCC for the profession as an ICE/PAC fund raiser. I found it to be very informative and instantly user friendly for billing. Minga Guerrero DC ICD-10 Implementation Date Announced! For once I get to report to you some good news in the world of Billing, Coding & Documentation!Efforts to push back the proposed ICD-10 implementation date -- which ranged as early as October 2009 to October 2011 -- proved successful when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) moved the date back to October 1, 2013. In quick summary, the ruling requires electronic filing standards by January 1, 2012 and use of the ICD-10-CM code set by October 1, 2013. For those of you who have not heard much about the new ICD-10 code set, it will essentially make all current diagnosis codes obsolete. Every code health providers (of all types, including chiropractors) utilize will be replaced by a new code. Furthermore, while the current ICD-9 code set contains aboutapproximately 12,000 codes; the new ICD-10 code set will consist of a whopping 250,000 codes (of which chiropractors will probably utilize 1000 -- a big jump from the 100 or so we currently access)For those of you twisted enough to read the big enchilada (as I am) you can find the full ruling at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-743.pdf The original implementation date(s) were met with an overwhelming outcry from providers and healthcare industry associations across the board. Primary concerns were cost (implementation costs are estimated at $15-$50,000 for smaller offices) and time for education (initial estimates are that it will take 6-9 months to fully integrate coding professionals).The October 1, 2013 date is a firm date, in other words ICD-9 codes will not be able to be used to report services performed after that date. You might ask, "What's next?" While I believe it is too early to start learning the ICD-10 code set, I think the writing is on the wall for all practices who are not currently using both electronic billing AND electronic health records for documentation. Here's why:In two short years, you will be REQUIRED to submit claims electronically. In other words, say adios to your paper claims. On top of that, within four years, everything you know about coding will be turned upside down.My Advice on Your Next Move1) Start early -- now is a good time! You don't want to be struggling along with any of these changes when the mandatory alarm clock rings. You want your office to make any necessary changes as smoothly as possible.2) If you are not yet billing electronically, start here first. Not only is this deadline sooner, but there are many other good reasons to do so such as decreased wait time for reimbursements, lower costs, increased transit time, and payer specific advantages. Some payers give MAJOR preference to electronic claims and practically sit the paper ones in some dark corner awaiting Igor's monthly payment review. Just kidding about that last part, but electronic definitetly has a speed advanatage.3) Next, get up and running with a good program for Electronic Health Records (EHR, EMR, computerized notes -- whatever you call it, same thing in the end -- it's not paper and it's not a travel card!). Documenting your chart and exam notes effeciently via computer does have a learning curve which is why you want to give yourself plenty of time to get proficient. I can't begin to imagine the stress of having to learn computerized notes one month and then to throw away all the codes you've ever used the next and start learning the new ones. I am no prophet, but I do believe that we will see many old-timers decide that 2013 is a good year to retire from chiropractic.4) Educate your office on sound billing, coding, and documentation principles now. The backlash of all this change will be most evident in offices that are currently struggling with their billing, coding, documentation and collections issues now. These offices are having a difficult time playing the game that is presently upon us in healthcare, but things will get worse when the rules begin to change. Unfortunately, chiropractors at large are among the worst culprits in this department. With 94% of our claims to Medicare submitted with errors, we need to start to get a better handle on Billing, Coding and Documentation issues NOW before we are sunk amidst the coming changes.At the start of this newsletter, I did indeed say I was delivering some good news. I know most of it doesn't sound all that rosy.However, we do have some time still to make the necessary preparations for our practices to succeed. With proper planning and discretion, we all will be able to be trained and ready to implement this significant change before October 1, 2013. Need An Objective Opinion? Want to Tighten Up Your Ship?For those of you who may need an objective opinion on some electronic billing options, good software to offer practice management and EHR functions or for my consulting assistance in your practice, feel free to contact me for my objective opinion -- just don't wait until 2012 or 2013 to do it because you may have to get in line! Please Note: I do not give a blanket endorsement for any one product or service, so I will need some data from you to help determine what fits your needs best. If you are in need of some decision-making assistance in shopping for a billing service, electronic clearinghouse or new software to integrate EMR, please email me the following about your practice: Your Name Office Location (City, State) Pt Visits Per Month New Patients Per Month Gross Services Per Month Types of Providers in Office and # (ex: 1 DC, 1 Massage, 1 MD) Do you offer Rehab/Exercises in office?Finally, if you already have realized that this is THE YEAR you need to tighten up your ship by getting compliant' improving your billing, coding, and documentation; and getting paid for everything you do, then I urge you to download the latest version of my Practice Analysis Questionnaire.I've been told by many that the questionnaire itself revealed many practice weaknesses -- that's even without my analysis of the questionnaire (which is FREE, by the way). Download your copy of the Practice Analysis Questionnaire HERE Wishing you the best of success in 2009 and beyond!Tom Necela, DC, CPC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Strategic Chiropractor is a consulting firm dedicated to assisting chiropractors work SMARTER, not harder, on their practice for increased profitability.In addition to private practice, Dr. Necela is author of Beyond Back Pain & a contributing writer to Dynamic Chiropractic. A former Insurance Claim Analyst, Dr. Necela is also a Certified Professional Coder, a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders, American Medical Billers Association, the Health Care Compliance Association and is proud to fight for the chiropractic good guys!To find out more about the services and products offered by The Strategic Chiropractor, view our website at www.strategicdc.com Tom Necela, DC, CPCThe Strategic Chiropractor, LLC Phone (253) 370-6156Fax (888) 508-8356E-mail: infostrategicdcwww.strategicdc.com Forward email This email was sent to abowomanaol by infostrategicdc. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by The Strategic Chiropractor | PO Box 731689 | Puyallup | WA | 98373 Know Your Numbers: Get tips and tools to help you improve your credit score. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.15/1922 - Release Date: 1/28/2009 7:24 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009  FYI the electronic filing applies to entities that employ 25 or more, I believe Dr B Billing Information - FYI FYI - you may want to contact Tom Necela DC (contact info at end of email) or attend one of his seminars to learn more about this billing information. This is not an official OBCE announcement. After researching his seminar content, I arranged one of his seminars last yr at WSCC for the profession as an ICE/PAC fund raiser. I found it to be very informative and instantly user friendly for billing. Minga Guerrero DC ICD-10 Implementation Date Announced! For once I get to report to you some good news in the world of Billing, Coding & Documentation!Efforts to push back the proposed ICD-10 implementation date -- which ranged as early as October 2009 to October 2011 -- proved successful when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) moved the date back to October 1, 2013. In quick summary, the ruling requires electronic filing standards by January 1, 2012 and use of the ICD-10-CM code set by October 1, 2013. For those of you who have not heard much about the new ICD-10 code set, it will essentially make all current diagnosis codes obsolete. Every code health providers (of all types, including chiropractors) utilize will be replaced by a new code. Furthermore, while the current ICD-9 code set contains aboutapproximately 12,000 codes; the new ICD-10 code set will consist of a whopping 250,000 codes (of which chiropractors will probably utilize 1000 -- a big jump from the 100 or so we currently access)For those of you twisted enough to read the big enchilada (as I am) you can find the full ruling at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-743.pdf The original implementation date(s) were met with an overwhelming outcry from providers and healthcare industry associations across the board. Primary concerns were cost (implementation costs are estimated at $15-$50,000 for smaller offices) and time for education (initial estimates are that it will take 6-9 months to fully integrate coding professionals).The October 1, 2013 date is a firm date, in other words ICD-9 codes will not be able to be used to report services performed after that date. You might ask, "What's next?" While I believe it is too early to start learning the ICD-10 code set, I think the writing is on the wall for all practices who are not currently using both electronic billing AND electronic health records for documentation. Here's why:In two short years, you will be REQUIRED to submit claims electronically. In other words, say adios to your paper claims. On top of that, within four years, everything you know about coding will be turned upside down.My Advice on Your Next Move1) Start early -- now is a good time! You don't want to be struggling along with any of these changes when the mandatory alarm clock rings. You want your office to make any necessary changes as smoothly as possible.2) If you are not yet billing electronically, start here first. Not only is this deadline sooner, but there are many other good reasons to do so such as decreased wait time for reimbursements, lower costs, increased transit time, and payer specific advantages. Some payers give MAJOR preference to electronic claims and practically sit the paper ones in some dark corner awaiting Igor's monthly payment review. Just kidding about that last part, but electronic definitetly has a speed advanatage.3) Next, get up and running with a good program for Electronic Health Records (EHR, EMR, computerized notes -- whatever you call it, same thing in the end -- it's not paper and it's not a travel card!). Documenting your chart and exam notes effeciently via computer does have a learning curve which is why you want to give yourself plenty of time to get proficient. I can't begin to imagine the stress of having to learn computerized notes one month and then to throw away all the codes you've ever used the next and start learning the new ones. I am no prophet, but I do believe that we will see many old-timers decide that 2013 is a good year to retire from chiropractic.4) Educate your office on sound billing, coding, and documentation principles now. The backlash of all this change will be most evident in offices that are currently struggling with their billing, coding, documentation and collections issues now. These offices are having a difficult time playing the game that is presently upon us in healthcare, but things will get worse when the rules begin to change. Unfortunately, chiropractors at large are among the worst culprits in this department. With 94% of our claims to Medicare submitted with errors, we need to start to get a better handle on Billing, Coding and Documentation issues NOW before we are sunk amidst the coming changes.At the start of this newsletter, I did indeed say I was delivering some good news. I know most of it doesn't sound all that rosy.However, we do have some time still to make the necessary preparations for our practices to succeed. With proper planning and discretion, we all will be able to be trained and ready to implement this significant change before October 1, 2013. Need An Objective Opinion? Want to Tighten Up Your Ship?For those of you who may need an objective opinion on some electronic billing options, good software to offer practice management and EHR functions or for my consulting assistance in your practice, feel free to contact me for my objective opinion -- just don't wait until 2012 or 2013 to do it because you may have to get in line! Please Note: I do not give a blanket endorsement for any one product or service, so I will need some data from you to help determine what fits your needs best. If you are in need of some decision-making assistance in shopping for a billing service, electronic clearinghouse or new software to integrate EMR, please email me the following about your practice: Your Name Office Location (City, State) Pt Visits Per Month New Patients Per Month Gross Services Per Month Types of Providers in Office and # (ex: 1 DC, 1 Massage, 1 MD) Do you offer Rehab/Exercises in office?Finally, if you already have realized that this is THE YEAR you need to tighten up your ship by getting compliant' improving your billing, coding, and documentation; and getting paid for everything you do, then I urge you to download the latest version of my Practice Analysis Questionnaire.I've been told by many that the questionnaire itself revealed many practice weaknesses -- that's even without my analysis of the questionnaire (which is FREE, by the way). Download your copy of the Practice Analysis Questionnaire HERE Wishing you the best of success in 2009 and beyond!Tom Necela, DC, CPC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Strategic Chiropractor is a consulting firm dedicated to assisting chiropractors work SMARTER, not harder, on their practice for increased profitability.In addition to private practice, Dr. Necela is author of Beyond Back Pain & a contributing writer to Dynamic Chiropractic. A former Insurance Claim Analyst, Dr. Necela is also a Certified Professional Coder, a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders, American Medical Billers Association, the Health Care Compliance Association and is proud to fight for the chiropractic good guys!To find out more about the services and products offered by The Strategic Chiropractor, view our website at www.strategicdc.com Tom Necela, DC, CPCThe Strategic Chiropractor, LLC Phone (253) 370-6156Fax (888) 508-8356E-mail: infostrategicdcwww.strategicdc.com Forward email This email was sent to abowomanaol by infostrategicdc. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by The Strategic Chiropractor | PO Box 731689 | Puyallup | WA | 98373 Know Your Numbers: Get tips and tools to help you improve your credit score. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.15/1922 - Release Date: 1/28/2009 7:24 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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