Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Appeals For ASC: A to Z

Did you know that many denials, in fact, are NOT valid? Whether they’re due to a simple typo on a claim or a payer’s oversight, you have the right to knock on your payer's door and argue your case. Recouping the denied payment for your ASC is really quite simple -- if you know the ins and outs of the appeals process. And don't be shy just because you're in an ASC -- your appeals process is not that different from the one other facilities and practices use.

Presenter: Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC-OTO, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CHCC

Toughen-Up Your Shoulders And Knees Coding With Powerful Expert Tips

Our expert will give you tools to properly report for Arthroscopic Shoulder and Knee procedures. Coding directives from the AMA, AAOS, and Medicare will be provided as well as tips for coding compartments of the knee and common procedures of the shoulder. This program will assist your facility with accurately capturing its orthopaedic procedures within a framework of compliance with individual carrier guidelines and policies.

Presenter: Cristina Bentin, CCS-P, CPC-H, CMA

Become a Pain Management Coding Guru and Get Every Penny in the Door!

With Ambulatory Surgery Centers seeing a reimbursement reduction in pain management reimbursement, now more than ever it is imperative your ASC facility is maximizing its reimbursement! This session will review the essentials of proper reporting of pain management injections from an ASC perspective. Appropriate coding guidelines for an ASC facility’s more common pain injection procedures will be reviewed. The session will include documentation necessary to support medical necessity, bilateral procedure reporting, add-on code challenges/denials, and fluoroscopy utilization/reporting practices.

Presenter: Cristina Bentin, CCS-P, CPC-H, CMA

Does GI Coding Have Your Stomach in Knots? Is General Surgery Coding Causing You Pain?

Then sit in on this informative session to get the answers to some of your toughtest GI and GS coding challeneges! During this session, Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MD, CPC, ACS, PCS will review the nuances of ASC coding for GI and GS procedures. With the decrease in reimbursement for common GI procedures, ASCs can no longer afford to improperly code or overlook “codeable” procedures. Find out how multiple polyp removal should be coded. Learn if you are improperly coding screening colonoscopies, and review some ancillary opportunities to optimize Medicare’s fee schedule. In the General Surgery session you will learn the differences between coding lesion excisions from the Musculoskeletal System versus the Integumentary System; what the CPT guidelines require for proper documentation and coding of lesion excision and repairs; and when you use pathology reports as a guide for lesion size and when you should NOT! Additionally, breast procedures and ancillary opportunities will be reviewed.

Presenter: Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Are You Seeing Clearly With Your ASC Ophthalmology Coding?

Ophthalmology is one of the few specialties that will benefit from CMS' whopping changes to ambulatory surgery center coding. But your success is only as good as your facility managers’, coders’ and billers’ knowledge of the new reimbursement rules. Open your eyes to new opportunities for ophthalmic ASC reimbursement with coding and billing expert, Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS. In this one-hour course you’ll learn valuable coding information to ensure your ASC receives every reimbursement dollar it deserves to include but not limited to: Cataract Surgery, HCPCS coding of IOL’s, Glaucoma & Retina procedures, injectable drugs, and strabismus surgery.

Presenter: Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS

ASC ENT Coding: Show Me the Money…It Might Be at the Tip of Your nose!

Does reading an FESS op note bring on a sinus headache for you? If so you are not alone – coding ENT procedures is overwhelming to even the most experienced coders because the op notes are usually long and complicated. You have to ask yourself a variety of questions to know how to code the report and capture the revenue due you, for instance, whether the procedures were performed bilaterally, is the code inherently unilateral, how many sinuses were entered, which procedure is reported first, are any procedures bundled via CCI edits or AMA guidelines and will multiple procedure discounting apply? But don’t despair, let surgery coder, Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS of FairCode Associates, walk you through the anatomical landmarks that assist with CPT code selection to ensure accurate coding and secure justified reimbursement.

Presenter: Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Can’t Miss: 2009 Coding and Billing Updates for Anesthesia & Pain Management

Prepare yourself for 2009 New Codes! In this one-hour session we will discuss CPT, HCPCS, OIG work plan and Fee schedule changes that will affect your anesthesia and/or pain management practice so that you can ensure accurate claim submissions and optimal reimbursements in 2009.

Presenter: Kelly Dennis, MBA, CPC, ACS-AP

Option #1:
Flight Or Fight: Coding for Pain Management Sympathetic Nervous System Procedures

You no longer have to be fearful of coding your provider’s procedures in the sympathetic nervous system. This session will review the pain management procedures that the CPT book separates out into its own sections for injections and destructive procedures.

Presenter: Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, ACS-PM, CHCO

Option #2:
In-house Anesthesia Auditing: Tips for Success

Have you ever wondered how to begin an internal auditing process? If your practice has a compliance plan, it may already outline the expectations – are you fulfilling them? This one-hour session will teach you to conduct your own internal audit and how to fix the problems you will find.

Presenter: Kelly Dennis, MBA, CPC, ACS-AP

Option #1:
Incorporating PQRI Into Your Practice: How to Get Your Medicare Bonus

Take the plunge in 2009 and get added money for reporting work your physicians already do. With P4P around the corner, there's no better time to join. Quickly spot the qualifiers you should report on and make sense of the modifier indicators.

Presenter: Alice Marie Reybitz, RN, BA, CPC, CPC-H

Option #2:
Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) Coding

The Resource Based Relative Value Scale is a system that determines what providers will be paid for the medical services they render to patients. This system is mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This session will explain the fee schedule status indicators and various payment policy indicators that CMS publishes.

Presenter: Joanne Mehmert, CPC, ACS-PM

Must-Attend 2009 ICD-9 Updates for Anesthesia & Pain Management

Have you already started to get denials for your claims by reporting ICD-9 codes that have been deleted for 2009? But it isn’t even 2009 yet? Join us for a review of new, modified and deleted diagnosis codes, including the new big sections that can have an impact on your claims. There were 408 ICD-9-CM code changes in October but did you remember to catch all of the changes to update your provider’s reference sheet?

Presenter: Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, ACS-PM, CHCO

Refreshment Break

Knowledge Is Your Best Defense: Expert Advice for RAC, CERT and Private Payer Audits

Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) , Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC), Medicare Contractor audits and the Office of the Inspector General are CMS’ initiatives to identify inappropriate billing. This session will provide an explanation of the different methods and how to handle requests for information. You will walkaway knowing the audit process and have keys to effectively handle if and when your records get requested.

Presenter: Joanne Mehmert, CPC

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Eliminate Acute Pain Coding Dilemmas With These Fast-Acting Expert Tips

Billing for acute pain management in conjunction with anesthesia requires an “acute” understanding of the rules. Much confusion exists over when to bill and when not to bill and how to expect your physicians to document their services. These fast acting tips will help your practice get on the right road to billing.

Presenter: Kelly Dennis, MBA, CPC, ACS-AP

Refreshment Break

Option #1:
Surefire Pain Management Coding Tactics For NCDs/LCDs

National Coverage Decision (NCD) and Local Coverage Decisions (LCD) are terms that apply to Medicare and they are not synonyms. It is important that the physicians and billing staff understand these terms and keep the providers informed. Providers can play an active role in CMS’ decision making process. This session will provide staff and health care providers important information about NCDs and LCDs.

Presenter: Joanne Mehmert, CPC

Option #2:
Reach Your Reimbursement Peak for Incident-To Billing

These incident-to musts will let your physician use ancillary staff to free up his valuable time while still allowing the encounter to capture 100 percent payment. This look inside the intricies of this billing method will keep you CMS compliant and offer alternative strategies.

Presenter: Sharlene A. Scott, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, CCP-P, CPC-I

Option #1:
How to Correct the Top Ten Anesthesia Coding & Billing Errors

Did you know that duplicate claims have been the top anesthesia specialty denial for Medicare for the past two years? Having a handle on common denials and learning to correct on the front end can save your practice extra work and delayed reimbursement. In this session, we’ll discuss the top ten anesthesia coding and billing errors and quick resolutions.

Presenter: Kelly Dennis, MBA, CPC, ACS-AP

Option #2:
Are Consultations Slowing Down Your Performance? Gain Full Speed Again With Road-Tested Expert Tips

Transfer of care sends a shiver down every coders and physicians' spine. Stop living in fear and start recouping the added money your due with these tips on distinguishing a consult from an office or hospital visit. Bonus: Get the signs you need to spot to code these higher-paying services.

Presenter: Jill M. Young, CPC, CPC-ED, CPC-IM

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Can't Miss: General Surgery 2009 CPT Updates

Learn about all changes to CPT, ICD-9 and the physician fee schedule for 2009 that will affect your general surgery practice the most. You'll get tips on how to prepare your office for the upcoming changes, plus how to find and use vital coding resources that will benefit you all year long.

Presenter: Kathleen A. Mueller, RN, CPC, CCS-P, CMSCS, PCS

Option #1:
Stop Leaving $$$ On the Table for Vascular Surgery Coding: Insider Tactics Revealed

The key to unlocking the mystery of Vascular Coding is contained within the operative report. We will give you some guidelines as how to identify the right keys that will open the door to proper reimbursement. Learn how to differentiate among and apply these vascular codes correctly.

Presenter: Kathleen A. Mueller, RN, CPC, CCS-P, CMSCS, PCS

Option #2:
Establishing Medical Decision Making Level (MDM): Expert Secrets Revealed

Protect your physicians’ E/M levels with these tools that will get the coding team submitting MDM-driven services that will withstand any payer scrutiny. Plus, bust the E/M loophole myth in this action packed session.

Presenter: Sandy Nicholson, MA, RHIA, CCS-P

Option #1:
Climb Up the Reimbursement Scale for Wound Care Coding

CPT contains various codes to describe a variety of skin grafting techniques and materials. Learn how to differentiate among, and apply, these codes correctly, plus the must-know facts on how to assign diagnoses codes for burns.

Presenter: Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, COC-OBGYN, CPC-CARDIO

Option #2:
Incorporating PQRI Into Your Practice: How to Get Your Medicare Bonus

Take the plunge in 2009 and get added money for reporting work your physicians already do. With P4P around the corner, there's no better time to join. Quickly spot the qualifiers you should report on and make sense of the modifier indicators.

Presenter: Alice Marie Reybitz, RN, BA, CPC, CPC-H

Avoid Missteps With Hernia Repair Coding and Minimize Audit Risks

You'll learn how the answers to a few simple questions can help you select the correct hernia repair code, every time. Plus: When and how to report related mesh placement or removal procedures, ICD-9 coding, related anatomy and more.

Presenter: Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, COC-OBGYN, CPC-CARDIO

Refreshment Break

Hemorrhoids Coding: Avoid the Confusion With These Easy-To-Follow Expert Steps

We'll discuss the various methods of hemorrhoid treatment (banding, excision, sclerotherapy, etc.), as well as how to distinguish "internal," "external" and "mixed" hemorrhoids, and how these categories influence code selection. You'll also learn how what coding bundles to watch for.

Presenter: Kathleen A. Mueller, RN, CPC, CCS-P, CMSCS, PCS

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Unfailing, Expert Tips for Lesion Excision & Repairs Coding

Must-know facts on how (and when) to measure lesions, the importance of margins, and fool-proof ICD-9 coding. We'll also cover wound repairs, including when you should report repairs separately with lesion excision, how to distinguish among the various levels of repair, and why wound size matters.

Presenter: John Bishop, PA-C, CPC

Learn the Ins and Outs of Small and Large Bowel Excision and Resections Coding

Surgeons perform small and large bowel resections routinely, but often use imprecise or confusing terminology in the operative report. When the rectum is involved, the category changes, too. Openings in the abdominal wall such as stomas, colostomies, ileostomies and other openings also add complexity when billing these procedures. We'll give you the facts you need to report these procedures with confidence, claim after claim.

Presenter: Kathleen A. Mueller, RN, CPC, CCS-P, CMSCS, PCS

Option #1:
Solidify Your Breast Surgery Coding With Tips for Excision, Biopsy, Mastectomy, Lumpectomy, & More!

Breast procedures can be tricky, especially because terminology can often mislead you and result in incorrect code selection. Get the facts on what to look for when scanning the operative report, the crucial question you'll need to ask to determine if the surgeon performed a partial mastectomy or a less-extensive excision, and when to report biopsy procedures separately.

Presenter: Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, COC-OBGYN, CPC-CARDIO

Option #2:
Are Consultations Slowing Down Your Performance? Gain Full Speed Again With Road-Tested Expert Tips

Transfer of care sends a shiver down every coders and physicians' spine. Stop living in fear and start recouping the added money your due with these tips on distinguishing a consult from an office or hospital visit. Bonus: Get the signs you need to spot to code these higher-paying services.

Presenter: Jill M. Young, CPC, CPC-ED, CPC-IM

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Dig Into Medical Necessity Essentials For Maximum Pay-Up

It's no longer enough to just check off elements to get to higher levels--you have to show a reason for doing it.

Presenter: Sandy Nicholson, MA, RHIA, CCS-P

Establishing Medical Decision Making Level (MDM): Expert Secrets Revealed

Protect your physicians' E/M levels with these tools that will get the coding team submitting MDM-driven services that will withstand any payer scrutiny. Plus, bust the E/M loophole myth in this action packed session.

Presenter: Sandy Nicholson, MA, RHIA, CCS-P

Incorporating PQRI Into Your Practice: How To Get Your Medicare Bonus

Take the plunge in 2009 and get added money for reporting work your physicians already do. With P4P around the corner, there's no better time to join. Quickly spot the qualifiers you should report on and make sense of the modifier indicators.

Presenter: Alice Marie Reybitz, RN, BA, CPC, CPC-H

Avoid Modifier Missteps With These Rock-Solid Expert Tips

These magical two numbers have the power to make or break a payment. Find out how to unleash their revenue without winding up an OIG statistic. Plus, debunk carrier versus payer modifier myths that can leave money on the table.

Presenter: Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC-OTO, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CHCC

Refreshment Break

Can't Miss: 2009 Medicine CPT Updates

Are you ready for the release of any new information on Modifiers applications and CPT guidelines? What new codes will affect your practice in 2009? Attend this seminar to see.

Make sure you and your office are prepared for the 2009 CPT changes. Compliant and correct coding dictates that you must be ready for implementation of these new codes and measures for January 1, 2009.

Presenter: Jill M. Young, CPC, CPC-ED, CPC-IM

Must-Attend: 2009 CPT E/M Updates

Kiss good-bye to this often confused modifier and make sense of its' E/M counterparts' revisions. You can't afford not to know how one whole section is remapped. Take home these must-know concepts. This workshop will outline how the 17 new, 18 deleted and 15 revised codes will impact your practice.

Presenter: Jill M. Young, CPC, CPC-ED, CPC-IM

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Capture Lost Revenue With Strong Appeals & Denials Management

Sure, working appeals is a good idea. But with few staff, heavy workloads and little spare time, can you really find time for this work? Appeals expert will tell you how you can't afford not to, while teaching you to work smarter, not harder on getting payment faster with fewer snags.

Presenter: Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC-OTO, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CHCC

Reach Your Reimbursement Peak For Incident-To Billing

These incident-to musts will let your physician use ancillary staff to free up his valuable time while still allowing the encounter to capture 100 percent payment. This look inside the intricies of this billing method will keep you CMS compliant and offer alternative strategies.

Presenter: Sharlene A. Scott, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, CCP-P, CPC-I

Are Consultations Slowing Down Your Performance? Gain Full Speed Again With Road-Tested Expert Tips

Transfer of care sends a shiver down every coders and physicians' spine. Stop living in fear and start recouping the added money your due with these tips on distinguishing a consult from an office or hospital visit. Bonus: Get the signs you need to spot to code these higher-paying services.

Presenter: Jill M. Young, CPC, CPC-ED, CPC-IM

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Can’t Miss: Neurosurgery 2009 CPT Updates

CPT 2009 changes are almost here. Make sure you’re ready to update your superbill with the latest code edits, additions and deletions that specifically affect your neurosurgery practice. Our expert coding veteran distills out the information so that you get the details that you need to use these codes Jan. 1 - without even one hiccup to slow you down.

Presenter: Eric Sandhusen, MPH, CHC, CPC

Are Consultations Slowing Down Your Performance? Gain Full Speed Again With Road-Tested Expert Tips

Your neurosurgeon probably performs more consults than any other E/M service, but can you justify that with the documentation to have? Know what elements to look for so that you can report consults correctly … and can back them up.

Presenter: Susan E. Garrison, CHC, CHCA, PCS, FCS, CCS P, CPAR, CPC, CPC H

Kyphoplasty vs. Vertebroplasty: Smooth Out the Coding Bumps and Get PAID!

If you don’t know the difference between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, you could be assigning the wrong codes — and receiving the wrong reimbursement. Don’t shortchange your practice. Avoid the confusion by attending this fact-filled session and walk away with the details you need to code these procedures right every time.

Presenter: Sharlene A. Scott, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, CCP-P, CPC-I

Solve the Modifier Conundrum With These Guaranteed Expert Tips

Learn how to avoid using modifiers that will get your claims audited and how to get better reimbursement by using the correct modifiers. Learn the difference between modifier -25, 57, 59, 26 and TC and how to apply them correctly.

Presenter: Suzanne Quinton, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-Ortho

Refreshment Break

Spine Lesion Removal: What You Don't Know Could Be Hurting Your Bottom-Line

Spinal lesion coding doesn’t have to be back-breaking work. Ease your load, and learn from Eric Sandhusen as he teaches you how to avoid spinal lesion coding pitfalls that snag most coders:

Presenter: Eric Sandhusen, MPH, CHC, CPC

Evacuation of Hematoma and/or Aneurysm: Insider Coding Tactics Revealed

Does hematoma and aneurysm evacuation coding give you a pounding headache for the rest of the day? Are you absolutely sure you’re grabbing the reimbursement your surgeon deserves for these procedures, which are often multi-site and sometimes prolonged ? Help is here. Learn the modifier mistakes that can sink hematoma evacuation claims — and let our expert speaker coach you on 50, 59 and 22. Know when you can buck CCI and bill 61312 separately from 61510. Ace shunt placement coding challenges, and learn the diagnosis codes that keep your claims denial-free.

Presenter: Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, COC-OBGYN, CPC-CARDIO

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Rock-Solid Coding Strategies For Stereotactic Radiosurgery Coding

If you were to tell a non-coder friend you’ve got “stereotactic radiosurgery” claims on your desk, she might assume you’re coding for Dr. Spock. And indeed, these cutting-edge, constantly changing procedures take you into new coding frontiers. In this session, Suzanne will teach you when you should use unlisted codes, why most practices don’t get what they deserve for 61793, some new SRS revenue opportunities from CCI, and much, much more.

Presenter: Suzanne Quinton, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-Ortho

Refreshment Break

#Option1
Triumph Over Pediatric Neurosurgery Coding Dilemmas with Guaranteed, Expert Tips

Learn how to tackle the surgical coding issues faced by pediatric neurosurgeons. Get answers to questions on shunt placements (including revisions and programming), craniosynostosis surgery, epilepsy surgery, and treatment of skull fractures, and intracranial injury. You'll get the tools to answer these questions plus the influence of modifiers!

Presenter: Greg Przybylski, MD

#Option2
Reach Your Reimbursement Peak for Incident-To Billing

These incident-to musts will let your physician use ancillary staff to free up his valuable time while still allowing the encounter to capture 100 percent payment. This look inside the intricacies of this billing method will keep you CMS compliant and offer alternative strategies.

Presenter: Sharlene A. Scott, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, CCP-P, CPC-I

Grab Onto These Functional Neurosurgery Coding Tips for Accurate Reimbursement EVERY Time!

Wrap your mind around deep brain stimulation, spinal cord stimulation implants (including trials and final placement), epilepsy surgery, and other functional neurosurgery coding challenges with nationally-recognized neurosurgeon and reimbursement expert Dr. Greg Przybylski. Get his expert advice on how to get the information you need from your physician’s DBS note. Learn diagnosis coding techniques that support medical necessity. Discover how old procedure notes can help you snag reimbursement for SCS. Ace your modifier moves for staged procedures and much, much more.

Presenter: Greg Przybylski, MD

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Can’t Miss: Oncology & Hematology 2009 CPT Updates

Get a jump on the CPT changes that you have to apply Jan. 1 in just 1 hour. Don't waste your time on general CPT updates. After this session, you'll head back to your practice with tips on accurately reporting the new and changed codes that affect you most.

Presenter: Roberta L. Buell, MBA

Must-Have: Oncology & Hematology 2009 ICD-9 Updates

ICD-9 paid special attention to oncology diagnoses this year - have you mastered all the changes? Find out what you need to know so you can choose between the new relapse and remission leukemia codes, report the most specific code in the new 209.XX range and more.

Presenter: Brenda Chidester Palmer, CPC, CCS-P

Infusion Coding: Fill-Up On These Expert Guidelines and Get PAID What You Deserve!

You know that even if you master the maze of infusion coding rules, real-life situations can still throw you a curveball. Find out how to apply published guidelines to the cases you see in your practice, including the lowdown on concurrent infusions, the reality of hydration coding and the drug coding essentials that reimbursement changes are making more indispensable everyday.

Presenter: Brenda Chidester Palmer, CPC, CCS-P

Refreshment Break

Stop the Confusion for Lab Coding & ESA Rules: Expert Secrets Revealed

If your head's still spinning from Medicare's constant ESA rule changes this year, our expert speaker can help you zero in on the latest guideline and apply it to your claims. But that's not all. Take your lab coding to another level with proven tactics for bone marrow biopsies, diagnosis coding, blood draws and more.

Presenter: Roberta L. Buell, MBA

Radiation Oncology Coding: Avoid These Common Mistakes and Audit Traps for Maximum Pay-Up

Boost your radiation oncology coding accuracy with a look at how to avoid the common mistakes and audit traps that can sink your claims. Start with the essentials of internal and external source coding, and then get a no-holds-barred look at how to apply those rules in the real world.

Presenter: Scott Plemmons, R.T.(R)(T)

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Coding for Ambulatory Pumps From A to Z

You need a special skill set to code for ambulatory pump use, and our expert presenter is here to be sure you have the tools you need. Get ready to learn how to code for everything from hook up to disconnect, whether you own the pumps or not.

Presenter: Lisa Martin, CPC, CPC-INTMED

Refreshment Break

Reach Your Reimbursement Peak for Incident-To Billing

NPPs have always been crucial to your practice's success, but with the increasing number of baby boom patients, NPPs' role will continue to grow. Prepare yourself by learning the most important rules to follow when working with NPPs and the compliance danger-zone of incident-to billing.

Presenter: Brenda Chidester Palmer, CPC, CCS-P

Triumph Over Your Hospice & SNF Billing Dilemmas With These Easy-To-Follow Expert Steps

Hospice and SNF services come with their own set of rules, and you can't afford not to know them. Learn how to overcome common pitfalls, such as how to make payment arrangements with SNFs and how to handle treatment for hospice patients for any diagnosis.

Presenter: Lisa Martin, CPC, CPC-INTMED

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

E/M Codes vs. Eye Codes: Must-Have Expert Tips to Accurately Choose the Correct One

At times even veteran ophthalmology and optometry coders struggle with whether to bill an E/M service code or eye code. Get the must-have knowledge to help you avoid unnecessary office visit denials in this in-depth session. Learn the key differences between the two codesets, the documentation criteria for each, and the keys to avoiding common coding mistakes.

Presenter: Lynn Taylor, CMA, PCS, CPC, PMCC Approved Instructor

Option #1:
PQRI Implementation: 2009 Reporting Basics & More!

Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) is becoming the hot topic among physician offices, as Medicare moves toward a “pay-for-performance” model. Thanks to the Tax Relief and Healthcare Act of 2006, a lump-sum bonus payment is now available to physicians for tracking and reporting quality care measures on their Medicare patients. Learn how easy it is to earn a 1.5% bonus for the services your practice is already providing.

Presenter: Alice Marie Reybitz, RN, BA, CPC, CPC-H

Option #2:
Avoid Modifier Missteps With These Rock-Solid Expert Tips

Develop your modifier “must” list by learning all the in’s and out’s of CPT modifiers. The OIG and even private insurers are cracking down on overuse of modifiers 25 and 59. Are you sure you’re using them correctly? After this session, you can be sure. Gain the confidence to capture an E/M session with a minor procedure, override an NCCI edit, correctly bill a bilateral procedure, escape a global period and apply the decision for surgery modifier.

Presenter: Raequell Duran, CPC

Can’t Miss: Ophthalmology/Optometry 2009 CPT Updates

It’s never too soon to start thinking about CPT changes for 2009. Avoid new-years confusion by getting all the information you need on which ophthalmology and optometry codes have been added, deleted or revised. You’ll be able to hit the ground running in January with our expert inside information.

Presenter: Raequell Duran, CPC

Gleaming Expert Tips to Shine Through the Special Testing Coding Fog

OCT, ophthalmoscopies, gonioscopies, fundus photography — oh my! Maximize your reimbursement on special testing services such as these with the expert strategies you’ll garner in this session. Be confident in unilateral versus bilateral, technical/professional components, NPP rules, global period limitations, and much more.

Presenter: Raequell Duran, CPC

Refreshment Break

Techs vs. Providers

A good COA or COT can be worth her weight in gold — but if you don't know the coding and billing rules, it's gold your practice might be missing out on. Learn how to make the most of your technicians' services, and how to accurately and lucratively report their services. Plus, get to the bottom of incident-to rules and supervision requirements.

Presenter: Lynn Taylor, CMA, PCS, CPC, PMCC Approved Instructor

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

#Option1:
Are You Seeing Clearly With Your ASC Ophthalmology Coding?

Ophthalmology is one of the few specialties that will benefit from CMS' whopping changes to ambulatory surgery center coding. But your success is only as good as your facility managers’, coders’ and billers’ knowledge of the new reimbursement rules. Open your eyes to new opportunities for ophthalmic ASC reimbursement with coding and billing expert, Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS. In this one-hour course you’ll learn valuable coding information to ensure your ASC receives every reimbursement dollar it deserves to include but not limited to: Cataract Surgery, HCPCS coding of IOL’s, Glaucoma & Retina procedures, injectable drugs, and strabismus surgery.

Presenter: Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS

#Option2:
Documentation Essentials Every Professional Needs to Know

School taught your ophthalmologist to take notes, but not coding notes. Learn to create pay-protecting documentation that will withstand an audit. Find out what an I&R & consultation note should really include. Plus, what to do when an auditor comes knocking.

Presenter: Raequell Duran, CPC

Is Your Cataract Co-Management Coding a Little Cloudy?

What could be triggering your postoperative cataract care denial? The modifier the surgeon’s not using? The ICD-9 code the optometrist is listing? The info you’re putting in box 19? With patience and consistency, you can get postop care claims paid the first time around. Learn which modifiers to use to split the postop co-management work between the ophthalmic surgeon and the optometrist.

Presenter: Becky Zellmer, CPC-E/M, MBS, CBCS

#Option1:
Oculoplastics Coding: Crystal-Clear Expert Solutions You Can Bank On!

From blepharoplasty to enucleation, oculoplastics procedures cover a wide range of complexity — and reimbursement. Get the latest coding and billing tips in this rapidly-growing field.

Presenter: Becky Zellmer, CPC-E/M, MBS, CBCS

#Option2:
Fee Schedule Creation

With yearly threats of fee schedule cuts in the double digits, you’re under pressure to find ways to capitalize on the work your ophthalmologists/optometrists are currently doing and maximize the efficiency of your practice. This session will delve into ways to evaluate your fee structures, sift your way through the complexities of RBRVS, and analyze your practice offerings. Prepare yourself for next year and beyond!

Presenter: Raequell Duran, CPC

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Can’t Miss: Orthopedic 2009 CPT Updates

CPT 2009 promises 519 code changes — and surgery and E/M aren’t getting off lightly. This session dishes up all you need to apply the changes correctly Jan. 1, including an inside look at CPT’s rationale. Bonus: Head back to your practice with expert-approved documentation guidelines for the new codes that affect you most.

Presenter: Annette Grady, CPC-Ortho, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I, CPC-P, CCS-P, PCS, FCS

Hand & Wrist Coding: Including Surgery Case Studies, Common Diagnoses, AAOS Vs. CPT & More!

Capturing every element of the hand and wrist procedures your surgeon performs is a snap - if you know what to look for. Master the skills you need to code these delicate procedures, and then apply those skills to real-life case studies that address the problems you confront everyday.

Presenter: John Bishop, PA-C, CPC

Solve the Modifier Conundrum With Rock-Solid Expert Tips

The numbers tell the story: Applying orthopedic surgery modifiers is complex, but our expert jam-packs this hour with proven tips you can use for cases that span multiple days - or multiple practices. You'll walk away knowing how the modifier affects your payment and how to be sure you get every dollar you deserve.

Presenter: Annette Grady, CPC-Ortho, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I, CPC-P, CCS-P, PCS, FCS

Overcome The Foot & Ankle Coding Hurdles With These Guaranteed Winning Techniques

Kick costly coding mistakes to the curb with solutions to the real-life situations that frustrate you most. Does 27792 include 27769? What should you do when the various coding guidelines conflict? You'll get these answers and more in this comprehensive foot and ankle session.

Presenter: Annette Grady, CPC-Ortho, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I, CPC-P, CCS-P, PCS, FCS

9 Easy Ways To Maximize Your Shoulder & Elbow Coding For Optimal Pay-Up

You have to keep track of whether 29827 needs a modifier for multiple portals and whether a graft indicates elbow repair or reconstruction. You shouldn't have to struggle with trying to match your op report terminology to CPT and ICD-9 language, too. Our expert has the tactics you need to boost your efficiency and accuracy at the same time.

Presenter: John Bishop, PA-C, CPC

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Avoid Missteps for Knee & Hip Coding And Minimize Audit Risks

You've got documentation of a loose body removal in the knee - whose guidelines do you follow? And what do you do for all those hip procedures that CPT doesn't offer a code for? If you think a unicomparmental knee replacement report is hard enough to dig into without conversion to a TKA, come get all the tactics and strategies you need to handle the many possibilities knee and hip procedures throw your way.

Presenter: Quita Edwards, CPC, CCS-P

Unfailing E/M Coding Tactics Every Ortho Professional Needs to Know

Medicare thinks specialists like your surgeons are billing too many consults. The culprit? Misunderstanding that tricky term "transfer of care." This session shores up your E/M coding, tackling the toughest concepts, with training from one of the top E/M coding experts in the field.

Presenter: Susan E. Garrison, CHC, CHCA, PCS, FCS, CCS P, CPAR, CPC, CPC H

Registration, Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Can’t Miss: Pathology & Clinical Lab 2009 CPT Coding & Regulatory Update

Make sure you’re ready on Jan. 1 to start using new CPT codes. Look for a myeloperoxidase test for heart attack, oncoprotein test for liver cancer, specific coagulation analytes, transcutaneous lab procedures and more. Watch out for NCD updates and other regulatory changes that will affect your bottom line.

Presenter: Joan Logue, BS, MT, ASCP

Place of Service and Dates of Service

Where and when did you perform a lab test or anatomic pathology service? The answers may not be as obvious as you think, and getting them wrong can mean not getting paid for your work. Follow our expert’s advice about the latest billing rules for specimens with a different draw and test date, archived specimens, and send-out tests.

Presenter: Joan Logue, BS, MT, ASCP

Billing for IHC and Flow Cytometry Testing: Insider Tips to Make Sure You Get PAID

Make the most of adjunct services for cancer cases. Capture every step of flow-cytometry immunophenotyping to make sure you don’t leave money on the table. Learn top immunohistochemistry (IHC) coding tips including how to maneuver compound stains. Ensure correct documentation for IHC results and the subsequent coding, including use of 59 modifier.

Presenter: Joan Gilhooly, CPC, CHCC

Get It Right the First Time: Medicare & Non-Medicare Pap Test Reporting

Pap testing, especially for the Medicare program, offers unique billing challenges. Coding is one of these challenges. Screening and diagnostic Pap tests must be differentiated for procedural coding. Requirements exist for diagnosis coding, as well. Certain contractors supplement the national coverage guidelines with local policies. And, multiple fee schedules affect reimbursement. In addition, CMS has recently adopted a new Advance Beneficiary Notice.

Presenter: Diana W. Voorhees, M.A., CLS, MT, SH, CLCP

Refreshment Break

Powerful Expert Advice for ICD-9-CM Reporting & Compliance

With over 125 new lab-specific diagnosis codes in ICD-9 2009, you’ll have to stay up to date if you want to show medical necessity for your tests. Learn about important changes for coding carcinoid tumors, leukemia, Pap smears, and much, much more. Diagnosis coding is an essential and often misunderstood process in overall coding and claims processing. This conference will present basic diagnosis coding principles and pathology/lab specific examples. Incorrect diagnosis coding can result in denial of claims and prior authorizations, lost or decreased payments and future insurability issues for patience and possible inappropriate treatment decisions. Understanding the consequences and necessary information can make the difference between payment and denial.

Presenter: Joan Gilhooly, CPC, CHCC

Continental Breakfast & Exhibits

Maximize Your Revenue for Clinical Lab Test Billing & Collections

Boost your revenue with Dennis’s know-how on the background, principles, legality, and generally accepted policies and practices for billing and collecting professional fees for routine clinical lab tests for hospital inpatients and outpatients. Included are discussion of the hospital contract terms that need to be in place, the payers and insurers that can and can’t be billed such fees, and the sources of information to use to set the initial professional fee per test. After attending this session you’ll be able to describe the steps that should be taken to determine whether professional component of clinical lab test billing is viable for your practice, the fundamental billing and collection policies and practices that need to be implemented, the methods to use to notify patients of their possible liability, and the contractual arrangements needed with your hospital and the main private insurers with which you deal.

Presenter: Dennis Padget, MBA, CPA, FHFMA

Surefire Coding Tactics for NCDs/LCDs

NCDs (National Coverage Determinations) are intended to guide payers and providers regarding coverage of particular services. Coverage is typically associated with certain conditions or diagnoses and reported with associated ICD-9 codes. NCDs may be supplemented with LCDs (Local Coverage Determinations). These local policies are implemented to provide clarity or further conditions of coverage. Medical necessity is the underlying outcome for these policies. Variances lead to billing caveats.

Presenter: Diana W. Voorhees, M.A., CLS, MT, SH, CLCP

Early Registration

Nuts & Bolts of ASC Coding

ASC coding is its own unique subset of coding. CPT codes and AMA Modifiers are used to report the procedures performed, but sometimes the guidelines follow physician coding while at other times hospital outpatient coding guidelines are employed. The challenge for ASC coders is to know when and which guideline to apply to ensure the integrity of the claims submitted and the revenue generated. During this session, Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS and Cristina Bentin, CCS-P, CPC-H, CMA will review the basic concepts needed to accurately assign and code procedures performed in an ASC, including a comprehensive review of ASC modifier usage; ancillary coding opportunities; payment indicator use; when to apply CCI edits; and potential “hot” spots of over or undercoding. Whenever possible, Joanne and Cristina will illustrate these coding guidelines with real-life examples, operative notes, or authoritative references for your use back at the office.

Presenter: Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS and Cristina Bentin, CCS-P, CPC-H, CMA

Back to Basics: Everything You Wanted to Know About Coding But Were Afraid to Ask

Unlock the hidden treasures in your CPT book that will make you a better, more accurate coder. Map codes to punctuation guides, insurer guidelines, relative values, CCI edits and more. You’ll come away with a wealth of knowledge you only heard, but didn’t comprehend.

Presenter: Leslie Johnson, CPC

Expanding Your Practice: Leading Advice For Winning Results

Presenter: Jerrie K. Weith, FHFMA

Fundamentals of Pain Management Coding & Documentation Requirements

Walk-away from this workshop with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of Pain Management coding and documentation requirements, with an emphasis on the common procedures performed in a Pain Management practice. This session would be great for those new to the specialty or as a refresher course for those who want a review of the basics.

Presenter: Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, ACS-PM, CHCO

Nuts & Bolts of Anesthesia Coding & Documentation Requirements

This four hour workshop is designed to help both those who are both new to anesthesia as well as those who need a brush up course for their everyday work situations … such as anesthesia time, qualifying circumstances, medical direction and invasive lines. Joanne and Kelly will discuss the many aspects of coding and documentation requirements for anesthesia billing.

Presenter: Joanne Mehmert, CPC, ACS-PM and Kelly Dennis, MBA, CPC, ACS-AP

All About CPT Coding for Pathology Subspecialties

Gain must-have expert tips on correct CPT coding, proper medical report documentation, and Medicare compliance for pathology subspecialty cases. The subspecialties of interest are neuropathology, hematopathology (bone marrow cases), renal pathology, dermatopathology, and clinical pathology. After attending this workshop you’ll be able to instruct your pathologists regarding all chargeable services normally encountered with these cases, proper and complete medical reporting to assure accurate billable service identification and subsequent audit support, and compliant CPT reporting for all eligible services per case.

Presenter: Dennis Padget, MBA, CPA, FHFMA

Nuts & Bolts Of General Surgery Coding

This workshop is perfect for coders new to this specialty or looking for a refresher. You will gain tips for terminology, anatomy, bundling issues, the common pitfalls of surgical coding and E/M coding for the surgery practice, and much more! Our expert will give you examples of coding a patient from new patient visit, surgery, post op care with complications.

Presenter: Susan E. Garrison, CHC, CHCA, PCS, FCS, CCS P, CPAR, CPC, CPC H

Your One-Stop Orthopedic Trauma Coding Shop

Coding soft tissue injuries, multiple fractures, amputation or all of the above ... for a single patient. You have to prepare for anything when you code trauma. Bring order to the chaos with this in-depth session on co-surgery, team surgery, multiple procedures, and follow-up. You'll get the scoop on teaching physician guidelines and more! Even if you don't code trauma everyday, you'll gain valuable tools you can apply as soon as you return to the office.

Presenter: Quita Edwards, CPC, CCS-P

ASC Operative Note Abstracting & Anatomy

Coding from the procedure performed lines put you at risk of non-compliance and missing billable services. Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS and Cristina Bentin, CCS-P, CPC-H, CMA will walk you through the fine art of dissecting an operative note to recover all codeable and billable procedures to maximize your reimbursement. Experienced and novice surgery coders alike will benefit as Joanne and Cristina walk you through actual op notes to reveal a comprehensive approach to coding and reimbursement for surgeries – including an intensive review of applicable modifiers. Joanne & Cristina will reveal how anatomical surgical landmarks can help decipher what the physician has done. Every procedure can bring in valuable reimbursement that in today’s environment can afford to be missed. The coder’s job is more important than ever in assuring the financial Join them as they goes over excerpts from a variety of operative notes using operative jargon and anatomical points to guide you to the most appropriate CPT code or codes. You’ll work through hands-on coding scenarios that will benefit you no matter what specialty you are.

Presenter: Joanne Schade-Boyce, RDH, MS, CPC, ACS, PCS and
              Cristina Bentin, CCS-P, CPC-H, CMA

New Twists on Key Fundamentals for a Successful Practice

Industry-leader reveals new twists on key fundamentals that are essential to your practice’s longevity and success. Learn how to get your staff on-board to minimize costs, stay on budget, and gain effective tactics to keep your patients satisfied. Come with questions in this interactive practice perfecting session.

Teach Your Doctor How to Properly Document and Avoid Under Coding Once and for All!

Coders & practice managers: We feel your pain. When it comes to proper documentation, do you feel like you and the physicians in your practice are rarely on the same page? And physicians: Are you worried your documentation isn’t doing what it needs to do to catch a ride on the reimbursement train? Join our nationally-recognized expert to receive must-have documentation education to ensure you are collecting every dollar you deserve, shining in audits and heading off compliance risks.

Presenter: Suzan Berman-Hvizdash, CPC, CPC-EDS, CPC-EMS

Anesthesia Coding and Billing for the Advanced Professional

This four-hour session is an in-depth discussion of anesthesia services and is designed to appeal to coders with more than just a basic understanding of anesthesia billing. We’ll discuss solutions to difficult scenarios and billing situations that often cause confusion. We will also discuss ways to stay in the “advanced” professional category.

Presenter: Kelly Dennis, MBA, CPC, ACS-AP

Pain Management Coding and Billing for the Advanced Professional

Walk away with expert coding tips for the more advanced procedures for controlling pain, including coding for new techniques for spinal cord /peripheral nerve stimulators. Plus, receive the latest updates on Medicare’s current position relative to coverage for percutaneous disk procedures such as intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) and Biacuplasty.

Presenter: Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, ACS-PM, CHCO and Joanne Mehmert, CPC, ACS-PM

General Surgery Op Notes: Important Tactics You Can Put Into Practice Immediately

You look at operative reports all day long, but are you sure you’re capturing all your surgeon’s work. Make sure with this expert session that will show you exactly what you should be looking for as you dissect your op notes to capture every procedure your physician performs.

Presenter: Kathleen A. Mueller, RN, CPC, CCS-P, CMSCS, PCS

Oncology & Hematology Audits and Appeals to Keep Your Reimbursement Flowing

You can fine tune your practice protocols to keep the reimbursement flowing with the tips and tools you take from this session. You'll turn current denials into success stories and get practice-proven tips on preventing denials using audits. You'll come away knowing where to spend your time and energy to get the most bang for your buck.

Presenter: Barbara Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC-OTO, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CHCC

Spinal Surgery Coding Challenges Are A Thing Of The Past: Prominent Coding Authority Reveals All!

Let’s face the facts; spine surgery can get extremely complicated. But you can stop pulling out your hair in frustration because this workshop has the answers, tools and expert strategies to break down your spine coding so that your practice receives all the reimbursement its entitled to.

Presenter: Greg Przybylski, MD

Avoid the Molecular Coding Maze With These Easy-To-Follow Expert Steps

Molecular diagnostic technology may be the fastest growing segment of laboratory testing. This technology has exploded in importance in research, analytical development, and diagnostic testing and has created the concept of personalized medicine. This session will address current use of coding, mechanisms for reimbursement, testing requirements and perceivable impedances for payment.

Presenter: Diana W. Voorhees, M.A., CLS, MT, SH, CLCP

Real Ophthalmology/Optometry Case Studies: Coding Dissectio

Roll up your sleeves for this interactive workshop by digging into real-life cases! You will evaluate and define the amount of history taken, the documentation needed, chief complaints listed, level of exam done, diagnosis possible, and how to bill the visit correctly. Walk away with the tools you need to get better patient records, better patient care, better compliance — and more income

Presenter: Becky Zellmer, CPC-E/M, MBS, CBCS