by Mary Pat Whaley | Jul 21, 2011 | Collections, Billing & Coding, Compliance, Day-to-Day Operations, Medicare & Reimbursement
Today’s CMS call reviewed the guidelines for the IPPE (Initial Preventive Physical Exam) and the AWV (Annual Wellness Visit), what they include and how to code for them. What is the IPPE (also called the “Welcome to Medicare Visit”)? The IPPE is a...
by Mary Pat Whaley | Jul 5, 2011 | Collections, Billing & Coding, Day-to-Day Operations, Physician Relations, The Cohen Report (NCCI & RVUs)
There is no one, and I do mean no one, in your medical practice who does not need to know the basics of coding. Here is why: Providing services to patients is the business of healthcare. Every person who relies on healthcare for their living should understand...
by Mary Pat Whaley | May 4, 2011 | Collections, Billing & Coding, Finance, Innovation, Practice Marketing
Consumers deserve to know what your service costs. Why would anyone buy anything without knowing what it costs? Consumers should know both the value of the service as well as knowing what is their personal responsibility to pay. Publishing fees makes you justify them....
by Mary Pat Whaley | Apr 20, 2011 | A Career in Practice Management, Collections, Billing & Coding, Day-to-Day Operations, Medicare & Reimbursement
Revenue cycle management (RCM) is a critical function in any healthcare entity. Managers do not have to know every detail about RCM, but if the RCM is on-site, they must understand: RCM reports and how to spot and be proactive about down-trends; performance measures...
by Mary Pat Whaley | Jan 16, 2011 | Collections, Billing & Coding, Day-to-Day Operations
Please welcome MMP’s newest sponsor: SmartFund Medical Acceptance Company, LLC aka “SMAC” When I first heard about SMAC I thought they were a collection agency. But SMAC is not a collection agency in the traditional sense and I interviewed President...
by Mary Pat Whaley | Dec 12, 2010 | Collections, Billing & Coding, Day-to-Day Operations, Finance
Non-sufficient funds (NSF) checks cost practices time and money. A NSF check (also called a bad check, a bounced check, or a returned check) is one that a patient gives you, you deposit and the bank returns to you because the account is closed or does not have...