2013–A Whole New World

Practicing medicine is becoming a juggling act as CMS tries to throw numerous new regulations at us to see who survives. In just the past few years, physicians have had to adapt to the Physician Quality Reporting System (previously PQRI), electronic prescribing, meaningful use, recovery audit contractors, and more. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks, after all. The question is quickly becoming, How many tricks can you teach an old dog before he tires out?

For additional information on ICD-10, visit the ACR’s website, www.rheumatology.org/practice, or contact the practice management department at (404) 633-3777 or [email protected].

Dr. Borenstein is clinical professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at George Washington University Medical Center, in Washington, D.C., and in private practice at Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates there. Contact him via e-mail at [email protected].

The ICD-10 page on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website features a countdown clock that shows the time left until Oct. 1, 2015, the date on which compliance with the new code set becomes mandatory. By the time this issue goes to press, the clock will read 90 or fewer days. Time…

Coding changes will have an impact on staff, physicians, and even the finances of rheumatology practices

For the past 30 years, coders have used the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) to identify and report diseases, signs, and symptoms as well as to measure morbidity and mortality in the United States. In general, coders identify ICD-9 as the heartbeat of reimbursement for medical procedures because this is what drives medical necessity.

Change will affect all facets of a rheumatology practice, from front desk to doctor charting to finances

Prepare NOW for ICD-10 Medical Coding Transition

Plan Now for ICD-10 Changeover

ICD-10 from a Coder’s Perspective

ICD-10 Adoption Brings Major Changes to Practices

Related Articles