Before the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting gets started in Chicago in October, the ACR’s pre-meeting practice management and coding courses offer an intensive educational opportunity. The Oct. 19–20 sessions, ACR Coding Course: Unlock the Mysteries of Advanced Coding for Rheumatology and Practice Management: Putting the Pieces Together—Winning Strategies for Rheumatology Practices, are the industry’s premier events dedicated to advancing the coding journey and exploring the challenges in rheumatology practices.
With a keynote address from nationally recognized industry experts and roundtable discussions, participants will gain insight and hands-on training across a range of presentations on coding and billing best practices, revenue management and thriving in a value-based payment system. The sessions consist of interactive presentations with real-world examples, which provide critical insights into the front and back end of practice management, along with advanced networking opportunities.
Day 1—ACR Coding Course
On Friday, Oct. 19, ACR practice staff Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP, and Melesia Tillman, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CHA, will delve into defining documentation risk areas when reporting evaluation and management (E/M) services and provide insights on how to improve them, demonstrate how to comply with coding and payer rules when coding rheumatology procedures, and review real-life charts on what payers are looking for when auditing rheumatology services. They will also closely examine the gray areas of coding, documentation and billing. Lastly, because the demands of risk adjustment coding are complex and failure to comply can be costly, Ms. Chung and Ms. Tillman will illuminate proper coding methodology and medical necessity, as well as explain how to adapt rheumatology coverage policies in the reimbursement process.
Day 2—Practice Management Course
The key to a successful rheumatology practice is providing the best medical care while running an office efficiently through best business practices. Gain the tools needed to influence change at the practice management course on Saturday, Oct. 20, as the nation’s leading experts in practice management tackle key areas, such as practice models and alignment strategies, building real-time analytics for practice improvement, and negotiating and managing payer contracts like a pro. Presenters include Owen Dahl, MBA, FACHE, LSSMBB, who has over 43 years of experience in consulting and managing medical practices. He is the author of several top-selling titles on various aspects of medical practice and business management, which include Think Business! Medical Practice Quality, Efficiency, Profits, second edition, and The Medical Practice Disaster Planning Workbook, and co-authored Lean Six Sigma for The Medical Practice.
Also, presenter Sean Weiss, CEMA, CMCO, CPMA, will cover important topics, such as how to minimize audit risk and ensure that your practice optimizes revenue with specific tools, tips and guidance through efficient clinical and operational performance.
The Practice Management Roundtable
As part of the practice management course on Oct. 20, don’t miss the opportunity to connect, learn and engage at the practice management roundtable to get your practice-specific questions answered by your peers. Special guest Karen Ferguson, practice administrator at Arthritis Northwest PLLC and Washington State Medical Group Management Association past president, will share her personal experience of preparing her practice to thrive in a value-based payment system through patient/physician-centered care. “The industry is moving aggressively from fee-for-service to risk-based payment models. Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are particularly in focus, because they are among the top three most costly conditions for specialty drugs,” says Ms. Ferguson. She states that because value-based reimbursement is implemented to address this transition, practices must adapt quickly to the future of tying cost to quality for improvement and accountability. Moving early, in particular, can give practices more opportunity to partner with payers and shape these new payment models. Ms. Ferguson will share how her team improved patient access to care and leveraged data from provider documentation to negotiate and finalize one of the first value-based contracts for rheumatology clinics.
The Take-Away
This two-day event will provide the most up-to-date information that attendees can apply within their organization, no matter the size or setup. Not only will you learn how to measure coding and practice program success, but you’ll also identify ways to improve program strategies beyond the patient setting for more efficiency. During these presentations, speakers will provide tips and other tools to advance coding and practice management improvement through technology and innovation. This year’s preconference courses are all about empowering rheumatologists, fellows in training, health professionals, practice administrators and ancillary staff to improve productivity and proficiency in the practice.
Don’t Miss It!
The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting premeeting courses are the premiere events addressing the critical business, payer and regulatory issues that affect the physician practice management. Don’t miss out on these interactive programs designed to help you and your team be more aligned toward your practice goals and vision.
Discounted registration packages are available for the coding and practice management summit. For additional registration information, visit www.rheumatology.org/Annual-Meeting/Registration, or contact the ACR Practice Management department at [email protected].
