Time to rethink your charging processes and personnel

Over the past several years, U.S. hospitals have experienced 30% to 40% growth in the number of patients receiving treatment for peripheral vascular disease. The problem is, coding and billing practices have largely failed to keep pace with this growth, due to a large influx of new codes, complex coding and billing rules, under-trained staff and outdated charge capture processes. It may be time for you to rethink how your hospital is handling charge capture for diagnostic and interventional peripheral procedures performed in the cardiovascular setting and who is assigned to the work. Given the enormous amount of revenue generated by this service line, you can be sure the Recovery Audit Contractors are paying attention! Highlights:

• A review of the risk factors leading to inappropriate charge capture and noncompliance, including multiple code sets, confusion over complicated coding and billing rules, and technical and nursing staff who lack the necessary skill sets
• Why the chargemaster approach used by many hospitals is inherently flawed when it comes to coding for peripheral vascular procedures
• Steps to consider in updating your charge capture processes and personnel, including the assignment of a dedicated coder
• Making sense of the rules equipping your facility to realize the full, appropriate payment for these high-cost, high-risk procedures

About our presenter
This MedLearn webcast is presented by Bernie Van Someren, BS, RT(R), CIRCC, a MedLearn senior healthcare consultant. His responsibilities include conducting CPT and chargemaster assessments covering cardiology, cardiovascular, electrophysiology (EP), radiology and interventional radiology (IR); reviewing regulatory agency compliance; evaluating administrative policies and procedures; and assisting in the development of compliance programs. In addition, Mr. Van Someren conducts IR and cardiology/cardiovascular educational training seminars. He a contributing author to numerous MedLearn books relating to coding and billing for radiology, EP and cardiology procedures. His previous experience includes work as a special procedure and cardiac cath technologist; managing a four-suite angiographic and cardiac cath lab program; and directing imaging services at two community hospitals.

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