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How to select office music for your practice

7 Best Practices to Use Office Music to Boost Patient Retention

A poor sound experience in your waiting room can cost you big time! Patient complaints for inappropriate office music or even no music decrease patient volume and patient retention rates. But you can establish a soothing environment from the moment a patient steps in your door. Put the following best practices into use so you […]
Published Date: December 2, 2019
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99051 CPT code after hours care

QA: What Time Counts for After Hours 99050, 99051 CPT Code?

QUESTION: What is considered after hours for 99050 and 99051 CPT codes? Our office has two physicians who work Mon-Thurs 8-4:30 and a nurse practitioner who works Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri 8-4:30 and Sat 8-noon. Limited staff is here in the evening from 4:30-6 Mon-Fri and on Sat to assist her. When patients call after 4:30 […]
Published Date: November 28, 2019
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Transitional care management services

2020 CMS Boosts Transitional Care Management Pay, Removes Edits

When you’re helping patients successfully transition from the hospital, SNF, or rehab, you can capture your non face-to-face services care coordination with Transitional Care Management codes. To encourage you to use these codes more often, CMS 2020 is making them more lucrative and less burdensome. Hospital re-admissions, deaths, and healthcare costs are all decreased with […]
Published Date: November 27, 2019
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MIPS Virtual Group

Boost Bonus Pay by Joining MIPS Virtual Group

You might be able to boost your future MIPS bonus score by forming a MIPS virtual group, but you have only until Dec 31 to do so. Not sure what this option is and if it’s right for you? Now’s the time to get your ducks in a row and decide if this option will […]
Published Date: November 26, 2019
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HIPAA Violations Settlement

3 Tips Avoid $3M HIPAA Violations Settlement for Unencrypted Device

The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has agreed to pay $3 million for a potential HIPAA violations settlement. Master three takeaways so your practice doesn’t land on the same costly path. URMC in New York State which includes healthcare components such as the School of Medicine and Dentistry and Strong Memorial Hospital filed breach […]
Published Date: November 22, 2019
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Chronic Care Management

4 Ways CMS 2020 Final Rule Eases Chronic Care Management Billing

With COVID-19 delaying many patients care, your chronic care patients need more care now than ever. New rules mean that it’s gotten easier to get paid for chronic care management — but only if you’re up to date on the numerous changes and requirements that CMS has recently put in place. Reduced documentation requirements, new […]
Published Date: November 21, 2019
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Medicare ABN

4 Medicare ABN Steps to Promote Payment, Prevent Penalties

To secure payments and prevent audits, you must have your patients sign the correct version of the Medicare ABN form. Don’t risk fines and face write-offs by submitting the wrong form — educate yourself on when a Medicare ABN is mandatory or voluntary to protect your practice against unpaid claims. What is a Medicare ABN? […]
Published Date: November 19, 2019
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HIPAA Violations

Practice QA: Derail HIPAA Violations When Leaving Patient Messages

QUESTION: I’m trying to help staff avoid HIPAA violations when leaving patient messages. What should and shouldn’t you say when leaving voice messages for patients?   – Anonymous, Chicago, IL   How to Avoid HIPAA Violations When Leaving Messages ANSWER: To avoid HIPAA violations, first, it’s important that you have a signed consent form on file […]
Published Date: November 15, 2019
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Chronic Care Management

Check 5 Capabilities to Bill Chronic Care Management

Update Notice: This information was updated for accuracy on May 19, 2021. This update reflects the 2021 CPT code changes for Chronic Care Management, specifically the replacement of code G2058 with code 99439. You’ll find this update in the “Facilitate Transitions of Care – Chronic Care Management Options” section below. Whether it’s diabetes, arthritis, or […]
Published Date: November 13, 2019
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2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: TCM Expands, E/M Confirmed

If you don’t have time to comb through the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, you’re not alone. Most physicians and staff are simply too pressed for time to figure out exactly what parts of the rule are relevant to their practice and specialty. If that’s the case — don’t worry. We’ve sussed out […]
Published Date: November 8, 2019
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