Podiatry - Articles

Stay out of Trouble — Understand the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
October 7th, 2020 - Wyn Staheli, Director of Research
To assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries, CMS created the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program; a Medicaid benefit which pays for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copays for any Medicare-covered items and services for Medicare Part A, Part B, and Medicare Advantage (Part C). Providers/suppliers are prohibited from billing premiums and cost sharing to Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in QMB.
Are NCCI Edits Just for Medicare?
July 14th, 2020 - Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS
The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits were developed by CMS to help promote proper coding and control improper coding that leads to incorrect payments with part B claims. It is important to understand that NCCI edits do not include every possible code combination or every type of un-bundling combination. With that ...
Hypertension ICD-10-CM Coding Table, Guidelines, and Tips
April 16th, 2020 - Wyn Staheli, Director of Research & Aimee Wilcox, Director of Content
Coding hypertension properly requires knowing all the guidelines. This article summarizes how hypertension is coded using ICD-10-CM and includes tips, definitions and a very helpful coding table summarizing your options.
CMS-Coverage for Therapeutic Shoes for Individuals with Diabetes
March 31st, 2020 - Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS
Therapeutic shoes and inserts can play a vital role in a diabetic patient's health. Medicare may cover one pair every year and three pairs of custom inserts each calendar year if the patient qualifies and everything is handled correctly.  Medicare Benefit Policy Manual explains what is needed for a person with diabetes to ...
The difference between Jones and Proximal Diaphyseal Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal (2018-10-23)
March 5th, 2020 - Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS
Distinguishing the difference between Jones and Proximal Diaphyseal Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal can be complicated, here are some examples from PubMed;  A Jones fracture currently is defined as an acute fracture of the fifth metatarsal at the junction between the proximal diaphysis and metaphysis of the fifth metatarsal without distal extension beyond the fourth to fifth intermetatarsal articulation. Tuberosity avulsion fracture (also known as pseudo-Jones fracture or dancer's fracture) A proximal diaphyseal fifth ...
Federal Workers Compensation Information
October 1st, 2019 - Wyn Staheli, Director of Research
When federal employees sustain work-related injuries, it does not go through state workers compensation insurance. You must be an enrolled provider to provide services or supplies. The following are some recommended links for additional information about this program. Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) website Division of Federal Employees' Compensation (DFEC) provider ...
Medical ID Theft
August 16th, 2019 - Namas
Medical ID Theft "So, do you guys think you can do something with that?" John asked angrily at our first meeting with him in August 2017 as he slammed a stack of medical bills, EOBs and collection letters - three inches high - down in front of my partner and I. ...
The OIG Work Plan: What Is It and Why Should I Care?
August 9th, 2019 - Namas
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) founded its Office of Inspector General (OIG) in 1976 and tasked it with the responsibility to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicare, Medicaid, and the other HHS programs. With approximately 1,600 employees, HHS OIG is the largest inspector general's office within ...
5 Ways to Minimize HIPAA Liabilities
July 12th, 2019 - BC Advantage
Last year was historic for HIPAA enforcement. The HHS Office of Civil Rights collected a record $23.5 million in settlements and judgments against providers guilty of HIPAA violations. To avoid becoming part of that unwanted statistic, it’s important to pay extra close attention to five key areas of HIPAA vulnerability. Take ...
RT and LT Modifier Usage Change (effective 2019-03-01)
May 21st, 2019 - Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS
According to Noridian Medicare, there are new changes required when reporting the RT and LT modifier(s). In the past, it was appropriate to bill the RT and LT modifier on the same line when it was required for certain HCPCS codes. Noridian released a publication stating claims reported with RT/LT on the same ...
OIG Announces - New Review For Medicare Part B Payments for Podiatry and Ancillary Services
April 23rd, 2019 - Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS
Due to prior OIG work identifying inappropriate payments for podiatrists and ancillary services, the OIG announced in Feb 2019 they will begin a new review starting in 2020.  The OIG stated they will review Medicare Part B payments to determine if medical necessity is supported in accordance with Medicare requirements.   Part of the ...
Podiatrist Billing for Physical Therapy
March 7th, 2019 - Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS
It is not uncommon for a Podiatrist to offer Physical therapy as an ancillary service to help promote healing and convenience for their patients. If this is a part of your practice be sure you are aware of the rules and policies from your local MAC carrier and your payer policies on ...
CMS Proposed New E/M Codes for Podiatry
July 16th, 2018 - Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS
According to CMS changes are coming for E/M codes.  A recent proposal from CMS stated: "The E/M visit code set is outdated and needs to be revised and revalued." Since podiatry tends to furnish a lower level of E/M visits, CMS is proposing new G-codes to report E/M office/outpatient visits. The proposed ...
Q/A: Coding for Lesion Removal and Repair
June 5th, 2018 - Chris Woolstenhulme QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS
The CPT book does not indicate repairs, measuring .5 cm and less, during lesion removal. Does this mean that...
CMS Changes Definitions for Therapeutic Shoe Inserts
February 1st, 2018 - Wyn Staheli, Director of Research
CMS recently revised their definitions for custom fabricated and therapeutic inserts in order to meet current technology standards. Healthcare providers need to be sure to review the revisions in order to appropriately bill Medicare for inserts. For example, for custom fabricated, molded-to-patient, they have added the following: iii. For inserts used with ...
Q/A: Physical Exam for Military (Specifically Feet)
November 8th, 2017 - Codepedia
Q: We had a patient come to our podiatry clinic to get a physical for her feet to qualify for ROTC activities. They came back clear of any deformities, defects, etc. Our scribes listed this visit diagnosis as Z00.00 (Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings) which seems correct ...
Modifiers: Reporting Wound Dressings
April 26th, 2017 - Chris Woolstenhulme, CPC, CMRS
When reporting dressings for wounds, it is important to indicate if the dressing is the primary or secondary dressing as well the number of wounds the dressing will be used for. Primary Dressing: May be therapeutic or protective coverings applied to wounds either on the skin or caused by an opening ...

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