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HealthInsurance Comprehensive

BILLING CODING REIMBURSEMENT

3rdEdition

Vines Braceland Rollins Miller

330 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10013

Deborah Vines, cham, crcr Ann Braceland, ncics

Elizabeth Stager Rollins, ncics Susan Miller, ncics

Comprehensive Health Insurance

Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement

Third Edition

Vice President, Health Science and TED: Julie Levin Alexander Director of Portfolio Management: Marlene McHugh Pratt Development Editor: Joan Gill Portfolio Management Assistant: Emily Edling Vice President, Content Production and Digital Studio: Paul DeLuca Managing Producer, Health Science: Melissa Bashe Content Producer: Faye Gemmellaro Project Monitor: Meghan DeMaio Operations Specialist: Mary Ann Gloriande Creative Director: Blair Brown Creative Digital Lead: Mary Siener Managing Producer, Digital Studio, Health Science: Amy Peltier Digital Studio Producer, REVEL and e-text 2.0: Jeff Henn

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Credits and acknowledgments for content borrowed from other sources and reproduced, with permission, appear at the end of this textbook.

Copyright © 2018, 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permission(s) to use material from this work, please submit a written request to Pearson Education, Inc., Permissions Department, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 or you may fax your request to 201-236-3290.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Vines, Deborah, author. | Braceland, Ann, author. | Rollins, Elizabeth (NCICS) author. | Miller, Susan (Susan R.), author. Title: Comprehensive health insurance : billing, coding, and reimbursement / Deborah Vines, Ann Braceland, Elizabeth Rollins, Susan Miller. Description: Third edition. | Boston : Pearson, [2017] | Preceded by: Comprehensive health insurance / Deborah Vines ... [et al.]. 2nd ed. 2013. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017001573| ISBN 013445877X (pbk.) | ISBN 9780134458779 (pbk.) Subjects: | MESH: Forms and Records Control—methods | Insurance, Health, Reimbursement | Insurance Claim Reporting | Patient Credit and Collection—methods Classification: LCC R728.5 | NLM W 80 | DDC 368.38/2—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017001573

1 17

ISBN-10: 0-13-445877-X ISBN-13: 978-0-13-445877-9

https://lccn.loc.gov/2017001573

iii

I have had the privilege watching students of all ages dedicate time and effort to train and seek employment in the ever-changing healthcare industry. It brings great gratifica- tion to watch students complete their training, find employment, and be proud of their accomplishments. I dedicate this book to my students to express my gratitude in allow- ing me to share in their successes. I have benefited professionally and personally from their feedback and collaboration on the content of this textbook. Thank you.

—Deborah Vines

To My Family and Students With special gratitude to the best caregiver, friend, and the love of my life—Norbs. And my blessings for Lisa, Robert and Chris, each of whom have a special place in

my heart.

—Ann B. Braceland

I can’t think of a better field to work in than the healthcare field. Yes, things are chang- ing constantly and there is always more to learn. There is no stagnation. This textbook gives a foundation for learning, and the students whom we have taught and who have used it have given us direction with their questions and insight. We could not have writ- ten this without them. I, too, dedicate this to all students, past and present, young or old, career changers or just starting out. Believe in yourself. You can do it!

I with to thank my fellow authors, Deborah, Ann, and Susan, who have continued to make this is a great experience.

And of course, a huge thank you to my husband and my entire family for their never-ending faith and support.

—Elizabeth Stager Rollins

To my children, Abram, Aleisha and Aaron Their love and support assisted me through writing, and completing the third edi-

tion of this book.

—Susan Miller

Dedication

Section II The Relationship between the Patient, Provider, and Carrier 21

Chapter 2 Understanding Managed Care: Insurance Plans 24 The History of Healthcare in America 26 Healthcare Reform 28 Managing and Controlling Healthcare Costs 29

Discounted Fees for Services 30 Medically Necessary Patient Care 32 Care Rendered by Appropriate Provider 32 Appropriate Medical Care in Least Restrictive

Setting 33

Withholding Providers’ Funds 33

Types of Managed Care Organizations 34 Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) 34 Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) 36 Point-of-Service (POS) Options 36 Exclusive Provider Organization 37 Criticism of MCOs 37

Integrated Healthcare Delivery Systems 39 Independent Physician Association 40 Physician-Hospital Organization 40 Self-Insured Plan 40

Contents

Section I A Career in Healthcare 1

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 2 Employment Demand 4 Facilities 4

Physician’s Practice 4 Multispecialty Clinic 5 Hospital 5 Centralized Billing Office 5

Job Titles and Responsibilities 6 Medical Office Assistant 6 Medical Biller 6 Payment Poster 7 Medical Collector 7 Refund Specialist 7 Insurance Verification Representative 7 Admitting Clerk or Front Desk Representative 8

Certifications 8 Medical Coder 10

Privacy Compliance Officer 11

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) 11

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) 12 Health Information Clerk 12 Medical and Health Services Manager 12

Listing of Certifications 12 Medical Office Assistant Certifications 12 Medical Billing Certifications 13 Medical Coding Certifications 13 Medical Records Certification 14

Professional Memberships 14 Chapter Summary 15 Chapter Review 15 Resources 18

Preface xii About the Authors xv Acknowledgments xvi

Contents v

Insurance Plans 41 Commercial Health Insurance 41

Types of Insurance Coverage 42 Indemnity Plan/Fee for Service 42 Hospital Insurance 42 Hospital Indemnity Insurance 42 Medical Insurance 42 Surgical Insurance 43 Outpatient Insurance 43 Major Medical Insurance 43 Special Risk Insurance 43 Catastrophic Health Insurance 43 Short-Term Health Insurance 43 COBRA Insurance 43 Long-Term Care Insurance 44 Supplemental Insurance 44

Health Savings Accounts 44 HSA 44 HRA 45 FSA 45 Affordable Care Act 45 The Provider’s View of Managed

Care 46 Patient Care 47 Facility Operations 47

Verifying Insurance Coverage 47 Collecting Insurance Payments 49

Assignment of Benefits 49

Chapter Summary 49 Chapter Review 50 Resources 53

Chapter 3 Understanding Managed Care: Medical Contracts and Ethics 54 Purpose of a Contract 56 A Legal Agreement 57 Compensation and Billing Guidelines

for a MCO 57 Covered Medical Expenses 58 Payment 59

Ethics in Managed Care 60 Changes in Healthcare Delivery 60 MCO and Provider Credentialing 62 Ethics of the Medical Office Specialist 62

Contract Definitions 64 Compensation for Services 65 Patient’s Bill of Rights 65 Concierge Contract 68 Chapter Summary 72 Chapter Review 73 Resources 75

Chapter 4 Introduction to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 76 HIPAA Privacy Rule 78

Omnibus Rule 79 Legal Request 80

Pharmacies and Durable Medical Equipment 82 Language Barrier 82 Patient Access and Corrections 84

Transactions and Code Set Rule 84 Uniform Code Sets 85 Security Rule 85

Electronic Medical Record 85 Electronic Health Record 85

Unique Identifiers Rule 87 National Provider Identifier 88

HIPAA Enforcement Rule 88 Civil Penalties 88 Federal Criminal Penalties 88

Hitech Act 88 Meaningful Use 89

Privacy and Security Protection 91 Healthcare Reform 91 Chapter Summary 92 Chapter Review 92 Resources 95

vi Contents

Section III Medical Coding 97

Chapter 5 ICD-10-CM Medical Coding 100 Definition of Diagnosis Coding 102 ICD-10-CM Guidelines 103 The Alphabetic Index 104 Neoplasm Table 104 Table of Drugs and Chemicals 104 External Causes Index 105 Structure of ICD-10-CM 105 Hyphen Usage (-) 106 √ Checkmark 106 The Tabular List 106 Placeholder 108 Laterality 108

Coding Condition 110 Body Mass Index 110 Correct Coding Steps 110 Abbreviations 114 Surgical Coding 118 Coding Late Effects 119 Acute and Chronic Conditions 120 Combination Codes: Multiple Coding 120

Chapter Summary 122 ICD-10-PCS 122 Chapter Review 124 Resources 127

Chapter 6 Introduction to CPT® and Place of Service Coding 128 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 130 CPT Categories 131

CPT Category I 131 CPT Category II 132 CPT Category III 132

CPT Nomenclature 133 Symbols 134 Guidelines 134

CPT Modifiers 134 Evaluation and Management Modifiers 135

Coding to the Place of Service 136 Other Services Provided in the E/M Section 137

Office versus Hospital Services 137 Emergency Department Services 138 Preventive Medicine Services 138

Type of Patient 138 New Patient 138 Established Patient 138 Referral 139 Consultation 139

Level of E/M Service 139 Extent of Patient’s History 141 Extent of Examination 143 Complexity of Medical Decision Making 144 Additional Components 145 Assigning the Code 148

Chapter Summary 148 Chapter Review 148 Resources 151

Chapter 7 Coding Procedures and Services 152 Organization of the CPT Index 154

Instructions for Using the CPT Index 155 Code Range 155

Formatting and Cross-References 155 Formatting 155 Cross-references 157

Section Guidelines 157 Modifiers 158 Add-on Codes (+) 163 Coding Steps 164

Coding for Anesthesia 164

Surgical Coding 166 Separate Procedure 169 Surgical Package or Global Surgery Concept 170 Supplies and Services 172 Radiology Codes 172 Pathology and Laboratory Codes 174 Medicine Codes 175

Contents vii

Chapter Summary 176 Chapter Review 176 Resources 181

Chapter 8 HCPCS and Coding Compliance 182 History of HCPCS 184 HCPCS Level of Codes 185

Level I: CPT Codes 185 Level II: HCPCS National Codes 185

HCPCS Modifiers 185 Use of the GA Modifier 186

HCPCS Index 186 Coding Compliance 188 Code Linkage 188 Billing CPT Codes 189

Fraudulent Claims 189 Physician Self-Referral (Stark Law) 190 Government Investigations and Advice 194 Errors Relating to Code Linkage and Medical

Necessity 195 Errors Relating to the Coding Process 196 Errors Relating to the Billing Process 196

National Correct Coding Initiative 196 Fraudulent Actions 198 Federal Compliance 198

How to Be Compliant 198

Benefits of a Compliance Program 199 Ethics for the Medical Coder 199

Chapter Summary 200 Chapter Review 200 Resources 203

Chapter 9 Auditing 204 Purpose of an Audit 206 Types of Audits 207

External Audit 207 Internal Audit 208 Accreditation Audits 208

Private Payer Regulations 209 Medical Necessity for E/M Services 209 Audit Tool 212 Key Elements of Service 212

History 213 Examination 216 Medical Decision Making 219

Tips for Preventing Coding Errors with Specific E/M Codes 227

Chapter Summary 229 Chapter Review 229 Resources 231

Section IV Medical Claims 233

Chapter 10 Physician Medical Billing 236 Conversion to Electronic Health Records 238 Patient Information 238 Superbills 241 Types of Insurance Claims: Paper versus

Electronic 244 Optical Character Recognition 248 CMS-1500 Provider Billing Claim Form 248 Completing the CMS-1500 Claim Form 250

Form Locators for the CMS-1500 Form 252

Physicians’ Identification Numbers 263 Practice Exercises 264

Common Reasons for Delayed or Rejected CMS-1500 Claim Forms 280

HIPAA Compliance Alert 284 Filing Secondary Claims 284

Determining Primary Coverage 285 Practice Exercises 286

Chapter Summary 299 Chapter Review 299 Resources 302

viii Contents

Chapter 11 Hospital Medical Billing 304 Inpatient Billing Process 306 Charge Description Master 307 Types of Payers 308 Coding and Reimbursement Methods 308 Diagnosis Related Group System 309

Cost Outliers 310

UB-04 Hospital Billing Claim Form 312 Instructions for Completing the UB-04

Claim Form 315 Codes for Use on the UB-04 Claim Form 322

Type of Bill Codes (Form Locator 4) 322 Sex Codes (Form Locator 11) 324

Admission/Discharge Hour Codes (Form Locators 13 and 16) 324

Admission Type Codes (Form Locator 14) 324 Source of Admission (Form Locator 15) 325 Discharge Status Codes (Form Locator 17) 325 Condition Codes (Form Locators 18–28) 326 Occurrence Code Examples (Form

Locators 31–34) 326 Value Codes (Form Locators 39–41) 328 Revenue Codes (Form Locator 42) 328 Patient Relationship (Form Locator 59) 330 Practice Exercises 330

Chapter Summary 338 Chapter Review 339 Resources 342

Section V Government Medical Billing 343

Chapter 12 Medicare Medical Billing 346 Medicare History 348

Medicare Administration 348

Medicare Part A Coverage and Eligibility Requirements 350

Inpatient Hospital Care 351 Skilled Nursing Facility 351 Home Healthcare 351 Hospice Care 351 Blood 352 Organ Transplants 352 Inpatient Benefit Days 352

Medicare Part B Coverage and Eligibility Requirements 354

Telemedicine 354 Medicare Part C 356 Medicare Part D 356 Services Not Covered by Medicare

Parts A and B 357 Medigap, Medicaid, and Supplemental

Insurance 358 Requirements for Medical Necessity 359 Medicare Coverage Plans 359

Fee-for-Service: The Original Medicare Plan 359 Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare Part C 359

Value-Based Payment Modifier Program 360

Medicare Providers 360 Part A Providers 360 Part B Providers 360 Participating versus Nonparticipating Medicare

Part B Providers 361

Limiting Charge 362 Patient’s Financial Responsibility 362 Determining the Medicare Fee and Limiting

Charge 362

Patient Registration 366 Copying the Medicare Card 366 Copying the Driver’s License 367 Obtaining Patient Signatures 367 Determining Primary and Secondary Payers 367 Plans Primary to Medicare 368 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation

Act of 1985 369 People with Disabilities 369 People with End-Stage Renal Disease 369 Workers’ Compensation 369 Automobile, No-Fault, and Liability Insurance 369 Veteran Benefits 369 Medicare Coordination 369 Medicare as the Secondary Payer 370 Conditional Payment 370

Medicare Documents 371 Medicare Development Letter 371 Medicare Insurance Billing Requirements 372 Completing Medicare Part B Claims 372

Contents ix

Filing Guidelines 374 Local Coverage Determination 374

Medicare Remittance Notice 374 Medicare Fraud and Abuse 376

Medicare Fraud 376 Medicare Abuse 377 Protecting Against Medicare Fraud and Abuse 378

Chapter Summary 380 Chapter Review 381 Resources 383

Chapter 13 Medicaid Medical Billing 384 Medicaid Guidelines 387 Eligibility Groups 387

Categorically Needy 387 Medically Needy 388 Special Groups 389

Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) 389

Scope of Medicaid Services 390 PACE 391

Amount and Duration of Medicaid Services 391 Payment for Medicaid Services 392 Medicaid Growth Trends 393

Affordable Care Act Projections 394

The Medicaid–Medicare Relationship (Medi-Medi) 394

Medicaid Managed Care 395 Medicaid Verification 395 Medicaid Claims Filing 396

Time Limits for Submitting Claims 396

Appeal Time Limits 396 Claims with Incomplete Information and

Zero Paid Claims 397 Newborn Claim Hints 397

Completing the CMS-1500 Form for Medicaid (Primary) 397

Practice Exercises 398

Chapter Summary 407 Chapter Review 407 Resources 411

Chapter 14 TRICARE Medical Billing 412 TRICARE 414

TRICARE Eligibility 414 Patient’s Financial Responsibilities 415 Timely Filing 415 Penalties and Interest Charges 415 Authorized Providers 415 Preauthorization 416

TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra 417 TRICARE Prime 418 TRICARE Prime Remote 418 TRICARE Senior Prime/TRICARE for Life 420

TRICARE Reform 420

CHAMPVA 420 Submitting Claims to TRICARE 421 Completing the CMS-1500 Form for

TRICARE (PRIMARY) 422 Confidential and Sensitive Information 424 Chapter Summary 425 Chapter Review 425 Resources 427

Section VI Accounts Receivable 429

Chapter 15 Explanation of Benefits and Payment Adjudication 432 Steps for Filing a Medical Claim 434 Claims Process 437 Determining the Fees 439

Charge-Based Fee Structure 439 Resource-Based Fee Structures 439

History of the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale 439

The RBRVS System 440 The Medicare Conversion Factor 441 Determining the Medicare Fee 441 Allowed Charges 443 Payers’ Policies 444

x Contents

Capitation 449 Value-based Reimbursement 450 Calculations of Patient Charges 450

Deductible 450 Copayments 451 Coinsurance 451 Excluded Services 451

Balance Billing 453 Processing an Explanation of Benefits 453

Information on an EOB/ERA 454

Reviewing Claims Information 463 Adjustments to Patient Accounts 464

Processing Reimbursement Information 464 Confirming Amount Paid, Making Adjustments,

and Determining Amount Due from Patient 464

Methods of Receiving Funds 478 Check by Mail 478 Electronic Funds Transfer 478 Lockbox Services 478

Chapter Summary 479 Chapter Review 479 Resources 483

Chapter 16 Refunds, Follow-Up, and Appeals 484 Electronically Filing Claims 486 Claims Rejection Follow-Up 486 Rebilling 487 Denied or Delayed Payments 488 Answering Patients’ Questions about Claims 489

Claim Rejection Appeal 490 Peer Review 492 State Insurance Commissioner 492 Carrier Audits 494 Documentation 494

Documentation Guidelines 494 SOAP Record-Keeping Format 495

Necessity of Appeals 495 Registering a Formal Appeal 496 The Appeals Process 496

Reason Codes That Require a Formal Appeal 498

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 498

Waiting Period for an ERISA Claim 499 Appeal to ERISA 499

Medicare Appeals 499 Redetermination 499 Second Level of Appeal 500 Third Level of Appeal and Beyond 500

Appeal Letters 500 Closing Words 501

Appeals and Customer Service 503 Appeals Require Perseverance and Attitude 505 Do Not Settle for “Denial Upheld” 505

Refund Guidelines 506 Avoid Excessive Overpayments 508 Guidelines for Insurance Overpayments and

Refund Requests 508 Practice Exercises 509

Chapter Summary 514 Chapter Review 514 Resources 517

Section VII Injured Employee Medical Claims 519

Chapter 17 Workers’ Compensation 522 History of Workers’ Compensation 524 Federal Workers’ Compensation Programs 525 State Workers’ Compensation Plans 525 Overview of Covered Injuries, Illnesses,

and Benefits 526 Occupational Diseases and Illnesses 527 Work-Related Injury Classifications 527

Injured Worker Responsibilities and Rights 528 Treating Doctor’s Responsibilities 529

Selecting a Designated Doctor and Scheduling an Appointment 530

Communicating with the Designated Doctor 530 What the Designated Doctor Will Do 531 Disputing the Designated Doctor’s Findings 531

Disputing Maximum Medical Improvement or Impairment Rating 531

Contents xi

Ombudsmen 531 Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits 533

Income Benefits 534 Death and Burial Benefits 535

Eligible Beneficiaries 535 Benefits and Compensation Termination 535

Types of Government Disability Policies 536

Verifying Insurance Benefits 537 Preauthorization 537

Requirements for the Preauthorization Request 537

Filing Insurance Claims 538 Completing the CMS-1500 for Workers’

Compensation Claims 538 Independent Review Organizations 539

How to Obtain an Independent Review 541 The IRO Decision 541

Medical Records 541 Fraud 542

Penalties 543 Medical Provider Fraud 543

Calculating Reimbursements 544

Chapter Summary 548 Chapter Review 549 Resources 551

Appendix A Completing the CMS-1500 Form for Physician Outpatient Billing 553

Appendix B Completing the CMS-1500 Form for Physician Outpatient Billing Plus Determining the Correct Diagnostic and Procedure Codes 616

Appendix C Completing the UB-04 Form for Hospital Billing 658

Appendix D Medical Forms 700 Appendix E Acronyms and Abbreviations 735 Appendix F Medical Terminology Word Parts 737

Glossary 750

Credits 763

Index 765

Preface

This textbook was written to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a variety of registration (front end revenue cycle management), billing (back end revenue cycle management), and coding positions in the healthcare field. Many textbooks have been written on this subject; however, daily feedback from students has allowed the author to develop the material in this text relevant to what a medical office specialist actu- ally experiences. The student will learn the process of billing and how to properly manage the account from the initial encounter with the patient through the resolution of the claim. In addition to submitting claims to insurance carriers, the process of billing may include reviewing medical records, verifying patient benefits, estimating patient’s finan- cial responsibility, requesting authorization, submitting a primary and/or secondary claim, posting payments, and appealing the insurance carrier’s decision.

This book has been written so that it is easy to read and comprehend. It is designed for students who have not previously worked in the medical field as well as students who have worked in the field but have only been exposed to certain aspects of the reg- istration and billing process. An ideal employee at a healthcare facility has a clear under- standing of how each element in the process affects all other steps, which is the underlying concept of this textbook. Practice exercises presented throughout the text allow students to test their knowledge of the concepts presented. This hands-on practice supplements lecture content and allows for better understanding of the skills presented.

The Development of This Text This textbook originated as a result of healthcare students and instructors expressing their concern about the complexity and flow of textbooks being used in the classroom. Students routinely expressed dismay that the required textbooks did not provide a clear understanding of the order of the steps involved in the life of the account, from the time a patient is scheduled for an appointment to the resolution of the patient’s account. As a result, workbooks were developed for each course in addition to the required read- ing material. The workbooks ultimately became the chapters in this textbook. Students also stated that the required reading in their textbooks was outdated. Therefore, this textbook has a MyHealthProfessionsLab and a MyHealthProfessionsKit that will provide the student and instructor with updated information and URLs where they can review current changes in the healthcare industry.

Organization of the Text A great deal of time has been spent researching the material in this text in order to address the most frequently asked student questions and to clearly illustrate the key concepts of the medical billing and coding processes. The textbook provides a unique presentation of content, exercises, examples, and professional tips within each chapter.xii

Preface xiii

Features of the Text The following special features appear in this text:

Chapter Objectives: Each chapter begins with a list of key learning objectives that students should master on completion of the chapter.

Key Terms: A list of key terms appears at the beginning of each chapter, and the terms are highlighted where they are first introduced in the text. A comprehen- sive glossary is provided at the end of the text.

Case Studies with Critical Thinking Questions: A thought-provoking case study is presented at the beginning of each chapter along with critical thinking ques- tions. Students must rely on the content in the text and their own critical think- ing skills to answer the questions.

Introduction: Each chapter includes introductory material that explains to read- ers what they will encounter within the chapter.

Examples: Numerous examples are provided throughout the text to stress the correct use of the billing and coding guidelines that are discussed.

Professional Tips: Professional Tips appear throughout the text and provide addi- tional information related to billing and coding processes that the student might use on the job.

Practice Exercises: Practice Exercises appear in most of the chapters to allow for student practice and mastery of skills.

Chapter Summary: The chapter summary serves as a review of the chapter content. Chapter Review: End-of-chapter questions that help reinforce learning are pro-

vided in true/false, multiple-choice, and completion formats. The review ques- tions measure the students’ understanding of the material presented in the chapter. These tools are available for use by the student or by the instructor as an outcomes assessment.

For Additional Practice: These additional case studies and billing and coding exercises allow for additional student practice and mastery of skills.

Resources: This listing provides additional information (organization contact information, websites, etc.) related to the chapter content.

New to This Edition The healthcare industry is always a whirlwind of change, prompting government, insur- ance organizations, and healthcare providers to look for ways to make healthcare afford- able. The Affordable Care Act is the most recent government sponsored regulation that is discussed in the text.

In Chapter 13, changes in Medicaid are discussed that were implemented by the Affordable Care Act, allowing states to opt in or opt out of the Medicaid expansion pro- gram. This will help drive consolidation, as it will add millions of new individuals and billions in new premiums to the Medicaid market.

Concierge Medicine and Telemedicine are new methods of healthcare treatment and cost-saving programs.

ICD-10 finally was implemented after many delays. All coding information and exercises in this text use 2017 codes. Chapter 5 addresses the new way to code the International Classification of Diseases using 4–7 alpha characters for more specificity of the patient’s health problem.

The new CMS-1500 form is reviewed in detail and all related exercises and exam- ples include the (02-2012) form.

Technology advances and consumer demands have increased automation of health- care, such as electronic health records (EHR), patient portals, and real time eligibility verification and claim submission.

■■ New Figures and Tables have been added to this third edition to illustrate key concepts.

■■ Content has been updated throughout the text to reflect current information on healthcare changes, trends, and the movement of healthcare in the future.

■ Ten trends for the next decade are evident: 1. more patients 2. more technology 3. more information 4. the patient as the ultimate consumer 5. development of a different delivery model 6. innovation driven by competition 7. increasing costs 8. increasing numbers of uninsured 9. less pay for providers 10. the continued need for a new healthcare system.

■■ The 2017 code sets are used throughout the text. ■■ ICD-9 has been eliminated. ■■ ICD-10 has been added. ■■ The previous chapter about completing manual claims has been eliminated, as electronic medical claims are standard practice in today’s medical office.

The Learning Package The Student Package

■■ Textbook ■■ MyHealthProfessionsLab: Designed to reach students in a personal way. Engaging learning and practice opportunities lead to assessments that create a personalized study plan.

■■ Student Workbook: The Student Workbook contains key terms, chapter objec- tives, chapter outlines, critical thinking questions, practice exercises, review questions, and end-of-workbook tests/case study–type problems that test stu- dent knowledge of the key concepts presented in the core textbook.

The Instructional Package ■■ Instructor’s Resource Manual: The Instructor’s Resource Manual contains chap- ter learning objectives; lesson plans for each learning objective with a custom- izable section for instructor notes, teaching tips, concepts for lecture; PowerPoint lecture slides that correspond to each concept for lecture; and suggestions for classroom activities.

■■ MyTest: This electronic test generator contains more than 1,500 test questions. ■■ PowerPoint Slides: The slides can be used during daily lectures.

xiv Preface

Deborah Vines has worked extensively for more than 30 years in the healthcare industry as a practice administrator and manager in physical therapy, dermatopathology, and pediatrics. She has also held senior leadership positions in the hospital setting. As director of operations for a national healthcare staffing corporation, she has traveled across the United States, working directly with physicians and medical human resources personnel to secure jobs for individuals in the medical billing, coding, and collection fields. One of Ms. Vines’s notable achievements is that in one fiscal year, through men- toring and training, she assisted 300 recruits to find employment in the medical billing industry. This achievement led her to opening Allied Career Center in Dallas, Texas, a successful vocational school specializing in medical office specialist training.

Ann Braceland has been working in the medical field since graduating from Gwynedd Mercy College with an associate’s degree in nursing science. As a practice manager, her extensive work in the field of managed care and medical billing and cod- ing have allowed her to research and find means to inform others through her teaching of the changes and challenges that arise in the medical field. Ann Braceland has estab- lished and managed satellite offices in physical and occupational medicine. She is a Medicare representative with a vast spectrum of knowledge that she uses to train staff and physicians in compliance coding and billing. As director of training for the instruc- tors of Allied Career Center in Dallas, Texas, her presentation of the material for stu- dents led to the publication of this book. Ann Braceland is a National Certified Insurance and Coding Specialist.

Elizabeth Rollins has been in the medical billing and coding industry for 30 years, handling coding, insurance and patient billing, medical appeals, physician appeals, phy- sician credentialing, and new employee training. She was the Vice President of Allied Career Center, where she also taught for seven years. She has been instrumental in plac- ing hundreds of people into medical field jobs.

Susan Miller has worked in the healthcare Industry for 25 years, managing and supervising medical billing processes. She has lectured in a classroom setting, providing students with knowledge and skills on medical billing and coding. Ms. Miller continues her healthcare career in medical billing, providing support to staff members on billing and coding guidelines.

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

xvi

We would like to thank our publisher, Pearson, Marlene Pratt, Faye Gemmellaro, execu- tive editor, and Joan Gill, developmental editor; and the following reviewers, who used their personal time to provide feedback for our project. Without your hard work and guidance, none of this would have been possible:

First Edition Reviewers Vanessa Armor, RHIT

Instructor Ivy Tech Community College, Michigan

City Campus, Indiana

Robin Berenson, Ed.D. Spartanburg Community College,

South Carolina

Dorothy Burney Adjunct Professor Allied Health/

Certified Coding Specialist City College, Florida

Barbara Dahl, CMA, CPC Medical Assisting Program Coordinator

and Department Chair Whatcom Community College,

Washington

Susan DeGirolamo, RMA, NCPT, NCICS Instructor

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania

Annette Derks, CPC, CHI Instructor

Canyon College, Florida

Shirley Jelmo, CMA, RMA Medical Assisting Instructor

PIMA Medical Institute, Colorado

Kathy Kneifel Instructor

Everett Community College, Washington

Tiffany Rosta, CMA Medical Instructor

Kaplan Career Institute, Pennsylvania

Lorraine M. Smith Instructor

Fresno City College, California

Teresa Williamson Medical Coding and Billing Professor

Chaffey Community College, California

Acknowledgments xvii

Second Edition Reviewers Cindy Brassingon, MS, CMA

Professor of Allied Health Quinebaug Valley Community College,

Connecticut

Linda H. Donahue, RHIT, CCS, CCSP, CPC

Assistant Professor, Health Information Technology

Delgado Community College, Louisiana

Lurrean Bentley, RMA, CMRS Instructor for Medical Assisting and

Billing/Coding Programs Remington College, Tennessee

Michelle Edwards, CPMB, CMRS, CBCS, CCP

Medical Billing and Coding Lead University of Antelope Valley, California

Sandra E. Fender Instructor Southern Crescent Technical

College, Georgia

Gail High, AA Program Coordinator, Medical Billing

and Coding Program YTI Career Institute, Pennsylvania

Deborah McGichen, BS Medical Billing and Coding Instructor

Allstate Career, Allied Health Division,

Maryland

Angela Mitchell, Master of Technical Education

Instructor Akron Institute of Herzing

University, Ohio

Julia Steff, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P Assistant Professor, Department Chair

Palm Beach State College, Florida

Nerissa Tucker, MHA, CPC Professor, Program Director Allied Health Institute, Texas

Third Edition Reviewers Lisa Mayberry

Licensed Nursing Home Administrator Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

Grace Dimarco, CBCS, RMA McCann School of Business

and Technology

Diana Wilcox, CPC, CPMA, CPC-1

Blue Cliff College

Deborah Malay-Hunt The College of Healthcare Professions

Angela Campbell, RHIA, AHIMA- approved ICD-10 CM/PCS

Trainer Northwestern College

Kiyoe Irikura, CPC, CMBS IMBC College

Rolando Russell, CPC Ultimate Medical Academy

Robert Pezillo, CPC, CPC-1, CPPM, CPB

Community College of Rhode Island

Karlene Richardson, DHA Mandl School

Bonnie Aspiazu, JD, FACHE, RHIA St. Vincent Health System

xviii

Chapter Opener Features

Chapter Objectives Each chapter opens with a list of learning objectives, which can be used to identify the material and skills the student should know upon successful completion of the chapter.

384

categorically needy Children’s Health

Insurance Program (CHIP)

Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA)

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic,

and Treatment (EPSDT)

Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP)

medically needy Medi-Medi payer of last resort restricted status spend-down program

State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Welfare Reform Bill

Key Terms

Chapter Objectives After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:

1 Understand the requirements for qualifying to receive Medicaid benefits.

2 Determine the schedule of benefits the Medicaid recipient will receive.

3 Discuss the method of verifying Medicaid benefits.

4 Submit a Medicaid claim and decipher claim status.

Chapter 13 Medicaid Medical Billing

CPT-4 codes in this chapter are from the CPT-4 2017 code set. CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. ICD-10 codes in this chapter are from the ICD-10-CM 2017 code set from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Key Terms The Key Terms section appears at the beginning of each chapter. The terms are listed in alphabetical order, and the terminology appears in boldface on first introduction in the text. All terms are defined in the comprehensive glossary that appears at the back of the book.

384

categorically needy Children’s Health

Insurance Program (CHIP)

Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA)

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic,

and Treatment (EPSDT)

Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP)

medically needy Medi-Medi payer of last resort restricted status spend-down program

State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Welfare Reform Bill

Key Terms

Chapter Objectives After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:

1 Understand the requirements for qualifying to receive Medicaid benefits.

2 Determine the schedule of benefits the Medicaid recipient will receive.

3 Discuss the method of verifying Medicaid benefits.

4 Submit a Medicaid claim and decipher claim status.

Chapter 13 Medicaid Medical Billing

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Case Study with Critical Thinking Questions Thought-provoking case studies provide scenarios that help students understand how the material presented in the chapter relates to the medical billing and coding profession. Critical thinking questions appear after each case study, and students must rely on the content in the text and their own critical thinking skills to answer the questions.

385

The office manager, Darla, had received notification from the state Medicaid program that fraudulent use of Medicaid cards was on the rise. As a result, all patients were to show a picture I.D. along with their Medicaid card. Darla had announced this new policy at the last staff meeting.

While Ginger was working as the receptionist, a patient arrived and showed her Medicaid card. Ginger explained that she needed to see a picture I.D. because of increased fraud. The patient became indignant and refused to comply because she felt she was being accused of doing something illegal. Ginger asked Darla to explain the situation to the patient.

Questions

1. Should the patient be required to comply with the new policy in order to be seen by the physician? Why?

2. Could Ginger have handled the situation differently?

3. What should Darla tell the patient in order to calm her down?

Case Study Medicaid

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Additional Features

Professional Tips Helpful billing and coding tips are inter- spersed throughout the text and provide additional information the student might use on the job.

252 Section IV Medical Claims

We now take a detailed look at how to complete a CMS-1500 claim form by reviewing how to fill out the infor- mation required for each form locator.

Form Locators for the CMS-1500 Form Form Locator 1: Type of Insurance Form locator 1 identifies what type of insurance the patient carries. The form lists five government plans: Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE/CHAMPUS, CHAMPVA, and FECA Black Lung. There

are two other options: Group Health Plan and Other. These are used depending on which type of plan the insured is enrolled.

Form Locator 1a: Insured’s I.D. Number Form locator 1a asks for the insured’s insurance I.D. number as reflected on the insur- ance card. The insured could be the patient or someone else, such as a spouse, mother, or father.

Form Locator 2: Patient’s Name In form locator 2, enter the name of the patient who received services. This information is input as full last name, first name, and middle name or initial. The spelling should match the insurance card exactly. Do not use periods within the name.

If the patient’s name is the same as the insured’s name (i.e., the patient is the insured), then it is not necessary to report the patient’s name. If the name on the card is misspelled, then the name in the computer should be misspelled until the patient provides a new card with the correct spelling.

The “Patient’s Name” is the name of the person who received the treatment or supplies.

Form Locator 3: Patient’s Date of Birth/Gender In form locator 3, enter the patient’s date of birth and gender. The date of birth is entered using the eight-digit format: MMDDYYYY. The patient’s gender is identified as either male or female.

Form Locator 4: Insured’s Name Form locator 4 asks for the name of the person who is the insured. This may or may not be the patient. If the patient is the insured, the word “Same” should be entered. The insured’s name should be entered full last name, first name, and middle name or initial. Use commas to separate the last name, first name, and middle initial. A hyphen can be used for hyphenated names. Do not use periods within the name. If Medicare is pri- mary, leave the field blank.

Form Locator 5: Patient’s Address Enter the patient’s home address and telephone number in form locator 5. This infor- mation is taken from the patient information form when the patient registers in the office. The address should include the street name and number, city, state (two-letter abbreviation), and zip code. Do not use commas, periods, or other symbols in the address. When entering a nine-digit zip code, include the hyphen. Do not use a hyphen

When completing the CMS-1500 form, the medical office specialist should always be consistent in the way he enters the required dates when com- pleting certain form locators. Providers and suppliers have the option of enter- ing either a six- or eight-digit date for- mat. Medicare and many insurance carriers will not accept claims if the date formats are not consistent. In other words, they cannot be used intermittently.

Professional Tip

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Examples Numerous examples are provided throughout the text to stress the correct billing and coding guidelines.

Chapter 16 Refunds, Follow-Up, and Appeals 497

■■ A claim is denied because accident details are not available. An E code should be used when submitting an accident claim along with a CPT code. In the case of an auto accident, the medical office specialist may also receive a request to submit a police report. If the insurance company requests the police report, the medical office specialist can usually fax it. The same applies to the opera- tive report for surgery and office notes.

■■ An insurance company might routinely deny coverage for well-person care for a patient. This can be appealed by phone also. Simply ask the insurance repre- sentative to review the policy documentation.

■■ A claim might be denied because a modifier was used in a multiple procedure that the insurance company decided to bundle. Bundling occurs when multi- ple services are performed. Every insurance company has a list that they refer to which enables them to list procedures as inclusive to another procedure, as explained in the following example.

Example A patient with a headache comes in for an office visit. While being examined, the patient asks the doctor to look at his toe as long as he is there. The doctor discov- ers an ingrown toenail and performs minor surgery. A modifier is used to establish that a distinct and separate procedure was performed. The claims examiner disre- gards the modifier and denies the office visit as global. The medical office specialist should try to get the claim reconsidered by phone, requesting that the claim be paid and stating that the reason can be backed up with documentation. The medi- cal office specialist should offer to fax the documentation.

The decision has been made to appeal the following situations. Which ones can be appealed by telephone, and which would be appealed in writing? Please use a T for a telephone appeal and a W for a written appeal.

1. Diagnosis does not match procedure. _____

2. Insurance company is requesting accident details on a 3-year-old. _____

3. Services were not authorized. _____

4. Services were not medically necessary. _____

5. Services were previously paid. _____

6. Multiple surgical procedures were lumped and paid under primary proce- dure even though modifiers were used. _____

7. Radiology charges for a precertified surgery were performed by a con- tracted provider paid as out of network. _____

8. Lab charges for an inpatient precertified stay were applied toward the out-of-network deductible. _____

Practice Exercise 16.1

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Practice Exercises Practice Exercises provide students with the opportunity to practice and master skills presented in the text.

266 Section IV Medical Claims

Now complete Practice Exercises 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, and 10.10.

Practice Exercise 10.2

Completion of CMS-1500 (Section I)

Fill out form locators 1 through 13 on the CMS-1500 form based on the information given here. To complete this exercise, copy the CMS-1500 form provided in Appendix D or download the form from MyHealthProfessionsKit or MyHealthProfessionsLab, which accompany this text.

Liz Mary Smith is a patient in the medical office where you work. This information appears on her patient information form:

Name: Liz Mary Smith Gender: Female Birth Date: July 1, 1996 Marital Status: Single Phone: 480-555-2984 Address: 4591 Explorer Drive Phoenix, AZ 12345 Responsible Person: Harry L. Smith (father) Insured’s DOB: August 5, 1950 Insured’s Gender: Male Insured’s Home Address: 5419 W. 8th Street, Apt. 306 Norman, OK 12345 Insured’s Employer Address: Vines Lumber Co. 6840 Judy Street Norman, OK 12345 Insurance Carrier: BMA P.O. Box 7459 Memphis, TN 12345 Insurance Certificate Number: 78815-080-07-000 Insurance Group Number: G123456

Treatment and progress notes in the patient medical record indicate di- agnosis of left acute otitis media ICD-10 (H66.92), on January 13, 20XX. The medical office collects only the coinsurance and waits for payment directly from the insurance carrier. Guarantor’s signature on file for charges to be paid directly to provider, FORM SIGNED January 13, 20XX.

Authorization to release medical information on file.

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Informational Tables and Forms Informational tables and forms appear throughout the text and summarize pertinent information. They provide students with visuals and comparisons to reinforce the lesson.

Chapter 10 Physician Medical Billing 251

Clear Form

CMS-1500 claim form.Figure 10.10

Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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498 Section VI Accounts Receivable

Appeals in writing may be required, as when a claim is denied as not medically necessary or the carrier has misquoted benefits. Sometimes billed procedures are missed, and it is not uncommon, even though the insurance company made the mis- take, to be asked to submit a written appeal. One very important thing to remember is that most managed care companies set deadlines for filing an appeal; therefore, the medical office specialist must know the contents of the contract with the carrier regard- ing the appeals process and deadlines.

Reason Codes That Require a Formal Appeal In Table 16.2, reasons marked with an asterisk require a formal appeal to be initiated by the practice whenever it suspects the claim was not adjudicated properly by the insur- ance plan. In addition to those occasions listed in Table 16.2, many others may require a special explanation when registering a formal appeal.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 protects the interests of participants and their beneficiaries who depend on benefits from pri- vate employee benefit plans. ERISA sets standards for administering these plans, including a requirement that financial and other information be disclosed to plan

100 Services payable at 100% DUP Duplicate (previously processed)*

19 Dependent over age 19 ELIG Pending eligibility

21 Dependent over age 21 ERR Claim processing error or adjustment

1yr Limited to one per year* EXP Experimental service not covered*

2ND COB secondary payment FUD Included in surgical package*

3yr Allowed once in 3 years* INFO Pending additional information

6MO Allowed once in 6 months* MAX Maximum benefits paid

80% Service(s) payable at 80% MED Not medically necessary*

ADD Need additional information N/C Non-covered services*

ADM Administrative adjustment NER Non-covered emergency services*

AOP Approved out-of-plan NOA No answer to inquiry

AVE Authorized number of visits exceeded* NOD No ordering doctor listed

BE Billing error* NPD Nonparticipating doctor

BOI Bill other insurance NPP Nonparticipating provider

CAP Capitated services* NREF No referral or unauthorized*

CMC Contractual maximum charge PCI Patient convenience item not covered*

COB Possible COB involved PRE Before effective date

COS Cosmetic service not covered* TNR Not related to diagnosis*

DNC Dental service not covered* UA No authorization number; do not bill patient*

Table 16.2 Reason Codes That Require a Formal Appeal

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Chapter Review Questions End-of-chapter questions are provided in true/ false, multiple-choice, and completion formats to help reinforce learning. The review questions measure the student’s understanding of the material presented in each chapter. These tools are available for use by the student or can be used by the instructor as an outcome assessment.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 15

field, and take professional courses and seminars. Professional membership is an excel- lent addition to your résumé. It shows you are involved and dedicated to your particular field. Professional associations publish journals and/or newsletters that are helpful for keeping you up to date on issues and developments in your field. When you are inter- viewing for a position, this can be invaluable information. You can read about compa- nies or individuals with whom you would like to work.

With your membership, you will often have access to member information. Con- tacting someone in your field about possible employment as a fellow member of the association may open a door. It is recommended that you join at least one professional organization, but research some beforehand to find the appropriate one for your career goals. These organizations may have a local chapter as well.

Chapter Summary

■■ Changes in the way healthcare is paid for created a demand for allied health person- nel trained in medical billing and coding.

■■ An allied health employee can find employment in a variety of medical settings. ■■ After completion of a course of study, the student is qualified for entry-level posi- tions such as admitting clerk, medical biller, insurance verification representative, and medical collector.

■■ Certification demonstrates dedication to advancement and competency.

Chapter Review

True/False Identify the statement as true (T) or false (F).

_____ 1. PFS is an abbreviation for patient financial services.

_____ 2. The medical office assistant might compile and record medical records, reports, and correspondence.

_____ 3. HIPAA is an abbreviation for Hospital Information per American Medical Association.

_____ 4. Certification is not required in most states.

_____ 5. Math skills are important when working with refunds and posting of payments.

_____ 6. Coding accuracy is very important to healthcare organizations because funding cannot be received without accurate coding.

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Chapter review Chapter Summary Each Chapter Summary is an excellent review of the chapter content.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 15

Chapter Summary

■■ Changes in the way healthcare is paid for created a demand for allied health person- nel trained in medical billing and coding.

■■ Certification demonstrates dedication to advancement and competency.

Chapter Review

True/False Identify the statement as true (T) or false (F).

_____ 1. PFS is an abbreviation for patient financial services.

_____ 2. The medical office assistant might compile and record medical records, reports, and correspondence.

_____ 3. HIPAA is an abbreviation for Hospital Information per American Medical Association.

_____ 4. Certification is not required in most states.

_____ 5. Math skills are important when working with refunds and posting of payments.

_____ 6. Coding accuracy is very important to healthcare organizations because funding cannot be received without accurate coding.

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For Additional Practice These billing and coding exercises and case scenarios provide students with additional opportunity to practice skills and reinforce concepts presented in the chapter. These tools are available for use by the student or can be used by the instructor as an outcome assessment.

Chapter 5 ICD-10-CM Medical Coding 127

Completion Complete each sentence or statement.

1. A physician’s description of the main reason for a patient’s encounter is called the diagnostic __________.

2. A(n) __________ effect remains after a patient’s acute illness or injury.

3. If a fracture is not recorded as either closed or open, it is coded as __________.

4. When diagnostic codes are reported, the code for the __________ diagnosis is listed first, followed by the current coexisting conditions.

5. The guideline of not assigning diagnostic codes for suspected or probable condi- tions is referred to as “coding to the highest level of __________.”

6. After surgery, the patient’s diagnosis is different from the preoperative primary diagnosis. Which diagnosis is coded? __________

For Additional Practice Code the following:

1. Acute bronchospasm __________

2. Herpes zoster myelitis __________

3. Smoking complicating pregnancy, childbirth, antepartum condition, or complica- tion __________

4. Epilepsy complicating pregnancy, childbirth, or the puerperium __________

5. Uterine size date discrepancy, delivered __________

6. Encounter for removal of sutures __________

7. Papanicolaou smear of cervix with cytologic evidence of malignancy __________

8. Straining on urination __________

9. Postnasal drip __________

Resources Private Website www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes

Free online resource of online diagnostic codes.

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) www.cdc.gov/nchs/

Website for Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Resources Each end-of-chapter resources list provides additional information (organization contact information, websites, etc.) related to chapter content.

18 Section I A Career in Healthcare

Resources Alliance of Claims Assistance Professionals (ACAP) 873 Brentwood Drive West Chicago, IL 60185-3743 www.claims.org; [email protected]

Expert help with medical claims issues. This association works with clients and can assist with challenging denied claims and protecting clients’ personal, medical, and financial information.

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) 2480 South 3850 West, Suite B Salt Lake City, UT 84120 800-626-CODE www.aapc.com; [email protected]

Certification information and other extensive information for coders, office managers, claims examiners, hospital outpatient coders, experienced reimbursement specialists, and coding educators. The website job ad section lets you post your résumé and receive job alerts by email.

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) 233 North Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor Chicago, IL 60601-5809 www.ahima.org

AHIMA is an association of health information management (HIM) professionals. Members are dedicated to the effective management of the personal health informa- tion needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to advancing the HIM profession in an increasingly electronic and global environment through leadership in advocacy, education, and certification.

American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) 2465 E. Main Davis, OK 73030 580-369-2700 www.ambanet.net/AMBA.htm

The AMBA website presents information about online courses, networking opportuni- ties, and information on preparing for the examination to become a certified medical reimbursement specialist.

Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) 4230 Kiernan Avenue Suite 130 Modesto, CA 95356 800-982-2182 www.ahdionline.org

Provides career information, employment opportunities, networking, local association information, and approved education programs. You can post your résumé online and receive email job alerts.

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http://www.claims.org

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.aapc.com

mailto:[email protected]

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1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers

The content presented in this section will help the student under- stand the career opportunities available for the professional medi- cal office specialist. Chapter 1 presents important information on professional billing and coding careers, including employment demands and trends, job descriptions, professional memberships, and the medical billing and coding certifications that are valuable to career advancement.

Section I A Career in Healthcare

Professional Vignette

My name is Gene Simon, RHIA, my current position is Risk Manager Designee. Having gone

back to college later in life, and not wanting to be in a clinical position, I decided to enter the

field of health information management (HIM). It was a fascination of mine to be educated in the

hugely diversified field of analyzing, abstracting, and disseminating health data. I first thought the

field consisted of only reading a medical record, but I soon found out how wrong I was!

Through years of practice one becomes what the title suggests: a Registered Health Informa-

tion Administrator. We work with, and must have a thorough knowledge of every department

and every aspect of the medical facility. As I learned, practiced, climbed the ladder of success,

and obtained positions beyond my wildest imagination, it dawned on me, “Why can’t I pass on

this invaluable information to the younger generation?”

I decided to become an instructor and then to become supervisor of the coding/billing and

HIM departments as well as “Educator of the Year.” But something was still missing from my

goals: helping others to achieve their goals.

At this point in my life I have had hundreds of students in the hallways, in my classes, and

especially at graduation ceremonies step up and say with big smiles on their faces and tears in

their eyes, “Mr. Simon, you have changed my life, and for that I will be forever grateful.” This is

what being an instructor is all about: changing other people’s lives for the better!

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers

admitting clerk centralized billing office

(CBO) certifications health information clerk insurance verification

representative

managed care medical and health

services manager medical biller medical coder patient financial services

(PFS)

payer (payor) registered health

information administrator (RHIA)

registered health information technician (RHIT)

Key Terms

Chapter Objectives After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:

1 Recognize different types of facilities that employ allied health personnel.

2 Define job descriptions pertaining to a position.

3 Discuss options available for certification.

Elizabeth had nearly completed her course on medical billing and coding. As much as she had enjoyed the class, she was now concerned that she would only have one job choice. She discussed this matter with her instructor.

The instructor explained that with the training Elizabeth had received, she would have opportunities for diverse positions in a variety of medical facilities. Continuing her education by attending seminars in order to be aware of the ever-changing aspects of medical billing would increase her marketability and potential for advancement.

Questions

1. Make a list of the pros and cons of possible career options as you currently see them. Later in the course, reevaluate the issues you listed.

2. What medical facilities in your area would be potential employers of medical coders and billers?

3. How would joining professional organizations help you advance your career?

Case Study Introduction

to Professional Billing and

Coding Careers

In this textbook, the student will learn the process of submitting, coding, and resolving medical claims. There are many steps to this process. Procedures are dictated not only by the facility in which the medical office specialist works, but also by state and federal government regulations. To launch your new career, it is important that you understand the career opportunities that are available, the job titles and responsibilities for which you are qualified, and the certifications that are valuable for career advancement.

Employment Demand Prior to the enactment of the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, it was common for a physician on receipt of his or her license to open a solo/private practice. The physician would practice independently, depending on advertising and referrals for the practice to grow. The staff consisted of a receptionist, a nurse, and possibly one or two support staff. As more and more patients began to use managed care, however, phy- sicians faced financial difficulties. Patients had previously paid for services at the time they were rendered, but with managed care contracts it became the physician’s respon- sibility to file claims and wait 30 days or longer for payment. Managed care is a term used to describe a system in which healthcare delivery is monitored. Under managed care a healthcare provider will contract with a health insurance company, referred to as a payer (historically spelled payor). In this contract the provider agrees to follow guide- lines and accept negotiated fees with the aim to control healthcare costs.

The delay in payment changed the way physicians’ practices were managed. Physi- cians were forced to add additional staff to handle the processing of claims, and if claims forms were not submitted correctly or in a timely fashion, the financial health of the practice suffered because it was difficult to pay expenses with uncollected funds. The physician’s increased staff needs created a demand for trained and certified medical billers, medical office assistants, and medical coders.

Physicians and nurses comprise only 40% of all healthcare providers. The other 60% are allied health employees. Allied health employees are those members of the clinical healthcare profession whose positions are distinct from the medical and nurs- ing professions. As the name implies, they are all allies in the healthcare team, working together to make the healthcare system function.

Facilities Physician’s Practice The size of a physician’s practice is generally categorized as solo/private practice, small group (3 to 9 physicians), or large group (10 or more physicians).

Solo/Private Practice In the solo/private practice setting, the staff may consist of a nurse, a receptionist, and a medical biller and/or office manager. The receptionist and medical biller are often cross-trained for coverage purposes.

Introduction

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 5

Small-Group Practice In a small-group practice, the physicians may have the same specialty; for instance, the group may consist of four or five general practitioners. Small-group practices frequently contract out their billing and accounts receivable. In addition to the medical reception- ist, such a practice may have a staff member who verifies insurance and one who assists with scheduling and checking patients in or out. These responsibilities fall under the title of medical office assistant. Medical office assistants often compile and record med- ical records, reports, and correspondence. A medical records clerk or medical adminis- trative assistant may also be employed.

Large-Group Practice An excellent example of a large-group practice is a specialized practice, such as a back institute, which might consist of an orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, internist, chiro- practor, physiatrist, pain specialist, exercise physiologist, and a team of physical and occupational therapists. Large-group practices commonly handle claims and accounts receivable in house. Depending on how many physicians are in the group and what their specialties are, the large group may employ several people.

Multispecialty Clinic A multispecialty clinic is a group of physicians with several specialties who have formed a clinic or outpatient center to provide services under each specialty. An example is an outpatient center that provides treatment for adult general internal medicine, diseases of the circulatory system and diabetes, diseases of the nervous system, gynecology, oste- opathic manipulative treatment, and other services.

Hospital Hospitals were also affected by managed care. It is very rare today to find a privately owned hospital; most are owned by corporations. In a large metropolitan area it is not uncommon for three or more hospitals with different names to actually be part of one corporation, sometimes referred to as health systems. Examples of such corporations include Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Ascension Health, and Tenet Health Care Corporation. As an allied health employee, you may work in admissions, outpa- tient, inpatient, or the emergency department. You could be employed as a patient access specialist in patient services or a scheduler in the radiology department.

In the past, hospitals usually had a billing or financial department located on site that a patient could physically visit to address any billing concerns or make payments. Today there may still be a department such as this, but the staff ’s responsibilities are limited to answering basic questions. The actual handling and processing of data and claims are most often accomplished off site.

Many health systems centralize their billing and collections geographically. The staff responsible for processing claims will be located off site. Within the location there can be many departments: billing, revenue integrity, collections, support services, and oth- ers. These positions are part of revenue cycle or patient financial services. Revenue cycle is the management of healthcare reimbursement for services rendered. This includes calculating patient and payer responsibility through claims processing and collection of payment. It is the life of a patient account. In other words, it is a term that includes the entire life of a patient account from creation to payment.

Centralized Billing Office If a hospital, physician, multi-site, or multi-physician practice chooses not to handle claims within her practice or corporation, a contract will be signed with a centralized

6 Section I A Career in Healthcare

billing office (CBO). CBOs contract with healthcare providers to handle their claims and/or accounts receivable. A CBO can employ just 2 or 3 people or well over 500. It is a separate entity from the healthcare provider and has different ownership, although sometimes the provider may have a financial interest.

Job Titles and Responsibilities After completion of a course of study, the medical office specialist is qualified for entry- level positions such as patient information clerk, admitting clerk, insurance verification representative, apprentice coder, medical biller, government medical biller, payment poster, medical collector, refund specialist, medical records technician, medical recep- tionist, or medical secretary. Each facility will have its own specific job description and/ or job title for each such position. Knowledge of medical billing and coding is impera- tive to performing well in all these positions because, even though medical billing may not be the primary responsibility of certain positions, every staff member influences the accuracy of information submitted on a medical claim, such as the patient data, documentation of the procedure and diagnosis, and medical coding.

Medical Office Assistant In some facilities, this position is also referred to as a medical administrative assistant, secretary, or medical receptionist. Medical office assistants usually work in physicians’ offices. They are considered front office staff and primarily handle administrative duties. Responsibilities include organization and the ability to make the office function smoothly. In this position one might perform duties such as scheduling and confirm- ing patients’ diagnostic appointments, surgeries, and medical consultations. The medi- cal office assistant might compile and record medical records, reports, and correspondence; answer telephones; and direct calls to appropriate staff. He might also receive and route messages and documents such as laboratory results to appropriate staff as well as greet visitors, ascertain the purpose of their visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.

Education: There are no formal education or training requirements for medical office assistants. However, nearly all medical office assistant professionals hold a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a medical assisting program through a voca- tional school or community college. Typically, one-year programs lead to diplomas or certificates, while associate’s degree programs require two years.

Medical Biller Other job titles for a medical biller are billing specialist, patient account representative, claims processor, electronic claims processor, reimbursement specialist, and billing coordinator. Responsibilities may include analyzing patient data and charge informa- tion, submitting insurance claims, and contacting the insurance carrier on outstanding or incorrectly paid claims. A skillful biller helps healthcare facilities, insurance payers, and patients navigate the complexities of the many laws, regulations, and guidelines related to the business side of healthcare.

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent GED certificate is required. Many employers only look at candidates who have certification. Medical billing courses are independent of standard degree programs and may be presented in a classroom or online format. These programs usually take months rather than years to complete. The

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 7

curriculum will include basic medical terminology and diagnosis, procedure, supply, and procedure and diagnostic codes. The student will also be introduced to the many and complex laws and regulations governing healthcare business, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Stark Laws, the False Claims Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Act.

Payment Poster This position is sometimes called medical payment verification analyst or payment ana- lyst. A payment poster generally reads the Explanation of Benefits documents issued by insurance carriers and posts the payments or contractual adjustments to the appropriate patient account. In a hospital billing environment, this position is also referred to as a general cashier. This requires excellent data entry skills, math skills, and a good working knowledge of insurance contracts.

Education: There are no formal education or training requirements for a medical payment poster. However, nearly all medical payment poster professionals hold a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a medical administrative assistant program through a vocational school or community college. Many times if the candidate does not have prior medical payment posting experience, the employer will accept previous accounting or cashiering experience with healthcare vocational training.

Medical Collector A medical collector contacts patients and insurance carriers to collect money owed to the medical facility. This position requires a great deal of patience and tact. Most of this job is performed on the telephone; however, after contacting an insurance carrier, it may be necessary to gather and send additional information before a claim can be pro- cessed. Many of the insurance carriers have a website where the status of a claim can be checked and missing claim information can be submitted. A medical collector may also be required to send patient billing statements.

Refund Specialist A refund specialist analyzes patient accounts to discern whether or not a refund is required and, if so, to whom the money should be returned. This position requires researching, analytical, and math skills.

Insurance Verification Representative An insurance verification representative contacts insurance carriers by phone or via the insurance carrier’s website to verify benefit information for patients. This individual may also perform precertification and/or prior authorization of services duties. Deter- mining a patient’s financial responsibility before services being rendered is often required. Many providers use web-based software programs that interface with payers to expedite benefit eligibility and provide patient balance estimates.

8 Section I A Career in Healthcare

Education: A high school diploma is required for this position, though some employers prefer relevant work experience or the completion of some collegiate course- work or completing an allied healthcare vocational school training program or two years of post-secondary education. Training should include medical insurances, benefit verification or prior authorization, electronic health records, and basic medical termi- nology.

Admitting Clerk or Front Desk Representative The admitting clerk or registrar, also referred to as medical admissions clerk, has face- to-face contact with patients. Registering and greeting patients, having patients com- plete paperwork, answering questions, data entry of patient demographic and insurance information, and requesting information and payment are the general duties of the admitting clerk position. Dealing with patients who may be upset or irritable may also be required. In some facilities, the admitting clerk is responsible for appointment scheduling; in other facilities, a scheduler is a separate position.

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent. Training or on-the-job experience as a medical secretary or a health record clerk certificate and associate’s degree. Most of the education comes through job training, although there are educational programs that can assist finding employment in this role. These programs typically result in associate’s degrees or in a health record clerk certificate or secretarial certificate.

Table 1.1 lists facilities, job responsibilities, and certification(s) an employee may be required to hold. The job titles and responsibilities will vary at facilities; for example, a surgeon’s practice will require someone with more coding skills than a family practice will. A facility located in a rural area may need fewer employees than might a facility located in an urban area, which would require all employees to be cross-trained and able to perform varied responsibilities. There is no state or federal requirement for employees to be certified. One facility may require or encourage its employees to be certified, and another facility may train on the job.

Certifications Medical billing and coding certifications are valuable to your career advancement. Med- ical billing and coding certificates are available at every level of expertise. Certification for medical coding and billing is not a requirement for employment in most states, but having a few billing and coding certifications will definitely help you to advance your medical billing or medical coding career and to make you more competitive in the job market. Examples of certification agencies are the American Health Information Man- agement Association (AHIMA), American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and National Healthcareer Associa- tion (NHA). General and contact information for these agencies are listed at the end of this chapter in the Resources section.

Two program accrediting agencies that are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Edu- cation Programs (CAAHEP) and Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). These programs or agencies perform accrediting activities to determine if certification programs provide and maintain the highest standards. When searching for or selecting a certification program these are excellent resources.

The following vocations have been listed separately to focus on certification require- ments. These job roles usually require advanced education prior to certification.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 9

Facilities Job Titles and Responsibilities Certifications

Physician’s Practice

Solo/Private Practice Front Desk Representative Medical Office Assistant

Insurance Verification Representative

Medical Collector Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Office Assistant Medical Office Assistant

Privacy Compliance Officer RHIT, RHIA, or CHP

Small-Group Practice Front Desk Representative Medical Office Assistant

Insurance Verification Representative

Medical Biller Medical Billing Specialist

Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Coder Certified Coding Associate

Certified Coding Specialist—Physician

Medical Collector Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Office Assistant Medical Office Assistant

Privacy Compliance Officer RHIT, RHIA, or CHP

Large-Group Practice Front Desk Representative Medical Office Assistant

Insurance Verification Representative

Medical Biller Medical Billing Specialist

Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Coder Certified Coding Associate

Certified Coding Specialist—Physician

Certified Professional Coder

Medical Collector Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Office Assistant Medical Office Assistant

Payment Poster

Privacy Compliance Officer RHIT, RHIA, or CHP

Multi-specialty clinic Admitting Clerk Medical Office Assistant

Health Information Clerk Health Information Clerk

Insurance Verification Representative

Medical Biller Medical Billing Specialist

Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Coder Certified Coding Associate

Certified Coding Specialist—Physician

Certified Professional Coder

Medical Collector Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Office Assistant Medical Office Assistant

Payment Poster

Privacy Compliance Officer RHIT, RHIA, CHP

Table 1.1 Facilities, Job Titles, and Certifications

(Continued )

10 Section I A Career in Healthcare

Medical Coder Healthcare professionals who manage the coding of medical records have job titles such as medical coder, health information coder, medical coding specialist, coding special- ist, health information administrator or health information technician. The duties and responsibilities may include research and reference checking of medical records as well as accurately coding the primary and secondary diagnoses and procedures using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) coding books.1 Medical coders abstract and compile data from medical records regarding hospital,

1CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

Facilities Job Titles and Responsibilities Certifications

Hospital

Patient Financial Admitting Clerk

Services Health Information Clerk Health Information Clerk

Insurance Verification Representative

Medical Biller Medical Billing Specialist

Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Coder Certified Professional Coder—Hospital

Certified Professional Coder

Medical Collector Reimbursement Specialist

Payment Poster

Privacy Compliance Officer RHIT, RHIA, or CHP

Refund Specialist

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Medical Records Certification

Centralized Billing Office Insurance Verification Representative Certified Coding Specialist

Medical Biller Medical Billing Specialist

Reimbursement Specialist

Medical Coder Certified Professional Coder—Hospital

Certified Professional Coder

Medical Collector Reimbursement Specialist

Payment Poster

Privacy Compliance Officer RHIT, RHIA, or CHP

Refund Specialist

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Medical Records Certification

Table 1.1 Facilities, Job Titles, and Certifications (Continued)

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 11

physician, and other professional services in order to obtain appropriate optimal reim- bursement. (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes and (CPT) procedure codes will be defined and discussed in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6.)

Education: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers typi- cally prefer employees with certifications in this field, though this certification is not mandatory (www.bls.gov). The most common certification examination is the Certified Coding Assistant (CCA), which is administered through the American Health Informa- tion Management Association (AHIMA). This exam is typically taken after graduating from a training program. After acquiring a few years of work experience, technicians are eligible to sit for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) examination, which includes either a physician-based or hospital-based option.

Privacy Compliance Officer The privacy compliance officer, also referred to as HIPAA privacy officer, is responsible for answering questions and explaining to patients and their family members about HIPAA privacy regulations, living wills, and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. A privacy officer oversees all ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, and maintenance of and adherence to the organization’s policies and procedures covering the privacy of, and access to, patient health information in compliance with federal and state laws and the healthcare organization’s information privacy practices. In a physician setting, the privacy compliance officer is responsible for receiving and responding to requests for medical records and receiving complaints. Depending on the size of the facility, this position may also require data entry of patient demographics and/or appointment scheduling.

Education: Certification as an RHIA or RHIT with education and experience relative to the size and scope of the organization. (RHIA and RHIT certification will be defined later in this chapter). For small practices, experience and a Certified HIPAA Proces- sional (CHP) may be acceptable.

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) The registered health information administrator (RHIA) performs as a critical link between care providers, payers, and patients. An RHIA is an expert in managing patient health information and medical records, administering computer information systems, collecting and analyzing patient data, and using classification systems. RHIAs possess comprehensive knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements, and standards related to healthcare delivery and the privacy of protected patient infor- mation. They often manage people and operational units, participate in administrative committees, and prepare budgets.

Education: Prospective RHIAs must complete a bachelor’s program in health infor- mation management accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Infor- matics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). These programs are available in campus-based and online formats.

In many cases, students must complete two years of prerequisite coursework or an approved associate’s program before applying to a health information management bach- elor’s program. Prerequisite topics include human anatomy, biology, psychology and com- puter applications. The core health information management curriculum covers medical ethics, medical law, privacy law, data analysis, and electronic records management.

http://www.bls.gov

12 Section I A Career in Healthcare

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) The registered health information technician (RHIT) position may also be referred to as coder, file clerk, health information clerk, health information systems technician, medical records analyst, medical records clerk, medical records director, medical records technician, or office manager. Job responsibilities may include compiling, pro- cessing, and maintaining medical records of physician and hospital patients in a man- ner consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. The job involves reviewing records for complete- ness, accuracy, and compliance with regulations and the release of information to per- sons and agencies according to regulations. As healthcare providers migrate to electronic health records mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) discussed in Chapter 4, registered health information technicians will evolve from the custodians of paper health records to custodians of electronic health records. This transformation will also require the registered health information techni- cian to acquire a higher level of information technology knowledge.

Education: In order to obtain the RHIT credential, an individual will need to earn an associate’s degree in health information management. This program also must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Coursework includes topics such as clinical coding and classification systems, medical terminology, data analysis, anatomy, and physiology.

Health Information Clerk Health information clerks may work in large hospitals, clinics or for a private-practice doctor. These professionals organize and maintain health data in electronic and paper systems within various healthcare settings. They are responsible for reviewing patient records, organizing databases, tracking patient outcomes, and protecting patients’ health information.

Education: An associate’s degree in either of these fields will typically qualify an applicant for employment as a health information clerk; however, a growing number of employers prefer to hire health information clerks who are registered. Becoming regis- tered requires passing a written examination overseen by the American Health Informa- tion Management Association. Only graduates of accredited 2-year programs are allowed to sit for this exam.

Medical and Health Services Manager A medical and health services manager, executive, or administrator plans and directs the health services in facilities, medical practices, or specific clinical departments.

Education: A candidate will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in health administration.

Listing of Certifications Medical Office Assistant Certification National Certified Medical Office Assistant To achieve certification as a National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA), you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. You must have graduated from an approved program of study as a medical office assistant or provide documentation of 1 year of experience as a medical office assistant. The exam requires knowledge

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 13

of computer literacy, business communication, medical terminology, law and ethics, patient control, insurance, office procedures, and Occupational Safety and Health Admin- istration (OSHA) regulations. The NCMOA certification is awarded through the NCCT.

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant To qualify as a certified medical administrative assistant (CMAA), you must be a gradu- ate of a healthcare training program or have one or more years of full-time job experi- ence. The CMAA certification is awarded through the NHA.

Medical Billing Certifications Certified Medical Billing Specialist A candidate for Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS) certification is an individual who is motivated to improve her medical billing knowledge and develop new skills to assist providers in maximizing their reimbursement through proper coding and docu- mentation. To achieve certification, an individual must successfully complete a series of six courses and provide the Medical Association of Billers (MAB) with an evaluation of billing performance from a supervisor, provider, or instructor. The CMBS certification is awarded by MAB.

Reimbursement Specialist Certification The certified medical reimbursement specialist (CMRS) certification is a credential offered by the American Billing Association (AMBA). The CMRS designation is awarded by the Certifying Board of the American Medical Billing Association (CBAMBA) after an exam. There is no state or federal requirement for a medical billing professional to become certified; however, the goal is to provide a “professional certification.”

Medical Coding Certifications Certified Coding Associate Coders who earn the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification awarded by AHIMA can immediately demonstrate their competency in the field even if they don’t have much job experience. Earning a CCA demonstrates a commitment to coding even for those who are new in the field. The CCA should be viewed as a starting point for an individual beginning a new career as a coder.

Certified Professional Coder The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification is designed to evaluate a medical coder’s knowledge of medical terminology; human anatomy; ICD-10-CM concepts; the Health Care Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) concepts; coding concepts; sur- gery and coding modifiers; evaluation and management concepts; anesthesia coding; radiology, laboratory, and pathology concepts; and medicine. To receive the CPC certi- fication, a coder must have 2 years of work experience and pass the certification exam. Those applicants who are successful in passing the certification examination, but have not met the required coding work experience, will be awarded the initial designation Certified Professional Coder–Apprentice (CPC-A). The CPC certification is awarded through the AAPC.

Certified Professional Coder–Hospital Because there are distinct differences between CPT coding for physician services and for outpatient facility services, the AAPC has a separate examination and certification for outpatient facility coding titled Certified Professional Coder–Hospital (CPC-H). To receive the CPC-H certification, a coder must have 2 years of work experience and pass the certification exam. Those applicants who are successful in passing the certification

14 Section I A Career in Healthcare

examination, but have not met the required coding work experience, will be awarded the initial designation Certified Professional Coder–Hospital–Apprentice (CPC-H-A).

Certified Coding Specialist Coding accuracy is very important to healthcare organizations because reimbursement cannot be received without accurate coding, and inaccurate coding results in lower pro- ductivity (due to the time needed to make corrections). Accordingly, the Certified Cod- ing Specialist (CCS) demonstrates tested skills in medical coding. The CCS certification exam assesses mastery or proficiency in coding rather than entry-level skills. The CCS certification is awarded through AHIMA.

Certified Coding Specialist–Physician The Certified Coding Specialist–Physician (CCS-P) certification demonstrates expertise in physician-based settings such as physicians’ offices, group practices, and specialty clinics. The CCS-P certification exam assesses mastery or proficiency in coding rather than entry-level skills. If you perform coding in a doctor’s office, clinic, or similar set- ting, you should consider obtaining the CCS-P certification to demonstrate or validate your ability. The CCS-P certification is awarded through AHIMA.

Medical Records Certification Registered Health Information Technician The Registered Health Information Technician is the custodian of medical records who ensures the quality of medical records by verifying their completeness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems. RHIT certification proves proficiency and ability in accurate patient record maintenance, management, and analysis. The RHIT certifica- tion is awarded through AHIMA. The American Health Information Management Asso- ciation (AHIMA), among other organizations, provides certification programs specifically for health information technicians.

Registered Health Information Administrator The registered Health Information Administrator acts as a critical link between care providers, payers, and patients. A RHIA candidate must have successfully completed a baccalaureate level of an HIM program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Managed Education (CAHIM). The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), among other organizations, provides certification programs specifically for health information technicians.

Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP) This is a two-day instructor-led HIPAA training program sponsored by the HIPAA Acad- emy. The program covers the basics of the Administrative Simplification portion of the HIPAA legislation, which includes the HIPAA Transactions and Code Sets, Identifiers, and Privacy and Security. It is this provision of the HIPAA regulation that is the water- shed legislation for healthcare information systems.

Professional Memberships Professional memberships help you stay current in your field. They can offer informa- tion about upcoming conferences and professional development opportunities. As a member, you will be eligible to attend the group’s conferences. Whether at the state, regional, or national level, professional conferences offer excellent opportunities to build your network of professionals in the field, learn the latest developments in your

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 15

Chapter Summary

■■ Changes in the way healthcare is paid for created a demand for allied health person- nel trained in medical billing and coding.

■■ Certification demonstrates dedication to advancement and competency.

Chapter Review

True/False Identify the statement as true (T) or false (F).

_____ 1. PFS is an abbreviation for patient financial services.

_____ 2. The medical office assistant might compile and record medical records, reports, and correspondence.

_____ 3. HIPAA is an abbreviation for Hospital Information per American Medical Association.

_____ 4. Certification is not required in most states.

_____ 5. Math skills are important when working with refunds and posting of payments.

_____ 6. Coding accuracy is very important to healthcare organizations because funding cannot be received without accurate coding.

16 Section I A Career in Healthcare

_____ 7. Registered health information technicians are health information techni- cians who ensure quality of medical records by verifying their complete- ness, accuracy, and proper entry into computer systems.

_____ 8. An admitting clerk may be responsible for appointment scheduling.

_____ 9. A collector may be required to send out patient billing statements.

_____ 10. A medical office assistant is considered front office staff and primarily handles administrative duties.

Multiple Choice Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

_____ 1. A business that contracts with physicians to handle its claims and/or accounts receivable is referred to as a(n): a. physician billing office. b. centralized billing office. c. accounts receivable corporation. d. billing and coding facilitator.

_____ 2. A person who is considered front office staff and primarily handles administrative duties is called a(n): a. medical secretary. b. medical office assistant.

c. medical receptionist. d. all of the above.

_____ 3. A health information technician has the responsibility to: a. contact patients about their outstanding balance. b. assist the physician in surgery. c. research and code medical records. d. provide patients with information about their software.

_____ 4. What job description requires excellent data entry skills, math skills, and a good working knowledge of insurance contracts? a. Medical records technician b. Payment poster

c. Insurance verifier d. Contract reviewer

_____ 5. A medical collector will contact most patients: a. by mail. b. during appointments.

c. in person. d. by telephone.

_____ 6. A refund specialist position requires: a. researching, analytical, and math skills. b. patience and tact. c. data entry. d. organization and telephone skills.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Professional Billing and Coding Careers 17

_____ 7. What job description routinely requires face-to-face contact with the patient? a. Medical biller b. Insurance verifier

c. Medical collector d. Admitting clerk

_____ 8. Professional memberships help their members by: a. providing current information in their field. b. organizing social events. c. providing legal services. d. assisting with verifying benefits.

_____ 9. An example of a certification agency is the: a. American Health Information Management Association. b. American Academy of Professional Workers. c. National Center for Coding Testing. d. National Heart Association.

_____ 10. What abbreviation stands for a coder who specializes in hospital coding? a. HPC-C b. CHC-P

c. CPC-P d. CPC-H

Completion Complete each statement.

1. __________, __________, and __________ are the three common sizes of phy- sician practices.

2. __________ and __________ are other job titles for a medical biller.

3. As a medical collector, it is important to have __________ and __________.

4. The knowledge of medical __________ and __________ is imperative to per- form well in all medical administrative positions.

5. A medical office assistant may also be referred to as a medical __________ or medical __________.

6. The payment poster generally reads the __________ from insurance carriers and posts the payments or contractual adjustments to the appropriate patient account.

7. An insurance verification representative will determine the patient’s financial responsibility __________ to services being rendered.

8. Professional membership is an excellent addition to your __________.

9. To receive the CPC-H certification, you must have __________ years of work experience and pass the certification exam.

10. The registered health information technician certification is awarded through the __________.