by Cheryl Nash
As of this writing, the actual rates have not been released. However it appears that the proposed 20% decrease has been reversed. It is also projected that ablations will show an approximate 1% increase.
Until the final release happens, we will not be able to identify any changes (up or down) to the other primary codes used in phlebology. We do expect, at this time, for most of the codes to follow a similar pattern of zero to 1% increase.
The stability in rates may be short lived as phlebology work and other units are up for review for 2011. When coupled with the pending legislative changes in Congress, it should prove to be an interesting and dynamic year. We will try to keep you updated as we hear of any proposed, pending or actual changes.
Monday, December 7, 2009
It is all about.... ME!
by AJ Riviezzo
All too often professional organizations like Physicians, Attorneys and Accountants spend a good bit of their marketing dollars talking about themselves. How good they are, what sort of equipment or state of the art something or other. But ask yourself a quick question. When you are considering purchasing a service, do you really care about them?
What you really want to know is how whatever you will be purchasing will help YOU.
It is no different for your phlebology practice. The bulk of your information and marketing content should be about the patient. What results they will experience. How you will reduce their pain, swelling, edema, and discomfort. What they should expect. Will their insurance cover the procedure or what is the cost to them.
Review your own marketing literature and your website. If it starts out with a lot of I's and not many You's, perhaps a re-write is in order.
All too often professional organizations like Physicians, Attorneys and Accountants spend a good bit of their marketing dollars talking about themselves. How good they are, what sort of equipment or state of the art something or other. But ask yourself a quick question. When you are considering purchasing a service, do you really care about them?
What you really want to know is how whatever you will be purchasing will help YOU.
It is no different for your phlebology practice. The bulk of your information and marketing content should be about the patient. What results they will experience. How you will reduce their pain, swelling, edema, and discomfort. What they should expect. Will their insurance cover the procedure or what is the cost to them.
Review your own marketing literature and your website. If it starts out with a lot of I's and not many You's, perhaps a re-write is in order.
Consultation Codes are Going Away
by AJ Riviezzo and Cheryl Nash
The consultations codes are 99241 through 99245 (sometimes known as 9924X). These codes will not be invalid but will pay zero beginning the first of the new year with Medicare as the payer.
Many commercial plans do not immediatly follow the Medicare changes. You may want to contact your commercial plans to see if/when they will stop allowing these codes. I would also ask if they will be increasing reimbursement for the 9920X codes by 6% as Medicare is projected to be doing to offset the loss of revenues.
The consultations codes are 99241 through 99245 (sometimes known as 9924X). These codes will not be invalid but will pay zero beginning the first of the new year with Medicare as the payer.
Many commercial plans do not immediatly follow the Medicare changes. You may want to contact your commercial plans to see if/when they will stop allowing these codes. I would also ask if they will be increasing reimbursement for the 9920X codes by 6% as Medicare is projected to be doing to offset the loss of revenues.
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