Physicians and mid-level providers are having some serious conversations with patients regarding their Advanced Care Planning, meaning the discussion of a serious illness and the next steps that they need to take regarding advanced directives, hospice, skilled nursing, pre and post-death arrangements, etc.

These discussions are now payable under most health insurance plans including Medicare, but you need to be walked through the steps of these important conversations first, then consider the options for coding, billing, and reimbursement. Most practices have been providing this important service for years but have never charged for it. Ms. Fletcher brings you the ACP directives and regulatory insight you need to get started. Join us for this important podcast. It could cost you thousands of dollars in lost revenue if you don’t listen in today.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:45 — 36.9MB)

The past three years has witnessed tremendous growth in the use of computer-assisted coding (CAC) systems. Many hospitals, physician practices, and health systems moved forward with CAC implementation after the ICD-10 rollout continued with delays. According to several, 2017 research reports, the CAC industry is expected to see continued adoption with the overall market rising to $5.1 billion by 2023.

What does this mean for the Coding professional moving to more automated coding? Many Coders recognize the benefits of automated coding systems, however, for the most part, the emotions on this discussion have been negative. In the fact, the perception is that upper management doesn’t understand the complexity of a coder’s job, that “the financial people just don’t get it”. Even though there is some wonder and excitement in response to the new technology, there is still the worry on behalf of coders, that the impact of technology on their job security would suggest the phasing out of a manual coder.

Ms. Fletcher talks through this perception and attempts to put the coder’s fears aside to reassure them that automated coding will not entirely replace coding professionals. Computers should be viewed as another tool to aid in the coding process, increase efficiency, and actually improve coding skills as we move toward these advancements.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:46 — 34.1MB)

Medical scribes can increase efficiency and the quality of chart documentation, and lessen audit exposure in most practices.

Terry discusses using medical scribes in a physician’s practice; how to calculate your ROI (return on investment) if you chose to use a scribe in your practice, and will outline not only their potential duties, but give you insight to what their qualifications should be and then the Joint Commission and CMS’ position and requirements for documentation, signatures, and authentication of their work.

Should you hire a scribe? Listen in to find out.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:34 — 32.5MB)

Terry takes the practical approach in discussing the frequent question of “Should physicians assign their own codes after a patient encounter?” Is the expense of hiring a coder worth the savings of having the physician provide the codes themselves or would this flag a practice for an audit? What are the pros and cons of hiring a certified coder versus having the physician use technological advancements to code?

Ms. Fletcher will address those issues, along with a discussion on practice revenue that is always impacted by the “coder” whomever that may be. Join us for this important practice discussion.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:32 — 29.7MB)

Telemedicine services and technologies are the current rage in the country. Terry brings her expertise in her podcast, this week on how to successfully adopt Telemedicine (Telehealth) into your practice, how to use this technology to potentially expand physician practice base, cut rising practice expense, and improve patient outreach while increasing revenues. Telemedicine can provide hard benefits of revenue improvement and efficiency, and the soft benefits of patient satisfaction and access to care if done right. To move forward in this ever-changing world of technology, this is a must listen Codecast Podcast.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:48 — 31.4MB)

Our CodeCast Podcast focuses on NPP’s this week. Terry Fletcher discusses the reasoning behind hiring a mid-level provider and the benefits to the physician practice as well as the particular services they can provide. It is all about the profit centers. Is your NP or PA a profit center for your practice? We discuss benchmarks to determine the answer to this question along with some compliance concerns and recommendations.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:20 — 34.9MB)

In this Podcast, sponsored by MedPro360, Terry Fletcher focuses on the physician practice based Part B updates that Medicare has published in the first half of 2017. Her discussions and insights provide a clear understanding if the impact of these updates as it relates to Coding and Reimbursement for ACP billing, Telemedicine Health, and Professional Courtesy issues in the physician practice. Join us for these important updates.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:55 — 30.2MB)

In the premiere edition of the CodeCast Podcast, Terry Fletcher, CEO and President of Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc. presents insights into the topic of coding for Moderate Sedation for the specialty physician in 2017. As an industry leader in the business of medicine, Terry speaks with discusses the objectives and challenges that come with coding these services, as well as the “whys” of the documentation component.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:18 — 32.1MB)