The different coding systems used in medicine serve as a means of communication between medical providers and the insurance companies that pay for services rendered during a patient encounter. Some of the major influential players in the coding game include:
- The World Health Organization (WHO), which is responsible for generating diagnosis codes.
We have to note that since 2015 that changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10 has had the greatest impact on dermatology medical billing. ICD-10-CM code contains specific information that needs to be documented in the medical record. The difference between the two coding systems is that ICD-10 will more clearly report the patient’s medical condition at the time of treatment.
Dermatology Medical Billing Expands with ICD-10-CM
The coding from ICD-9-10 to ICD-10-CM, greatly expanded set of possible codes based on the state of the carbuncle. The L02 the code used to describe Cutaneous abscess, furuncle, carbuncle. ICD-10-CM requires greater specificity through the use of least significant numbers to indicate anatomical site. L02.2 describes an abscess, furuncle, or carbuncle of the trunk. If the carbuncle has ruptured, it is more accurately coded L02.21, Cutaneous abscess of trunk, but additional digits are still required to submit a clean dermatology claim. ICD-10-CM requires that open skin abscesses be specifically located for accurate reporting purposes. L02.212 is a cutaneous abscess of the any part of the back except the buttock. L02.211 is a cutaneous abscess of the abdominal wall.
For dermatology billing it is the diagnosis, along with the proper charting, that makes are breaks whether or not a claim is going to be paid on the first pass, or more documentation is required.
Dermatology Billing and EMRs
With the prevalence of electronic health records (EHR) we have to point out that charting and billing at not the same type of systems.. EMRs provide some documentation of benefit to the physician, such as legibility but there are also risks.
Many EMRs calculate the level of service and procedure codes based on physician documentation. This can be convenient but carries the risk of coding incorrectly and potentially reduces the incentive to learn the nuances of coding. Template based systems are notorious for producing charting that is nothing more than duck speak. It is the physician that is ultimately responsible for the level of coding. .
Dermatology Medicine Billing Experts
Preferred Health Resources offer Internal Medicine billing expertise that provide comprehensive support for the busy dermatologist practice. Who demands and gets professionally and accurately submitted claims. We mention our expertise because the last 2 or 3 years have been a turbulent times for billing for dermatology, which we keep abreast of.
Preferred Health Resources provides the following services for one encompassing performance based fee:
- Personal responses to all patient billing questions
- Generation and mailing of patient statements
- Rapid posting of reimbursements
- Customized monthly statistical reports and spread sheets tracking business activity and productivity
- Application of effective collection procedures to promote remittance of outstanding receivables
- Collection and analysis of patient information
- Evaluation and recommendations for fee structuring strategies
- Over 1,200 different type of reports are available to all practices
As one of the most unique and distinguished medical billing companies in the industry, Preferred Health Resources offers thorough solutions to all of your billing and neurological practice needs. For one fee, internist receive the benefits of working with an experienced medical billing company that takes pride in providing clients with consummate professionals possessing years of experience in the medical billing industry.
PHR maximizes office competency and minimizes the expense of backlogs. Neurologists will no longer have to worry about rising overhead expenses, upgrading computer software, pursuing denial of payment claims or inadvertently violating HIPAA guidelines. Additional benefits provided by Preferred Health Resources include:
- Assignment of a personal account executive
- Personal response to questions (no voice recordings, expect off hours)
- Daily submission of claims electronically
- Productive and assertive follow-up on all claims
- PHR will bill off of your EMR or billing system.
Experiencing significant loss of revenue due to billing issues is both unnecessary and rectifiable. PHR’s experienced staff of authoritative medical billing and claims processors are always prepared to fight for its clients to get the best reimbursements from all carriers. Let Preferred Health Resources take charge of the medical billing aspect of your dermatology practice and discover the satisfaction of knowing your claims are being managed accurately, professionally and with a personal touch.
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If you’re a dermatologist searching for a medical billing firm that improves your reimbursements you should call PHR. Preferred Health Resources does medical billing for dermatology that is customized for you, your office, and patients.
If you’re experiencing loss of revenue due to billing it is unnecessary and rectifiable. PHR’s experienced staff of authoritative dermatology medicine billing and claims processors are always prepared to fight for its clients to get the best reimbursements from all carriers. Let Preferred Health Resources take charge of the medical billing aspect of your practice and discover the satisfaction of knowing your claims are being managed accurately, professionally and with a personal touch.