Punctuation in THOMAS-New Medicare Errors

In the past it has been our practice to train users NOT to use punctuation in THOMAS, except in very specific places like the dashes used in phone numbers or social security numbers.  The reason was, because with electronic files being sent and read by computers many times those other keyboard characters meant something entirely different to the computer reading your file.  Sometimes they were even commands telling the other computer to do something.  Well, those days are changing.

If you haven't already seen this error, you may well soon-

PATIENT NAME AND MEDICARE NUMBER DO NOT MATCH

 

How to Make Sure You Keep More of Your Money

I’ve mentioned in the past that there is a great resource I recommend for current practice knowledge and chat- it is Physician’s Practice, which you can find at www.physicianspractice.com.  It doesn’t cost anything to sign up there, but it is well worth it for the office and coding tips and tricks alone.  I noticed a theme over the last month or so in their Practice Pearls e-mails and pulled a bunch of collected office wisdom for you.  I will post the articles I used at the end so you can go read them in their entirety.  Some come from this year’s MGMA conference in San Antonio, TX where they collected some current thoughts and discussion on meaningful use and best office practices.  This is all new and current stuff.

First off – Verify, Check, double-check, and Confirm.

The NACC Correct Coding Pays Seminar

The NACC Correct Coding Pays Seminar
Co-sponsored by Genius Solutions, Inc. and The Michigan Association of Chiropractors (MAC)


Calling all DCs & CAs.  The National Academy of Chiropractic Coders is the first association specifically for Doctors of Chiropractic and Insurance CAs who wish to become proficient in chiropractic coding.  This knowledge is crucial, because...Correct Coding Pays! 

October 25

Click Here for the event flier (w/details and registration form)



  

BCBSM (Michigan) Edit for MR and RRMR

Over the last couple of weeks we've been getting calls about BCBS Michigan edits regarding Medicare, RR Medicare, DMERC etc.

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Per BCBSM:

"Effective 9/28/2012, Medicare implemented new front-end edits for
all Medicare Part B and Medicare DMERC professional claims. The edits are triggered by Medicare for claims reporting a Group Name in
Loop 2000B SBR04. Edits are returned on 277CAW and 277CAM reports and 277CA transactions:

A8 663 IL Entity's Group Name
A8 732 IL Information submitted inconsistent with billing guidelines"

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Michigan THOMAS clients must take out what they have in plan name and group name for MR (Medicare) and RRMR (Rail Road Medicare) policies only, to comply with the Medicare guidelines.

If you have additional questions, or have done this and are still receiving these edits, please call support.

October First Friday Conference Call

There will NOT be a 10/5/2012 Genius Solutions First Friday of the Month Conference call.  We hope to have one on November 2nd.

Florida Seminar Rescheduled

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are rescheduling the Genius Solutions healthcare seminar in Pensacola, Florida From Oct 9, 2012, to Friday, February 1, 2013. All of the rest of the times, location, and information are the same. Please mark your calendar for the new date and get ready to visit with us in February. We are looking forward to visiting with you!

We will post an updated flier and send out a new e-mail as soon as the Florida seminar reschedule has gone through the final approvals.

Genius Healthcare Office Solutions Presents: The 2012 Florida Seminar

   

Genius Healthcare Office Solutions:
The 2012 Florida Seminar

Oct 9th - Register Now!
9am - 5 pm
$99.00 Per Person
@ Crowne Plaza
200 E. Gregory St.
Pensacola, FL 32501
850.433.3336

More Information
586.751.9080 or seminars@geniussolutions.com
Topics Include:

• Office Compliance Plans
• Best Office Practices
• ICD-10
• Tech Talk
• THOMAS Tips & Tricks
• And More!

Meaningful Use Stage 2 – Yes, it is here, for better or worse

Meaningful Use Stage 2 (also known as 2014 Edition Standards & Certification Criteria (S&CC)Final Rule) is in the bag so to speak.  The next stage has been officially finalized and will be hitting your computer (and your EHR programs) over the next couple of years.  First off the new name (2014 edition) clues you into the first change- Stage 2 is going into effect one year later than previously decided per the original ARRA documentation.

URGENT: WPS J8 MAC Medicare change starts at 2:00 Thursday 7/12/2012

This is for MICHIGAN - as part of the J8 Medicare WPS for Mich Part B BCBSM has announced they will stop taking Medicare claims with the current payor id on Thursday July 12 at 2pm.Claims sent after 2pm will reject with P935 PAYER ID FOR MEDICARE IS INVALID.

EHR Myths & Misconceptions Webinar

Over the past year and half, many offices nationwide have purchased and implemented a certified electronic health records system into their daily routine. Many other doctors have waited because they wanted to see how intensive the transition would be, and if the government was really going to pay the stimulus funds.

Dr. Ted A. Arkfeld is your host for this webinar

Tuesday, July 10th, from 12 to 1  PM EST

• Common myths and misconceptions about implementing a certified EHR into your practice
• Why now is the perfect time to purchase an EHR system
• How to increase your revenue with an EHR system
• How to increase your stimulus funds
• How an EHR system will prepare your office for the ICD-10 transition in 2014
• The last 30 minutes of this webinar will be demonstration of the WritePad Certified EHR system
  
  
  Space is limited, please register early. 

 Click Here to Register!

The NACC Anatomy of Excellent Documentation Seminar

Chiropractic Documentation & EHR
Co-sponsored by Genius Solutions, Inc. and Advanced Compliance Technologies

July 14 in Addison, TX

The days of using travel cards and check box forms have come to an end.  Paper systems are being rapidly replaced with electronic health record (EHR) systems, which allow providers to document patient daily visits compliantly. 

This seminar is also good for 8 CEUs given through Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, MN.
 





  

You must be using 5010 TODAY or you WILL NOT BE PAID!

Per BCBSM (MI) As of today you will begin receiving REJECTIONS FOR ANY CLAIMS NOT SENT IN THE 5010 FORMAT.

Most of you have been and are using the 5010 format already. If you have not switched over you need to visit our 5010 webpage immediately- http://www.geniussolutions.com/5010/

• Back up your THOMAS data
• Update your THOMAS

And, 

• Follow the instructions on the 5010 page, BEFORE you call, so we can best assist you.  http://www.geniussolutions.com/5010/

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The rejections you will begin seeing IF YOU ARE NOT USING 5010 will be as follows:

Rejected v4010 claims will return on 277CA reports with the
following edits:

• A3 493 P620 PAYER NOT ACCEPTING CLAIMS IN VERSION 4010 (Professional)
• A3 493 F620 PAYER NOT ACCEPTING CLAIMS IN VERSION 4010 (Institutional)

Rejected claims will need to be resubmitted in v5010 format.