Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: Our cardiology practice has recently had to appeal numerous claims. The denials are due to our office's insufficient initial reporting. What can we do to fix this? California Subscriber Answer: Your office can send clean claims the first time by using a simple checklist. To ensure accuracy before submitting a claim, take these actions: • Make sure the policy number and ID number are accurate. • Obtain insurance eligibility verification. • Verify other patient information (proper name, birth date, address, etc.). • Confirm the info the provider gave you for posting charged entries. • Check that CPT and ICD-9 codes are up-to-date and as specific as possible. • Make sure, if applicable, that you have the referral authorization number on the form and, if required, the referring doctor's national provider identifier (NPI). -- You Be the Coder and Reader Questions prepared with the assistance of Jim Collins, ACS-CA, CHCC, CPC-CARDIO, President of CardiologyCoder.Com Inc. and compliance manager for several cardiology groups around the country.