Anesthesia billing has ever been more complicating and daunting unlike billing for other medical specialties. Attaining maximized revenue for Anesthesia billing is possible only if each and every member right from the physician to the biller and coders involved in handling the medical report work productively, keeping in mind the nuances of Anesthesia billing.
Even a simple error or a slip in following the standard work protocol may result in hefty revenue loss. Having a streamlined work flow protocol helps at greater extent to conform qualitative Anesthesia billing to maximized revenue flow. Listed below are few steps to proactively optimize Anesthesia Billing to enhance your profits
Accurate Documentation
Accuracy is of paramount importance in every niche of the healthcare and medical billing process. Accuracy in clinical documentation of Anesthesia billing marks significant changes in medical billing and coding, which ultimately enhances reimbursement percentage.
Anesthesia Billing and Coding Guidelines
Profound knowledge in Anesthesia Billing and Coding guidelines aids in avoiding thoughtless slip ups resulting in maximized reimbursement for the claims. Insurance Company policies and Medical billing and coding guidelines are set for regular changes to cope up with the inevitable upgrades and improvements in the healthcare industry. Keeping up with the recent policy updates and guidelines assist Medical billers and Coders to submit quality claims reflecting higher revenue flow.
Anesthesia Billing and Coding Tips
The American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has regulated certain specific coding and billing guidelines listed below to be followed when billing for Anesthesia.
- Reporting Accurate base and time units: Calculating the base unit and entering the numeric value to Anesthesia procedural codes and reporting time spent on the procedure by minutes is crucial.
- Reporting Start and Stop time: Documenting and reporting the start and stop time of the procedure is mandate and coders are required to follow specific insurance company’s guidelines and CMS rules to calculate time units.
- Coding Multiple Procedures: Some ASA codes includes multiple areas, these codes have higher base value. Coders are required to use these codes to report procedure on multiple areas and bill with higher base value for maximized reimbursement.
- Appending corresponding Modifies: Modifiers provide additional information on the procedural coder. CPT codes should be reported with appropriate modifiers.
- Coding CPT and HCPCS Codes: Accurate and detailed coding of appropriate procedural coders (CPT), HCPCS, modifiers and ICD-10 CM provides clear information on the procedure performed, detailed coding explains how and why the procedure was handled, making it easier for first pass rate.
- Coding Qualifying Circumstances: Qualifying circumstances are medical conditions that impact the administration of anesthesia service. Documenting and Coding Qualifying Circumstances increases the reimbursement rate of the claim.
While diligently following all these guidelines and regulations can help increase your cash flow, it can be cumbersome to handle them effectively while still keeping up with the ongoing updates and changes. However outsourcing your Anesthesia billing to an experienced medical billing company can reduce denials, low payments, rejections and entitle you for higher reimbursement.
About MGSI
MGSI is a leading provider of medical billing services providing complete Anesthesia RCM solutions to over 600 physicians clients on the whole across the US. MGSI is a multi – specialty medical billing company and Anesthesia is one of our top area of expertise. To know more about our services and about MGSI’s Anesthesia billing log in to www.mgsionline.com.