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<title>Michele Redmond - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Michele_Redmond</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:01:17 -0600</pubDate>
<image><title>Michele Redmond - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Michele_Redmond</link>
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<copyright>Copyright 2012 EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved.</copyright>
<description><![CDATA[Michele Redmond and her mother/partner own and operate a medical billing business in Upstate New York.  They offer an informational website, a free monthly newsletter, and a free forum for medical billing services, doctors offices, and people with insurance billing problems.  Michele and her mother have authored several articles, 12 books, and e-books on the subject of medical billing and starting a medical billing business.  She lives with her husband and three daughters in Rome, N Y.]]></description>
<lastBuildDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:44:13 -0500</lastBuildDate>
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<title>Medicare Announces Charging for Enrollment</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6536039</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6536039</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:44:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medicare will start charging fees for some enrollment applications. Wow, I'm not sure why this surprised me so much but when I saw this email I was surprised. Medicare is going to start charging providers who submit enrollment applications? Well it's not all providers, but still it is going to affect many. But the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) announced that effective Friday, March 25, 2011 Medicare Administrative Contractors will begin collecting application fees for certain provider/supplier enrollment applications. This is for both paper and online, or PECOS, applications.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Proper Use of the 59 Modifier</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6538282</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6538282</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:11:22 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people do not really understand modifiers and when they need to be used. A modifier should never be used just to get higher reimbursement. It shouldn't be just added on to get a code paid. Modifiers should be used when they are required to describe more accurately the procedure performed or service rendered. The definition of the 59 modifier per the CPT manual is as follows:]]></description>
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<item>
<title>HIPAA 5010 - What It Is and How It Will Affect You</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6538132</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6538132</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:17:08 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Well, most of you should know what 5010 is and how it will affect you. If you don't you must have at least heard about it. It seems that all insurance carrier publications are overflowing with confusing information on this transition and the quickly approaching deadline. So we are going to try to break it down for those who still don't really understand what it is and if they need to do something.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Handling Denials For No Coverage or Coverage Terminated</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6537874</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6537874</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:07:14 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One of the most important parts of billing is handling denials. Many providers' offices don't handle denials and end up losing thousands of dollars a year as a result. In fact, I saw a statistic once that said that 47% of denied claims don't ever get appealed. That is outrageous! Obviously based on that statistic the insurance companies have a great incentive to deny claims.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Stop the Bleeding! - Ways to Prevent Unnecessary Loss of Income During These Hard Times</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6538294</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6538294</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:04:55 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[For most Americans, whether or not the government has officially declared these times as a recession or a depression, things are a little tougher than they were 10 years ago. This includes doctors. Many patients think that all doctors are living good and aren't hurting like "the rest of us" but that isn't true. Doctors are feeling the pinch now too. After all there are a lot of expenses in running a medical office, especially with all of the changes going on with EMR and ICD 10.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Training a Medical Biller</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6538267</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6538267</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:25:59 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Training to become a medical biller can be overwhelming. Whether you are an employer who needs to train employees or you are looking to become a medical biller, good training is crucial. When we have a new employee the training process is intense. It is important that the new employee learn how we do things, and become as self sufficient as possible as quickly as possible.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Denial for Timely Filing</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6538120</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6538120</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:18:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Each insurance carrier has guidelines for filing claims in a timely fashion. Some are as short as 30 days and some can be as long as 2 years. It is important to follow these guidelines or your claims may be denied for timely filing. Claims are often denied for timely filing when the claim actually was submitted in a timely fashion but not received by the insurance carrier. There are many reasons this can happen but the important part is how the biller responds to the denial. Sometimes claims are denied for timely filing when they were not filed within the timely filing period. This can be a problem.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Billing Insurance Claims for Autism</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6538142</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6538142</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:26:19 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We recently had someone ask us to post about diagnoses that are hard to get services reimbursed for, specifically mental health diagnoses. It is not terribly common, at least not in our experience, but it does happen. Some insurance plans, such as self funded plans, actually spell out exactly what they will and will not cover, sometimes right down to the diagnosis. It seems like it should be discriminatory but it isn't.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Medical Billing - A Tough Business</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6537907</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6537907</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:40:11 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medical Billing can be a tough business. You can work your butt off, put your heart into it, do a great job and still fly under the radar - but not on purpose. Some providers don't ever acknowledge you when you are doing a great job. Don't get me wrong, it's not all of them. There are always those very appreciative ones that praise you all the time and do recognize the work you do. They are gold. But there are the rest of the providers, the ones that no matter what you do will not give you any recognition. Never comment on the work you do, or show any signs of appreciation. And the minute anything at all goes wrong, whether it's your fault or not, are right there to jump down your throat without even getting all the facts.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Handling Denials for Duplicate Service</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6537900</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6537900</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:25:39 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is not unusual at all to receive a denial stating that the claim you sent is being denied as a duplicate but you have no record of receiving payment for that service. There are many reasons this can happen. Often billers don't know what to do about such a denial. Here is what to consider. First is the claim being billed by a billing service or in a medical office by the staff? In our situation as a billing service the first possibility is that the claim was processed but the EOB was not passed on to the billing service so the claim was resubmitted.]]></description>
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<title>Mental Health Parity - How It Affects Us</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6535903</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6535903</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:45:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In the past, many insurance carriers used to discriminate against mental health services by having different benefits for mental health than for medical services. For example, a patient could have a plan that paid 80% of covered charges for any medical services, but the insurance only paid a flat $10 for a mental health visit and the patient was responsible for the rest. The patient responsibility in some cases exceeded 80%. Many people felt this was a blatant form of health insurance discrimination.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Why You Need a Compliance Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6526249</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6526249</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:19:39 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most billing services know and understand the importance of having a well written contract but not all realize that they also should have a compliance plan in place. A compliance plan is for the protection of both the billing service and the provider and it defines the policies and procedures followed by the billing service. Each provider that they bill for should be given a copy of their compliance plan, and the plan should be reviewed on a regular basis. Improper billing practices can lead to civil or criminal offenses.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Use EMR Free and Pocket $44K</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/6526208</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/6526208</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:03:05 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sound to good to be true? I've always said there is no such thing as a free lunch, but I think I've found an exception to that. With all the talk about EMR and the deadlines for switching, I finally took some time to do some research. We are strictly a billing office, so we aren't directly affected by EMR, but our providers are! So it will affect us to, in the long run. Anyway, what I found out was quite interesting.]]></description>
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<title>Medicare Audits On Chiropractors</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5399502</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5399502</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:11:56 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[National Government Services implemented a pre-edit audit that affects all chiropractors in New York and Connecticut effective 10/14/2010. This pre-audit causes notes to be requested for all claims submitted with CPT codes 98940 and 98941. We do not bill for all the chiropractors in New York and Ct, but the ones we do bill are are outraged.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Controlling Chaos in the Medical Billing Office</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5399741</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5399741</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:54:24 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Whether you are a medical billing service, an employee in a doctor's office, a provider or doctor, or some other worker in the medical billing field, it is so much better if you are proactive instead of reactive. We find that most offices operate in a reactive mode, including ours at one time. If you or your office is reactive, most of the day is spent putting out fires and dealing with what comes up. The day cannot be planned out and regular work usually falls behind. Something or things that needed to get done - didn't. Basically your business or office is operating out of your control.]]></description>
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<title>CMS 1500 Form Billing Tip Completing Boxes 12 and 13</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5184863</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5184863</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:41:14 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Boxes 12 & 13 on the CMS 1500 form are very important and often overlooked. When I say overlooked I mean that most don't understand the importance of the boxes, and just blindly fill them in. It is important to understand what they mean, and make sure they are completed because they can seriously affect claims payment if not completed properly.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>E and O Insurance</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5184926</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5184926</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:24:38 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What is E&O Insurance and why would you need it for your Medical Billing Service? Very good question! E&O Insurance, or errors and omissions insurance would cover your business for any claims made against you that arise as a question of your performance as a billing service. So, if you have a provider that decides to sue you for money that they feel that they lost as a direct result of you either doing something wrong, or not doing something that you were supposed to do, the E&O Insurance would cover you.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Protect Your Business With Your Medical Billing Service Contract</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/5184786</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/5184786</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:59:51 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many new billing services ask us for a sample contract or a copy of our contract. Using a sample contract or somebody else's contract is not a good idea. It would be like taking somebody else's will, whiting out their name and writing in yours. The only time it will hurt you is when you die, and then your family could be in trouble. The same can be said of a sample contract. If nothing bad ever happens, the sample contract is fine. But if a problem occurs it may not work out so well.]]></description>
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<title>Individual NPI Number in Box 24J For Medicare Claims</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4730427</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4730427</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:13:35 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When billing insurance claims to Medicare, it can get a little tricky. Medicare has many rules which are not required by commercial insurance companies. Since NPI numbers were required on all claims in 2008 there has been some confusion.]]></description>
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<title>Dealing With Overpayments When Billing Medical Claims</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4730412</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4730412</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:03:10 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Sometimes a provider is reimbursed too much money for the services provided which results in an overpayment. Sometimes the overpayment is made by the insurance carrier and sometimes it is made by the patient. In either case, it is important that the overpayment be returned to the appropriate person or carrier.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Medicare's New Timely Filing Rules</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4730395</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4730395</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:20:07 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medicare has always had the most relaxed rules regarding timely filing. Under the old rules Medicare claims could be submitted for the last quarter of the year prior to the previous year - which means that claims for dates of service 10/1/08 or after can be submitted up to December 31st of 2010. There was a 10% penalty for any claims older than one year, but they would still be paid on. That has come to an end.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>CMS - Medicare PECOS Ruling May Affect Payments by Medicare</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4730353</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4730353</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:12:32 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medicare's new deadline of July 6, 2010 says that all ordering and referring providers must be enrolled in the PECOS system or claims may be rejected and payments denied. Unfortunately this can affect not only the doctor who is referring but the specialist he referred the patient to. Many providers are not even aware of what the PECOS system is.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Make Your Marketing Efforts For Your Medical Billing Service Count</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4394517</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4394517</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:45:05 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Marketing your medical billing service is a very important step to running a successful medical billing business. Many new billers think that marketing consists of sending out 100 letters offering your service to providers but if you want to be successful at marketing, you need to use techniques and systems that work.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Tips to Surviving Medicare Audits</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4394776</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4394776</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:44:28 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Nobody wants to hear the word "audit" but unfortunately they are a necessary evil. Medicare uses audits both internal and external to reduce or eliminate fraud and waste.]]></description>
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<title>Using Modifiers Correctly</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4394451</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4394451</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:32:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We get a lot of questions regarding the correct use of modifiers. Well, actually the questions are usually more on the lines of "One of my services was denied, what modifier can I use to get the service paid?" The first thing I want to make clear is that it is never okay to add a modifier strictly to get a service paid. ]]></description>
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<title>Billing For an Individual Provider Under a Group - How NPI# and Enrollment Status Affect the Payment</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4384278</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4384278</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:22:28 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We often get questions about billing for providers who are working for a group. It is important to understand not only the difference between the rendering provider NPI# and the billing provider NPI#, but also how the provider is set up with each insurance carrier.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Using Both EIN and SS Numbers For Medical Claims Submissions As a Tax Identifier</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/4077876</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/4077876</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2010 15:16:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When a medical provider decides to change over from billing insurance carriers under a social security number to an EIN number, problems arise. Make sure you do it the right way or your accountant may freak out.]]></description>
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<title>Coding to the Highest Level of Specificity</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2963753</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2963753</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:54:22 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Insurance carriers often deny claims for not being coded to the highest level of specificity.  As many billers are not coders they often don't understand what has gone wrong or how to fix it.  Learn how to remedy this problem here.]]></description>
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<title>GW Modifier For Care Unrelated to Hospice Terminal Care</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2630964</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2630964</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many billers think that if a patient is a Hospice patient that they cannot get reimbursed for services if they are not reimbursed by the Hospice carrier. But actually there is a modifier, GW, that indicates that the care is unrelated to the patient's terminal condition. In order for a patient to receive Hospice services they must have a life expectancy of six months or less if the terminal illness or disease runs its normal course.]]></description>
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<title>DME Suppliers Must Be Accredited by 9-30-2009</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2630954</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2630954</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:08:27 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medicare is mandating that all DME suppliers become accredited in order to continue to become reimbursed by Medicare DME carriers for supplies given to Medicare recipients. Accreditation is the process in which an independent organization evaluates a healthcare provider and certifies that the healthcare provider meets certain quality standards.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Submitting Out of Network Medical Insurance Claims</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2422513</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2422513</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:46:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you are trying to submit medical insurance claims for a provider who is out of network with the insurance carrier you will most likely run into some problems.  For example, if you need to call on the claim you may find that the insurance carrier will not even speak to you since you are out of network. This makes following up on the claim difficult.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Billing Workers Comp at the Correct Fee Schedule</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2268222</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2268222</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:47:01 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Workers comp insurance claims must be billed out at the workers comp fee schedule.  Even though most doctors bill medical insurance claims out at much higher price than they will be paid, workers comp does not allow this practice.  Keep from getting into trouble by following these practices.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>3 Key Things to Do When a Doctor Changes Practices</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2020835</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2020835</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:12:51 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many problems that we see practices or providers run into is when a doctor decides to change practices.  They don't realize what needs to be done to make sure payment for their services is made to the new practice.  There are 3 key things that need to be done when doctors switch practices.  Make sure you take care of these three important jobs before you change locations.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Are Drug and Alcohol Rehab Out of Network Payments a Problem?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1702083</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1702083</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:44:17 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Getting payment for rehab for drug and alcohol treatment when out of network can be a real problem.  The family may have had to pay thousands of dollars up front for the services and then tried to collect payment from the insurance company.  Here's how to get the insurance to pay.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>PT and Chiropractic Are Not Covered Concurrently</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1699585</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1699585</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:36:54 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most insurances, including workers comp & no-fault do not allow patients to be treated for the same condition with both chiropractic and physical therapy during the same time period. Sometimes the patient will not mention to the provider that they are already receiving treatment. Then the provider sees the patient, submits the claim, but gets denied since the patient is already receiving care. ]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Deductibles in Depth - Understanding Medical Deductibles</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1571744</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1571744</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:37:18 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people do not understand medical insurance deductibles, how they work, when and to whom they are paid.  Here's the inside scoop on how and when deductibles are applied.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Avoid Medicare Denials by Notifying Medicare of Any Changes in Your Information</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1579736</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1579736</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:44:15 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medicare requires that providers notify them when they make any changes to their office location, tax ID#, legal history, managing employees, or personal information.  The notification is suppose to be within 30 days of the change.  Many providers don't realize this until their Medicare payments suddenly stop for no apparent reason.  Prevent this problem by following these few rules.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>Avoid Delays in Your Medicare Application by Completing Forms Correctly</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1579642</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1579642</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:50:39 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When applying to become a Medicare Provider it is crucial that you complete the proper forms and that you complete them correctly.  If you do not complete the proper forms correctly it can cause delays in your application and can even cause your application to be closed.  If your application is closed you need to start completely over by resubmitting your application all over again.  Don't let your application get delayed.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Truth About Copays</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1574628</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1574628</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:07:29 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people get very confused by all the different ways that insurance companies process claims and how they calculate what the patient owes. It is crucial that the providers have someone in their office or a good billing service that knows how to read the eobs and is billing the patients correctly. Here is everything you need to know about copays.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Medicare Applications - Which Form is Used to Become a Medicare Provider</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1571609</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1571609</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:49:19 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medicare requires that you complete specific forms put out by CMS when applying to become a Medicare provider.  Sounds easy enough but have you seen the list of forms that they have?  How are you suppose to know the correct form to complete and once you figure that out, what fields on the form do you need to fill out?]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>PT-OT Caps Exception Process Extended to 12-31-2009</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1348484</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1348484</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:29:34 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 which was passes July 15, 2008 not only stopped the 10.6% pay cut for medical service providers, but also extended the exceptions process of physical therapists and occupational therapists caps.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What Should Your Billing Service Be Doing For You</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1332204</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1332204</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:29:26 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many providers today are choosing to outsource their billing. The billing process has become much more involved over the past few years and for many it makes sense to outsource. Between the software updates, required electronic filing of claims, NPI numbers, and other changes, it has become nearly impossible for providers to keep up.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>NPI Numbers and Legacy Numbers - New Rules As of May 23, 2008 For Billing Medical Insurance Claims</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1249915</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1249915</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:26:53 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[New rules for NPI numbers and legacy numbers are now in effect with Medicare when billing medical insurance claims.  As of May 23, 2008 Medicare is no longer accepting claims which don't meet the current rules.  Make sure you are entering your information correctly to avoid delays in your payments]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Prevent Down Coding By Insurance Companies On Medical Claims</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1180886</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1180886</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2008 13:58:47 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Downcoding of medical insurance claims is a common practice with insurance companies to reduce their payment to you.  Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it, but sometimes it is worth fighting.  Know when and how to fight this practice.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Basics of Medical Billing</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1045777</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1045777</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:13:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Whether you are planning on starting a medical billing business, already own a medical billing business, work for a billing service or in a medical office, it is crucial that you completely understand the entire billing process.  From the time a patient schedules an appointment to the time that full payment is received, everyone who interacts with either the patient or the billing process can affect the payment.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Take Your Medical Billing Business to the Next Level</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1045791</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1045791</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:38:43 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[If you want to take on more medical billing business, you need to prepare.  Look into the challenges you will meet and set out a plan.  ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Marketing Your Medical Billing Business</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1044775</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1044775</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:00:21 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Increase the income of your medical billing business by using our proven techniques for signing up new clients.  Have you wished you could sign up more clients?  Do you want to work full time at medical billing and quit your 9 - 5 job?  Maybe you want to hire an employee and need a little more business to bring in enough income.  Do you know how to market your business?  ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How To Start a Medical Billing Business</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1044753</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1044753</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:59:25 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Do you want to work from home?  Do you have some experience with medical billing?  Here's the book that can show you exactly what it takes to start your own medical billing business.  There is currently a huge need for medical billing.  And it is growing every day. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>CMS 1500 Form - Completing it Correctly</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1043647</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1043647</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:34:44 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[CMS 1500 forms are the universal claim forms used by medical providers to submit claims for their services to the insurance carriers.  Make sure your CMS 1500s are completed correctly to insure proper payment for your medical services.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>DME Claims Denied For NPI Issue</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/925887</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/925887</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:21:58 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We've been seeing many DME claims being denied by Medicare for strange NPI issues that made no sense.  You won't believe what the solution to the problem is.  We had to dig deep to find the answer we needed.  If you submit DME or durable medical equipment insurance claims, you must read this.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Charging Patients For Deductibles, Copays, and Coinsurance Amounts</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/922951</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/922951</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:15:07 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Are you sure  you are staying within the limits of the law when you bill or don't bill your medical patients a copay, a deductible, or coinsurance?  Many offices lose money by not collecting all of the money that is due them from patient responsibilities.  What about hardship patients?  Make sure you are staying legal.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Facility Insurance Billing - Billing Insurance on UB04 Forms Correctly</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/839024</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/839024</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:39:46 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Facility billing is insurance billing for hospitals, inpatient or outpatient clinics, and other offices such as ambulatory surgery centers. This insurance billing is not the same as billing for a regular doctor or specialist.  Facility billing is required to be submitted on UB04 forms instead of the more common CMS 1500 forms. The information required on UB04 forms is different than the information required on the CMS 1500.  Make sure you are submitting your UB04 forms correctly. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Billing Medical Claims Electronically - Are You Reading Your Electronic Reports?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/830732</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/830732</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:31:12 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We have finally reached the stage where most offices are billing at least some of their medical claims electronically. But the more important question is, are they reading their electronic reports? ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Electronic Medical Billing - Should You Use A Clearing House Or Bill Directly To Insurance Companies</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/830708</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/830708</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:13:21 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most people think that the only choice is whether to bill on paper, or submit your claims electronically. Actually, if you decide to file your claims electronically, that just opens the door to many other decisions that must be made. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Third Pary Companies Trying to Reduce Your Reimbursement</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/798575</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/798575</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:30:32 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Have you been contacted by a third party company telling you that all you need to do is sign a faxed paper and they will release payment to you immediately for services that you provided to a patient?  Make sure you read the fine print!  They are taking a chunk of your money for this supposedly great deal of getting paid quicker.  You will want to read this article before signing anything!]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Starting Your Own Medical Practice - What Needs To Be Done</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/772084</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/772084</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:17:53 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Whether you are just out of college or you've decided to start up a private practice after working for someone else, there is much to be done.  The one thing that they don't teach in medical school is how to run a business and let's face it, a medical office is a business.  It isn't as simple as finding a door to hang your sign on and waiting for patients to come in.  There is a lot of paperwork that needs to be done prior to opening your doors. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Bundling Medical Insurance Codes - Stop Loosing Money To &quot;Bundled&quot; Medical Insurance Claims</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/770440</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/770440</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:22:55 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Stop loosing money to bundled insurance cpt codes by proper billing of medical insurance claims.  Make sure your claims are submitted correctly on the initial submission with the use of proper modifiers.  When codes are bundled, go through the appeal process.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>NPI Deadline Extension?  How Does the CMS 1500 and NPI Deadline Extension Affect Your Office</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/544631</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/544631</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Apr 2007 07:28:28 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There is a lot of buzz out there about the CMS, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, extending the deadline for NPI's from May 23, 2007 to May 23, 2008 but what does that mean to the average medical provider's office?  Does that mean that you don't need to apply for your NPI number for another year? ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Mandated Electronic Claims Filing - Some Insurance Carriers Mandate Electronic Claims Filing</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/522632</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/522632</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:59:05 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[They've been talking about it forever but it looks like it might finally have arrived.  Insurance companies are starting to mandate electronic submissions of insurance claims.  We've gotten our first notice that medical insurance claims must be filed electronically in 2007.

]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>NPI Number Individual or Group - Which One Do I Use?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/475447</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/475447</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 Mar 2007 21:08:34 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There is so much talk about getting your NPI number.  You must have it by May 23rd or your cash flow can be severely affected.  Don't wait till the last minute to get it because you will need to report it to all of the different insurance carriers.  But if you had to apply for two NPI numbers, an individual one and a group one, which one do you use to submit claims?
]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Taxonomy Code For NPI Number-What Is A Taxonomy Code And Why Is It Important?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/453343</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/453343</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:22:31 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Need to pick a taxonomy code for NPI Number?  Picking the correct taxonomy code is extremely important because it can directly affect your reimbursement  by insurance companies.  ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>UB92 Forms Obsolete - Changing to UB-04 Forms in 2007</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/340936</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/340936</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Oct 2006 17:21:27 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[UB92s are no longer going to be accepted for  facilities billing medical insurance claims by the insurance companies.  The UB92 is being replaced by a new form that will allow for reporting the newly required NPI or National Provider Identifier Number.  ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>HCFA 1500 Form Becomes Obsolete in 2007 - Welcome CMS 1500</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/334962</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/334962</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:25:46 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There seems to be a lot of changes in the world of medical billing and here comes another one!  The classic red and white HCFA 1500 form is soon to be outdated.  It won't be anything drastic- just a few small changes.  The HCFA 1500 will be obsolete and the new replacement is called the CMS 1500.

]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Electronic Billing Clearing House - How to Choose the Right One For Your Needs</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/287197</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/287197</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2006 16:34:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How do you find the electronic billing clearing house that is right for you?  Here are some guidelines for choosing a clearing house to submit your medical claims.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Unpaid Medical Claims - Should you just Resubmit them to get them Paid?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/280571</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/280571</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2006 10:07:36 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When you realize that a claim hasn't been paid should you just resubmit it and hope it gets paid the second time?  Even though in many cases an unpaid claim can mean that the insurance company never received the claim, it is not a good idea to simply resubmit a claim just because you show that it hasn't been paid.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>NPI Number - Who Is Required to Have Them by May 23, 2007</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/279290</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/279290</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:22:40 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Don't wait until May 23, 2007 to figure out if you need an NPI number.  All covered healthcare providers will need an NPI number.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Billing Code Books: ICD Books, CPT Books, HCPCS - What Are They?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/274287</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/274287</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Aug 2006 19:24:06 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Are you confused by all the different medical billing code books out there?  Here is a description of the different billing code books and what they each are.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ub92 Medical Claim Forms - When And How To Use Them</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/272557</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/272557</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2006 10:46:10 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Everything you need to know abouts UB92 forms; what they are, when to use them, how to fill them out.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Hcfa 1500 Forms - When To Use Them, Where To Buy Them, How Much Should They Cost?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/272539</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/272539</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2006 10:24:09 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What is a HCFA 1500 form and when do you need to use them?  What do they cost and where can you buy them?  Find out all you need to know about HCFA 1500 forms.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>C4 Forms - What Are They And When Do You Use Them?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/272232</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/272232</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2006 08:13:52 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What is a C4 Form and when do you need to use them?  A C4 form is a medical claim form that is used for billing services that are related to an on the job injury.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>NPI Number - Do I Need One and Where Do I Get It?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/267340</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/267340</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 13 Aug 2006 08:29:19 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There is a lot of talk out there in the medical community about NPI numbers.  But what is an NPI number?   Do I really need one, and where do I go to get one?]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Doctor Stop Losing Money - 6 Ways To Stop The Bleeding</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/221181</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/221181</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:49:18 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Are you one of those doctors who thinks that if you want more money you need to see more patients?  The reality is that you just need to get paid for ALL of the patients that you are already seeing. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Bill From Your Doctor - To Pay or Not To Pay</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/221122</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/221122</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:29:17 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What do you do if you receive a bill from your doctor for services that you think should have been paid for by your insurance company?  What if your doctor states that your insurance company has denied payment, so you are responsible.  What if it's hundreds of dollars?  What if it's for an old date of service?  Do you pay the bill? ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Hiring A Good Employee - What To Ask In The Interview</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/221210</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/221210</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jun 2006 09:29:16 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Is the difficult task of hiring new employees left up to you?  Hate trying to figure out who would be a good employee?  The key to finding a good employee is a good interview system.  Here are some guidelines for interviewing potential employees.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>HIPAA And How It Will Affect Your Office</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/195696</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/195696</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 12 May 2006 14:36:52 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How does HIPAA actually affect your medical office and who are the HIPAA police?  Here are the specific actions required for your office to be HIPAA Compliant.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Submitting Medical Insurance Claims - Which Form Do I Use?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/191087</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/191087</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 May 2006 11:44:11 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When it comes to submitting medical insurance claims to the insurance companies, it is important to file the claims on the appropriate forms.   The most common medical insurance form is the HCFA 1500. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Medical Billing - What's All The Hype About?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/191039</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/191039</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 May 2006 16:24:50 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[We see so many ads for Medical Billing. Earn lots of money! Work from home! No experience needed! The ads say anyone can make lots of money doing medical billing, but is it really true?]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Medical Billing Software - How to Choose the Right One for Your Needs</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/186565</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/186565</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2006 15:06:31 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[With so many choices of medical billing software on the market, it is important to pick the one that best fits your needs.  Here's a list of the things you need to consider before purchasing your medical billing software.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Medical Billing Services</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/172592</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/172592</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:39:29 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Medical billing services allow medical professionals to be more productive. Companies that specialize in medical billing allow a medical professional to get his money quickly which helps cash flow.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Is Electronic Billing The Best Way To Send Your Medical Claims?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/158960</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/158960</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Mar 2006 12:49:07 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Will all doctors one day be forced to submit their medical claims electronically?  Do the benefits of submitting claims electronically outway the pains of change?  ]]></description>
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