2005 claims error rate halved, but correct coding still a problem

Why This Topic Matters

It helps coding and compliance professionals understand where Medicare claim errors were declining, where errors remained concentrated, and how CMS was viewing documentation and E/M coding performance.

Article Sections

1. Claims error rate trends and CERT review

   Summarizes the reported change in Part B claims errors and describes the annual CERT review process and documentation-related factors discussed by CMS.

2. Correct coding and evaluation and management claims

   Focuses on correct coding as a continuing issue and discusses broader difficulty areas involving hospital visits and evaluation and management claims.

3. Hospital visit coding and improper payment findings

   Covers the hospital visit claims discussed in the article and the related improper payment findings cited by CMS officials.