decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2010 Issue 1 (January)
Prepare for 2010: A coder’s resource checklist
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Article Overview
This article is a resource-oriented checklist for coders and practices preparing for a new coding year. It highlights where to look for updates across major coding systems, payer fee schedules, Medicare reference files, compliance materials, and audit guidance from government and professional organizations. It is useful for coding staff, billers, compliance personnel, and practice managers who need to track annual changes and maintain current reference materials.
Why This Topic Matters
Keeping coding references current helps practices stay aligned with annual code set updates, payer requirements, and audit priorities. The checklist points readers to the main sources used to monitor changes that affect everyday coding, reimbursement, and compliance workflows.
Article Sections
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New procedure codes and diagnosis updates
Covers where to find annual updates to procedure and diagnosis coding references and related online guidance resources.
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Fee schedules and relative value file
Discusses Medicare fee schedule resources and a related reference file used to review billing-related information at the code level.
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CCI policy updates
Summarizes Medicare’s annual policy manual updates and the importance of checking the latest version.
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OIG audit plans
Points readers to the Office of Inspector General’s annual work plan and its role in identifying audit priorities.
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Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs)
Identifies RAC-related resources, including jurisdiction information and contractor issue pages.
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More government audit findings
References additional government fraud alerts, bulletins, and other oversight guidance sources.
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AMA code updates
Highlights ongoing AMA resources for tracking annual code updates, corrections, and new code releases.
What You Will Learn
- Where to look for annual procedure and diagnosis code updates
- Which Medicare resources are useful for fee schedule review
- How compliance and audit-related government resources are organized
- What types of coding reference materials practices should monitor during the year
- Which organizations publish recurring updates relevant to coding staff
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance personnel
- Practice managers
- Revenue cycle teams
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