Part B Revenue Booster: 6 Surefire Tips Boost Your Bottom Line

Why This Topic Matters

Small coding and billing oversights can reduce reimbursement in an already difficult payment environment. The article helps readers recognize the major operational areas where practices may be losing revenue and why keeping coding information current is important.

Article Sections

1. Revenue pressures in physician practices

   An overview of the reimbursement challenges affecting practices and the financial environment that makes accurate coding and billing more important.

2. 6 tips to find missed revenue

   A set of practice-management suggestions covering code awareness, new code updates, denial follow-up, ancillary billing, contract review, and modifier awareness.

3. Understand the code definition

   A discussion of why a code’s meaning and description should be reviewed regularly when billing and charging are set up.

4. Update new codes immediately

   Guidance on incorporating newly released codes into practice systems and keeping software and charge tools current.

5. Keep track of your denials

   An explanation of the importance of reviewing denied claims and not treating unpaid balances as automatic write-offs.

6. Review ancillary codes

   A section on ancillary service billing and the need to verify that the correct current codes are being used for related services.

7. Analyze your managed care contracts

   A look at how contract language tied to Medicare payment changes can affect practice reimbursement.

8. Understand modifiers

   General guidance on modifier awareness, avoiding overuse, and applying modifiers only when appropriate.