Further Clarification on the E/M Changes Now in Effect

In response to receiving even more questions after last week’s eblast (and becoming more confused myself), I thought it would be best to reach out to my dear friend and colleague Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman (Lehrman Consulting, LLC). On December 30th I asked. . .“I was wondering if you could provide some additional insight regarding how…

The clock is ticking (the 10-day count down began on December 27th when President Trump signed the new Coronavirus stimulus package) for the SBA to issue regulations including the date that it will begin accepting applications for the next round of PPP funding from lenders. In the meantime, you will want to start collecting records…

As if we didn’t have enough to worry about! Yesterday I answered a call from a mildly panicked podiatrist after learning about a physician group (non-podiatry) in her building who received a disturbing email from MIOSHA (Michigan OSHA) a few days before Christmas. In a nutshell, this is what it said: “The Michigan Occupational Safety…

Putting in long hours over the weekend and into the Monday of Christmas week, leaders in the House and Senate finally reached an agreement on another pandemic relief bill package. This time to the tune of $900 Billion (the second largest federal stimulus package after the $2 Trillion CARES Act passed in March). President Trump…

What’s your plan? For more than a year now and especially over the last few months we have been learning about the significant changes to Evaluation and Management (E/M) services set to begin on January 1, 2021. The American Medical Association (AMA), American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), and an abundance of other medical resource organizations…

Over the weekend I received the first of what is shaping up to be many inquiries regarding the same subject, holiday bonuses. After sending a group text to obtain perspective from his colleagues that read; Anyone have any thoughts about holiday gifts/bonuses for staff this year? 1. Same as usual  2. More than usual  3.…

Almost daily I receive calls and emails about a patient who we find out has tested positive after being treated in the office and exposed, and/or potentially exposed employees. Doctors and managers are asking how they should handle these situations (how many days the employee should be out of work, if they are responsible for…

In case you are having trouble maintaining patient social distancing in your office (in common areas such as the waiting room) please feel free to use the below linked document and edit to fit your needs. If you are billing 99072 you should document your exact COVID protocols (clearly demonstrating the time, efforts and expenses…

To follow up on the recent communications regarding the use of 99072, I wanted to share some more helpful information and another example of documentation that needs to be included in your chart notes. Create your own “care plan” when billing 99072, by recording all the efforts being made (above and beyond pre-COVID clinic protocols)…

Following my recent emails regarding CPT code 99072 it has become apparent that many practices have become lax in their COVID-19 screening, visit and follow-up protocols. As more and more physicians are utilizing this code, and starting to see varying reimbursement from private payers, it is imperative to re-establish protocols and to document the actions…