MEDICAL BUSINESS JOURNALM

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T h e M o n t h l y N e w s l e t t e r f o r t h e I n f o r m e d H e a l t h c a r e P r o f e s s i o n a l

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In this Issue

Need CEUs?ICD-10 Online Course

Spring Quarter WebinarsContribute to the MBJ

Instructor OpportunitiesJoin us on FacebookCMS News Updates

Health Care Innovation AwardsJune is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness

Extended Coverage for Medicare PatientsLand an interview with a well thought out resume

Coding Corner: ICD-10MMI CEU Options and Discounts

Having trouble landing an interview? Follow the resume tips on page 4

Facebook.com/MMIFanAre you a fan of MMI on Facebook? Hurry up and “Like” us to stay updated in the healthcare field. MMI frequently posts helpful resources, upcoming webinars offered by CMS and the AAPC, and Facebook promotions. Just this year MMI has given away a brand new iPad and a $150 gift certificate, just for participating in the conversation on the page!

Don’t miss out- visit www.facebook.com/MMIFan, click “Like”, and get social!

Contribute to the MBJThe Medical Business Journals are the monthly newsletter for the informed healthcare professional, issued by the Medical Management Institute. As of

November 2011, the MBJ’s are available online under your “Membership Corner”, or

if you are already an ARHCP member, available under your “Membership” tab. You can also access all future and archived MBJ issues by visiting

w w w . i s s u u . c o m /mmiclasses.

If you would like to receive all future Medical Business Journals through

regular mail, please e m a i l t h e M B J a t

MBJ@mmiclasses.com to verify the shipping address you would like it sent to, or you can call MMI at 866-892-2765 extension 240.

Careers at MMIWe are proud to announce that the Medical Management Institute is looking to expand its roster of qualified, compas s ionate, and pro f e s s i ona l instructors for the second half of 2012 and beyond. If you feel that you are qualified to be a part of our instructor team for live instruction, student correspondence

(including question and answer), webinar instruction, or content creation, please contact us.

Email instructor@mmiclasses.com, or call 866-892-2765 extension 210.

Need CEUs?Finding ways to accumulate CEUs while gaining educational insight is not an easy task. That is why the Medical Management Institute has teamed up with highly motivated and seasoned instructors to bring you these amazing offers:

ICD-10 Comprehensive CoursePrice: $599, or $999 with iPad

CEU worth: 14 ARHCP & AHIMA

This is a pre-recorded, online course taught by Dorothy Steed, who has over 36 years of experience in both hospital and physician billing, coding, reimbursement and claims management, specializing in Medicare requirements. This course includes the 2012 ICD-10-CM codebook along with the AHIMA student workbook.

Spring Quarter WebinarsPrice: $399, or $899 with iPad ($99 separately)

CEU worth: 12 ARHCP

These are 5 pre-recorded webinars available online at your convenience. Topics include:

Advanced Evaluation & Management, Inpatient Coding & Reimbursement Basics, Managing the Revenue Cycle, Patient Centered Medical Home, and ICD-10-PCS.

**Check out the last page of this issue for discounts!**

Medical Management Institute UpdatesFacebook, Careers, CEUs & More

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Editor-in-Chief: Carleigh ThomsonCopy Editor: Rob Hassett, RMC, Julia Scott, RMC, Carleigh ThomsonContributors: Bobby Keene, Rob Hassett, Carleigh ThomsonLayout and Design: Carleigh Thomson

The Medical Business Journal is a monthly source of up-to-date information on all issues affecting the healthcare industry. Its content ranges from medical coding and billing to healthcare reform legislature and beyond. The MBJ is not affiliated in any way with the Department of Health and Human Services, Medicare, or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services, and is not a substitute for individualized expert assistance. The CPT codes, descriptors, and modifiers are copyrighted by the American Medical Association. For more information, please call MMI at: (866) 892-2765

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June is PTSD MonthEducate yourself and spread awarenessPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder developed after experiencing or seeing a traumatic event which involved the threat of injury or death. According to the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, symptoms of PTSD fall into three main categories: 1. Reliving the event, which disturbs day-

to-day activity;2. Avoidance, which involves feeling

detached and isolated, and;3. Arousal, which involves difficulty

concentrating and being easily startled.

The month of June is a time to recognize these millions of Americans who are suffering through this debilitating and challenging condition, and to spread awareness.

To learn more about PTSD and to see how you can help, please visit the National Center for PTSD at: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/ptsd-awareness/ptsd_awareness_month.asp.

Here, you can learn about people’s personal struggles through the disorder, and learn how to educate yourself fully on how to help those suffering to seek treatment and how to spread awareness of this debilitating disorder.

Health Care Innovation AwardsPrograms are estimated to save $254 million On May 8, 2012, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of HHS announced the first 26 health care innovation awards. This is an effort to further support local communities to provide better care and lower costs by rewarding projects which will save money, deliver high quality medical care and enhance the health care workforce. According to the press release from the CMS Office of Public Affairs, the preliminary awardees, who were chosen for their innovative solutions to the current health care challengers, are expected to reduce health spending by $254 million over the next 3 years. The projects chosen include:

1. Emory University’s collaboration with area health systems. The project’s goal is to reduce the need to transfer patients from rural hospitals to critical care units in Atlanta by using tele-health technologies to link critical care units in rural Georgia to critical care doctors in Atlanta hospitals. The results of this project are said to be improved quality of care and money saved.

2. Courage Center, a program in Minneapolis-St. Paul that serves adults with disabilities and complex medical conditions. The project’s goal is to focus on the highest-cost Medicaid patients by creating a patient-centered medical home focused on these patients alone.

3. A University Hospitals of Cleveland initiative. This project’s goal is to use physician extension teams and tele-health to extend the expertise of an elite children’s hospital to local pediatric practices treating children with complex chronic conditions and behavioral health problems. The goal is to increase access and care coordination for children beyond the walls of the doctor’s office.

For additional information on the Health Care Innovation Awards, visit:

i nnovat i on s . cms. gov / in i t i a t i ve s /innovation-awards/project-profiles.html.

Extended CoverageHighlights cooperative effortsTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now covered for Medicare patients under certain conditions by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is good news for those suffering from aortic stenosis, as treatment is critical. Through TAVR, doctors can avoid invasive surgery by only needing to make a small opening in the leg. This new coverage decision is one of the first under a mutual memorandum of understanding between CMS and the FDA, showing cooperative efforts to increase access to treatment options.

“It’s yet another way we are supporting local communities now in their efforts to provide better care and lower cost.”

--Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

“We have a responsibility to help Americans who have lived through trauma, especially our nation’s service men and women who may be struggling with PTSD.  We owe them the care and resources they need to get well.”--Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

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Whether you are a seasoned biller and coder or are just trying to break into the field, getting hired in this job market requires a lot of time, effort, and creativity. You have to be comfortable with putting yourself out there through networking and becoming present on job boards. But to even get to this point you need to make sure that you have a solid, professional, and simple resume to send out to employers allowing you the opportunity for an interview. Below are some tips on how to create this unbeatable resume:

1. Include all of your contact information. This will be at the very top of your resume and should include your full name, street address, city, state, zip code, home phone number, cell phone number, and email address - basically, you want them to have every form of contact information. Your email address must be professional, preferably your first and last name. Don’t let something so easy to fix be the reason that your potential employer moves on to the next resume.

2. Showcase yourself. Whether this is your solid work experience in the field, your educational accomplish-ments, or your relatable skills and achievements, it needs to be the first section of your resume. The average resume is read in 10 seconds, so you want your most impressive experience and/or skills to be read first, keeping the position you are applying for in mind.

• Solid work experience. If you are a seasoned healthcare professional, this should be read first. Your experience should be viewed in reverse chronological order, which means your most recent position first- do not include any work experience that is un-related to the position being applied for.• Relatable Skills. These can simply be listed out, but they need to be geared towards the company and position you are going for while emphasizing your experience and/or knowledge in medical billing and coding. This is where you can include your typing speed, speaking more than one language, data entry platforms and software applications your are familiar with along with any verifiable achievements that you are proud to share, like any certificates or acknowledgements rewarded through a previous job or course. • Educational accomplishments. If you are changing careers or have any gaps in employment history, then you will want this to be the first section read in your resume. Here, you will include any degrees and/or certifications you have earned along

with any educational courses related to medical billing and coding. This is where you can state, if applicable, that you take a 50-question renewal exam every year on coding updates in order to maintain your RMC certification. You can also list the educational workshops, webinars and even conferences you have attended for gaining your CEUs, which demonstrates that you are actively engaged in your education.

• Objective. An objective is an extremely beneficial addition to a resume if you are attempting to change careers or have gaps in your employment history. Here, you can further detail your goals in your new career path, which the employer will appreciate.

3. Include a cover letter. This, like your work and educational experience, should be tailored towards the position you are applying for. You will need to research and include information about the company and why your personal qualities would be an asset.

Your resume should be no more than 2 pages long and prepared in a simple Word format so that it can be easily viewed on most computers. However, in order to even have the opportunity to have your resume seen, you need to have the guts to shamelessly put yourself out there.

60% of those who find jobs have located them through networking, so take advantage of the mass opportunities out there! If you have a certification, then you are most likely already a part of a membership base. Take advantage of their job boards by posting your resume and making yourself present in the conversations. Create an account through LinkedIn with a professional picture, and reach out to previous employers, col leagues and fr iends for recommendations. If you have graduated from a college or university, their placement offices are there to help you no matter how long ago you graduated. This is not the time to be shy; you never know who is aware of a job opening unless you get out there!

Remember- focus on your strengths. If you have a strong educational background, make sure to emphasize this. If you have strong work experience, then make this the main focus of your resume. An example of each resume follows, which further highlights the importance of taking the time to put together a well thought out resume.

And please don’t forget to consider us as one of your resources to reach out to- we would love to look over your resume and give you some pointers. You can always email us at student@mmiclasses.com, or give us a call at 866-892-2765.

Land an interview with a thought-out resumeBy Carleigh Thomson, Member Services Coordinator for the ARHCP

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Example Resume: Focus on solid work experience

Jane Doe3333 Main StreetCity, State 1111

Home PhoneCell Phone

Jane.Doe@emailaddress.com

Work Experience:

Medical CoderName of Hospital, City, State (2003-Present)• Responsible for out-patient coding for the medical center• Utilize HCPCS level II and ICD-9 for coding• Maintain 97 percent of accuracy and productive quality

Medical CoderName of Practice, City, State (1999-2003)• Reviewed the charts for admit and discharge date• Kept the system and documents of the office up-to-date• Ensured the charts for the dates of surgeries and operations

Medical Records AnalystName of Hospital, City, State (1990-1999)• Assembled medical records according to NSHD guidelines• Trained junior medical record personnel• Sorted and filed loose papers/correspondence in patient’s medical files

Skills and Achievements:

• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Office• Proficient in physician coding, inpatient hospital coding, outpatient coding, and facility coding• Able to type 65+ wpm• Effective communication and interpersonal skills• Strong knowledge of Anatomy & Medical Terminology

Education:

The Association of Registered Health Care Professionals (ARHCP)• Registered Medical Coder (RMC) Certification (May 2011-Present) -Annual 50 question renewal exam on coding updates

If you have strong work experience, showcase it by having it be the first section

Always list your experience in reverse-chronological order

Include skills that are applicable to the position-leave everything else out

If you have a college degree or have taken or attended any courses, webinars, or conferences in the healthcare field, include it here

Have a simple and professional email address- it is your main means of communication with your potential employer

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John Doe4444 Main StreetCity, State 2222

Home PhoneCell Phone

John.Doe@emailaddress.com

Objective:

To fill the position of Medical Coder at the “Name of Company”where I can utilize my exceptional educational experience and strong skill set.

Education:

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Certification (June 2012-Present)

The Association of Registered Health Care Professionals (ARHCP)Registered Medical Coder (RMC) Certification (May 2011-Present) -Annual 50 question renewal exam on coding updates

The Medical Management Institute (MMI)• CoderWeek (June 2012) -ICD-10-CM Training -Coding Certification Boot Camp covering CPT, ICD-9, and HCPCS usage• Spring Quarter (May 2012) -Advanced E&M, Inpatient Coding & Reimbursement Basics, Managing the Revenue Cycle• Registered Medical Coder (RMC) Certification Program (May-October 2011)• Winter Quarter (December 2011) -Meaningful Use Attestation, Implementing & Optimizing an ACO, PQRS Reporting, Implementing a New EHR, Next Steps: ICD-10

Skills and Certifications:

• Registered Medical Coder (ARHCP)• Registered Medical Manager (ARHCP)• Certified Professional Coder (AAPC)• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, and Office• Extremely knowledgable in regards to ICD-9, CPC-4, HCPCS, and DRG’s

Example Resume: Focus on educational accomplishments

Have a simple and professional email address- it is your main means of communication with your potential employer

Always list your experience in reverse-chronological order

While you may not have a lot of skills to list from work experience, you can by all means emphasize the credentials you have earned and kept, along with any topics you have kept updated in

Because you don’t have experience in the field or you have major gaps in your employment history, an objective is a great way to detail your goals in this new career path. Make sure to include the position and company name you are applying for.

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In regards to ICD-10, how will I code for all ‘other’ congenital abnormalities of the trachea and bronchi for conditions not specified in ICD-9? I’m currently using 748.3.

748.3 will expand into five more specific diagnosis codes when ICD-9 transitions to ICD-10. They are as follows:

Q31.1 - Congenital subglottic stenosisQ31.3 - LaryngoceleQ31.8 - Other congenital malformations of larynxQ32.1 - Other congenital malformations of tracheaQ32.4 - Other congenital malformations of bronchus

Will 784.7 (Epistaxis) be expanded for nosebleeds with the ICD-10 transition?

Fortunately, with the ICD-10 transition, you will only need to switch out the code you have been using with R04.0 to report nosebleeds with out any extensions. You should keep in mind though that you may be required by insurers to report which nostril was bleeding through the use of modifiers such as RT, LT, or 50 (bilateral).

Will both the 332.0 (Paralysis agitates) and 332.1 (Secondary Parkinsonism) codes for Parkinson’s disease be expanding in ICD-10?

Only 332.1 (Secondary Parkinsonism) will be expanding with the ICD-10 transition. New options will include:

G21 - Malignant neuroleptic syndromeG21.11 - Neuroleptic induced ParkinsonismG21.19 - Other drug induced secondary ParkinsonismG21.2 - Secondary Parkinsonism due to other external agentsG21.3 - Postencephalitic ParkinsonismG21.4 - Vascular ParkinsonismG21.8 - Other secondary ParkinsonismG21.9 - Secondary Parkinsonism, unspecified

332.0 will change to G20 (Parkinson’s disease).

Coding Corner ICD-10 Questions and Answers

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All coding questions are answered by the MMI instructor team

Please submit your coding questions to Coding Corner via email at MBJ@mmiclasses.com

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Need CEUs?

Register Online at: mmiclasses.com/commerce

MMI Spring Quarter12 ARHCP CEUs5 Pre-recorded webinars:

•Advanced E & M•Inpatient Coding & Reimbursement

Basics•Managing the Revenue Cycle•Patient Centered Medical Home•ICD-10-PCS

MMI ICD-10 Course

14 ARHCP/AHIMA CEUsExtensive online review of ICD-10

conventions and guidelines

Course Includes:

•AHIMA Student Workbook•2012 ICD-10-CM Codebook

Use Promo Code “SQMBJ” to receive a $99 discount!

Use Promo Code

“ICDMBJ” to

receive a $100

discount!

Terms & Conditions Apply. Both MBJ discount codes expire September 1, 2012. Cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions, or discounts.

Spring Q:Under the “Courses” tab

ICD-10:Under the “ICD-10” tab