Proper documentation, coding and claim submission are imperative to your financial success. To make sure you code correctly and run an efficient practice, plan to attend these eight coding courses at AAO 2015, Nov. 14 to 17 in Las Vegas. You’ll discover new strategies and get the most up-to-date tools for coding.
Instruction Courses
All you need is an Academy Plus course pass to get access to these AAOE instructions courses. For more information, including dates and location, search the online program by course code.
- E&M vs. Eye Codes: Who Is the Winner? (Course # 503) — Learn how to best code exam visits with this course. Academy coding experts will teach you how to properly choose and best use an E&M or Eye code based on the documentation and payer.
- Code This Superbill (Course # 405) — Review common denials and learn how to get claims paid correctly the first time. This course will also cover modifiers, testing services and major and minor procedure documentation, plus the proper use of ICD-10 codes.
- Steps for Successful Retina Coding (Course # 628) — Retina practices can have very complex revenue cycles. This course will teach you what affects reimbursement the most and how to apply tools for success in your own practice.
- Steps to Successful Surgical Coding (Course # 453) — Get a step-by-step guide to submitting surgical claims correctly. Examine real-life cases and learn expert tips on how to accurately select CPT codes and identify other nuances that affect proper billing.
- Comprehensive Cataract Coding (Course # 255) — Recommended for practices with a focus on cataract surgery, this course covers correct coding for complex surgeries and surgical complications. Learn to distinguish between Medicare and non-Medicare payer documentation rules prior to surgery, how to identify complex surgery and which complications are separately billable or postop.
- CodeFest (Course # 600) — This fun, exciting and interactive course covers all aspects of ophthalmic coding and all subspecialties. Using an automated response system, the audience will compete against two groups chosen at the beginning of the course. This session always has a great turnout, so plan to arrive early.
Half-Day Coding Sessions
Get in-depth instruction during these three-hour sessions taught by Academy coding experts. Half-day sessions are not included in the Academy Plus course pass and require a separate ticket.
- Build Your Own Audit Tool Kit (Course # 15CODE1) — Most physicians will face a federal or commercial payer audit at some time during their career. Learn the keys to proactive preparation and get a step-by-step process of what to do when you get a request for records.
- Coding Camp (Course # 15CODE2) — Accurate documentation and claim submission is the life-blood of the practice. This course will walk you through 2016 coding updates and answer common coding scenarios. You’ll also learn about the most common ICD-10 denials and how to avoid perpetuating these errors.
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About the authors: Sue Vicchrilli, COT, OCS, is the Academy’s director of coding and reimbursement and the author of EyeNet’s “Savvy Coder” column and AAOE’s Coding Bulletin, Ophthalmic Coding Coach and Ophthalmic Coding series. Jenny Edgar, CPC, CPCO, OCS, is the Academy’s coding specialist. She oversees the Academy’s Chart Auditing Service and is also a contributing author to the Ophthalmic Coding Coach and Ophthalmic Coding series.