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 8 courses at AAO 2017, Nov. 11 to 14 in New Orleans. The Academy’s top instructors will lead you through real-life examples and help build your confidence in submitting claims right the first time.
To access AAOE instruction courses, all you need is an Academy Plus course pass. For more information, including dates and locations, search the online program by course code.
1. E/M vs. Eye Codes: Who Is the Winner? (Course # 226—Sunday, Nov. 12, 2 to 3 pm). Get answers to this perennial coding question.. 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.
2. The Art of Auditing (Course # 262—Sunday, Nov. 12, 3:15 to 5:30 pm). Learn how to audit-proof your exams, testing services and procedures. Instructors will also review techniques for performing internal chart audits and show you how to ensure meet payer requirements.
3. Code This Superbill. Review common denials and learn how to get claims paid correctly the first time. These courses will also cover modifiers, testing services and major and minor procedure documentation, plus the proper use of ICD-10 codes.
- Code This Superbill: Modifiers (Course # 405—Monday, Nov. 13, 9 to 10 am)
- Code This Superbill: Glaucoma (Course # 433—Monday, Nov. 13, 10:15 to 11:15 am)
- Code This Superbill: Anterior Segment and Cornea (Course # 531—Monday, Nov. 13, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm)
- Code This Superbill: Retina (Course # 447—Monday, Nov. 13, 4:30 to 5:30 pm)
- Code This Superbill: Oculofacial (Course # 605—Tuesday, Nov. 14, 9 to 10 am)
4. Steps to Successful Surgical Coding (Course # 479—Monday, Nov. 13, 2 to 3 pm). Learn how to determine the appropriate code for billing ophthalmic surgery. Understanding this process will ensure you submit timely claims and get accurate reimbursement
5. Code-a-Palooza (Course # 509—Monday, Nov. 13, 3:15 to 4:15 pm). This fun course covers all aspects of ophthalmic coding and all subspecialties in an interactive, game-like setting. This session always has a great turnout, so plan to arrive early.
6. Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Prep Course (Course # 640—Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10:15 to 11:15 am). This one-hour course prepares physicians, technicians, administrators and billers for the Ophthalmic Coding Specialist exam and covers all aspects of ophthalmic coding, including each subspecialty. It’s the easiest and most accurate way to demonstrate your coding competency.
Half-Day Coding Sessions
For more in-depth instruction, you can also choose from two three-hour sessions taught by Academy coding experts. These half-day sessions require a separate ticket. Buy early — these interactive courses usually sell out.
7. Fundamentals of Ophthalmic Coding (Course # 17CODE1—Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 am to 12 pm). Are you appending modifiers correctly and is your payer covering them all? Are you billing under another physician’s National Provider Identifier? This course covers all of the key components to apply to billing, plus case examples to identify where your practice might be vulnerable.
8. Coding Camp (Course # 17CODE2—Saturday, Nov. 11, 1:30 to 4:30 pm). This intermediate/advanced course takes a deeper dive into subspecialty billing. Experts from the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company will also show you how documentation can affect your billing and preview upcoming 2018 coding changes, including reporting details for the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.
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About the authors: Jenny Edgar, CPC, CPCO, OCS, is the Academy’s coding specialist. She is also a contributing author to the Ophthalmic Coding Coach and Ophthalmic Coding series. 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 Practice Management Express, Ophthalmic Coding Coach and Ophthalmic Coding series.