University Physicians
Audit and Reimbursement Department
December 2002
Newsletter
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
CPT 2003 CODING SYMPOSIUM
&
7TH ANNUAL RBRVS SYMPOSIUM
The symposium was held in Chicago, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown on Thursday and Friday, November 14 and 15, 2002. It was an informative and fun packed symposium with valuable information presented. There were over 500 people in attendance.
On Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. the symposium kicked off with Michael Beebe, Director, CPT Editorial and Information Services, doing an overview of the CPT 2003 changes.
Speakers for the symposium were physicians from:
· Urology - Dr. Jeffrey A. Dann,
· Pediatric/Neonatal - Dr. John P. Crow,
· Chemistry/Hematology - Dr. Stephen N. Bauer,
· Obstetricians/Gynecologists - Dr. Phillip N. Eskew, Jr.,
· Speech-Language Hearing - Dr. R. Wayne Holland,
· Dermatology - Dr. Allan S. Wirtzer.
They were all excellent speakers and very knowledgeable of the new CPT changes being made in their specialty and how incorrect coding could affect their reimbursement. A question/answer session followed each specialty. The CPT 2003 symposium concluded at 5:00 p.m.
The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Professional Coders hosted receptions on Thursday evening. We enjoyed the specialty roundtable discussion at the AAPC reception and networking with other coders from different Universities. The AMA reception proved to be another opportunity to meet new people in different capacities of the coding world and network with other coders from different organizations. Issues discussed were:
· Physician Documentation and Compliance and how this was handled
· Different approaches to send claims coded correctly the first time
· How to deal with the editing of coding problems
Although Friday's RBRVS symposium had to be modified due to a speaker cancellation, and the RBRVS rule not being finalized, the session was very good.
· Joe Havens Jr. CPA , for Horne CPA Group - Spoke on Physician Compensation Systems.
· Jackie Darr, an Attorney for American Medical Association - Spoke on HIPAA in the physician's office.
· Dr. Bill Moran - Presented the RVS update process.
· Dr. William Rogers, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - He gave an overview of CMS Medicare payment policy.
This was a very well planned and organized seminar. Everyone was very professional, well informed and friendly. Our accommodations were great. We had a beautiful view of Michigan Avenue, the Wrigley building, NBC building, and the Canal. The city lights were beautiful at night. It even snowed for a short time on Thursday night. What more could you ask for? So give it some thought for next year. It is well worth your time and money!
Brenda Weston, CPC
University Physicians
Audit & Reimbursement
