The Magic of Modifiers  

The confusion begins; accurate complete coding drives clean and accurate claims.  We know physicians should code their own services; the reality is many do not.  Dr. Tom Fasciewski states coding is a "team sport", physician, coder and billing staff should all be involved.  Open lines of communication are key, and the most successful practices today work as a team, knowing that the rules and regulations are constantly changing.

Medical record coding is not always an exact science; correct coding is the key to unlock successful reimbursement.  Part of this coding process is giving a complete story to the insurance payer.  To do this, understanding modifiers and how to apply to your claims is essential.  Approximately 15% of claim denials are due to lack of or incorrect modifier usage, and although we learn "coding is coding", various payer rules and i...