Jennifer McNamara 
When I audit a spine chart, I am answering one question. Does the documentation in front of me support the level that was reported? I am not deciding what level the visit should have been, and I am not filling in what the physician probably meant. Spine makes that harder than most specialties. The clinical … Read more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Healthcare Inspired LLC is proud to announce the addition of Jessica Wecker, CPC, to its growing team of certified coding professionals. Jessica joins Healthcare Inspired with expertise in Emergency Department Facility coding, along with a reputation for exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to coding accuracy and compliance. “As we continue … Read more
Most years, the physician fee schedule proposed rule is an incremental update a coding team notes and moves past. For orthopedics, the CY 2027 rule is not that. It takes direct aim at total joint replacement, at the office visit billed on the same day as a procedure, and at the global surgical package that … Read more
As cosmetic medicine, medical spas, concierge practices, and wellness clinics continue to grow, one misconception keeps resurfacing: “If I’m not billing insurance and the patient is here by choice—not because they’re sick—do I still have to document the visit?” The answer is yes. There is no single federal or state law that says, in those … Read more
Posterior column osteotomies performed during scoliosis correction frequently generate a coding question that is easy to answer incorrectly. When a surgeon removes lamina, ligamentum flavum, and portions of the facets to mobilize a rigid curve, the operative note can resemble a decompression. The controlling guidance in this area is the December 2021 CPT® Assistant, “Reviewing … Read more
Eligibility verification gets treated as a clerical box to check before a patient is roomed. In practice, it is the front-end decision point where a large share of preventable denials are quietly set in motion. By the time a claim rejects for “coverage terminated,” “service not covered,” or “no authorization on file,” the opportunity to … Read more
Z codes get dismissed as filler — the codes you reach for when there is no “real” diagnosis to report. In orthopedic coding that mindset is expensive. The Z code family carries the encounters that have no acute disease or injury to anchor them, the status of every implant and amputation a patient walks in … Read more
Physicians and coding professionals often face a difficult challenge when reporting services that lack a specific CPT® code. While the goal is always to secure appropriate reimbursement for medically necessary services, coding decisions must first be grounded in compliance. Unlisted procedure codes exist to bridge the gap when a service or procedure is not accurately … Read more
Men’s Health Month each June draws attention to a well-documented disparity in care-seeking behavior. Men are less likely than women to engage in routine preventive care, more likely to defer evaluation of symptoms, and consequently more likely to present with advanced disease. The clinical and financial consequences of that pattern are considerable. Prostate cancer illustrates … Read more
Recently, it was brought to my attention how much my daily habits were affecting my productivity, leadership style, and overall effectiveness. That observation caused me to take a closer look at how small repeated behaviors influence not only performance, but also workplace culture, communication, and professional identity. In healthcare leadership, constant activity is often mistaken … Read more