It’s the Fall Season (Pun Intended)…
W06.XXXA — Fall from bednW15.XXXA — Fall from cliffnW12.XXXA — Fall from scaffolding
Only Credentialed Medical Assistants Can Enter EHR Orders
Q: One of my colleagues says that only “credentialed medical assistants” are permitted to enter orders in electronic health records (EHR) per Meaningful Use Stage 2. Can you explain?nnA: As of January 2013, only credentialed medical assistants have been permitted to enter medication, radiology, and laboratory orders into the EHR to count toward meeting the Meaningful Use thresholds under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive programs.nnAccording to Meaningful Use 2 core measure 1, any licensed healthcare professionals can enter orders into the medical record for purposes of including the order in the numerator for the objective of computerized physician order entry (CPOE).nnThe order must be entered by someone who could exercise clinical judgment in the event that the entry generates any alerts about possible interactions or other clinical decision support aids. This necessitates having the CPOE occur when the order first becomes part of the patient’s medical record, and before any action can be taken on the order.nnThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) did not specify any particular credentialing agency for medical assistants, but did say that the credentialing would have to be obtained from an organization other than the employing agency.nnMany working medical assistants have not graduated from an accredited program and thus are not eligible to sit for a certification examination offered by some agencies. The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the certifying agency for medical assistants, says these individuals are not eligible for certification by the AAMA, but they may be eligible for certification through other agencies.nnAccording to CMS, a non-certified individual, such as a scribe, is not qualified to enter these orders in the computerized provider order entry because there is no licensing or credentialing of scribes, so there is no guarantee of their qualifications for accuracy in such a position.nn
Documentation requirednnTo qualify for payments under the EHR incentive programs, providers will be required to present documentation of all entries, many of whom are automatically entered by the EHR system.nnCMS auditors have the authority to determine the entry of medication. Laboratory and radiology orders have been made by the licensed healthcare professional or credentialed medical assistant.nnIf the auditors find that the order entry was performed by an individual other than a licensed professional or credential medical assistant, it could constitute a violation. In that case it is possible that the order entry by the individual would not be counted toward meeting the Meaningful Use thresholds.nnConsequently, the eligible professional may not meet all the core objectives and as a result would not receive the incentive.nnSource: www.modernmedicine.com; Maxine Lewis; March 10, 2014.
Welter Healthcare Partners Celebrates its 20 Year Anniversary!
As we celebrate this 20th anniversary we acknowledge the fact that you, our clients and friends, are responsible for our success and longevity. We express our sincere thanks and appreciation to you for your business, your loyalty and your support during the past 20 years.nnFrom the very beginning we have understood: Our client’s success is literally our success!nnThe business of healthcare continues to create new challenges, obstacles, and opportunities! We look forward to another 20 years of helping our clients survive and thrive!
ICD-10, Dual Coding, and Dual Processing
Discussions of ICD-9 and ICD-10 often include mention of the terms dual processing and dual coding. Different people use these terms to mean different things, but in general, dual coding or processing refers to the use of ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes at the same time. So, when can you expect to use dual coding and processing and when can’t you?nnTesting to Prepare for ICD-10nDual coding and dual processing can be useful tools to prepare for ICD-10 by testing whether you are able to prepare, send, receive, and process transactions with ICD-10. However, ICD-10 can be used for testing purposes only before the compliance date; providers and payers cannot use ICD-10 in “live” transactions for dates of service before the ICD-10 compliance date.nnDual Coding and Dual Processing After the Compliance DatenFollowing the ICD-10 compliance date, providers and payers must use:n
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- ICD-9 in transactions for services provided before the compliance date
- ICD-10 in transactions for services provided on or after the compliance date
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nWhile providers and payers must be able to use both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes after the compliance date to accommodate backlogs in claims and other transactions, they will not be able to choose to use either ICD-9 or ICD-10 for a given transaction. The date of service determines whether ICD-9 or ICD-10 is to be used.nnWhen Is the ICD-10 Compliance Date?nThe Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has released a final rule that included a new compliance date that would require the use of ICD-10 beginning October 1, 2015. The new compliance date gives providers an extra year to prepare. The final rule also requires the continued use of ICD-9 for services provided through September 30, 2015.
The Sun Is Still Shining, Don't Forget Your SPF…
C43.31 – Malignant melanoma of nosennC43.11 – Malignant melanoma of right eyelid, including canthusnnD03.4 – Melanoma in situ of scalp and necknnD03.59 – Melanoma in situ of other part of trunknnIn preparation for the upcoming deadline for ICD-10 implementation, Welter Healthcare Partners presents weekly ICD-10 Codes of the Week! Our goal is to familiarize you with the new and expanded code set and the additional clinical documentation needed from your providers to comply with ICD-10 coding, and more importantly, for accurate and clean claims submission to keep your revenue stream flowing! We are to help YOU prepare for the October 1, 2015 implementation date. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for all of your training and education needs!