updated: CPT codes annu-
ally, Category III codes
semi-annually and HCPCS
codes quarterly. Stay
abreast of the changes as
they come out. It also
helps to read carrier bul-
letins and to ask your car-
rier specific questions
about murky coding issues
before you perform a pro-
cedure to ensure you'll be
reimbursed. Bottom line:
The most successful facili-
ties are the ones that know and follow their carrier contracts and
reimbursement policies.
A proven formula
When reimbursement problems arise, my philosophy has always been,
if you're running a business, and your revenue is generated by how
you code, then you owe it to your facility to educate yourself on the
subject. Following this philosophy has proven very successful
throughout my career in assisting others with reimbursement chal-
lenges.
OSM
Mr. Cadorette (pcadorette@mdstrategies.com) is the director of
educational services for mdStrategies, a Houston, Texas-based healthcare consult-
ing firm that specializes in coding, auditing and training.
M A R C H 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 9
• CODE YOU With so much riding on a facility's ability to code effectively, sur-
gery center leaders have a responsibility to understand the basics of coding.
