Pharmacy Question for the Week of March 20, 2017
Does Medicare cover the IVIG drug Bivigam?
Does Medicare cover the IVIG drug Bivigam?
I have been assigning the following codes for contrast-enhanced liver ultrasound:
76705 Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; limited (e.g., single organ, quadrant, follow-up)
Q9950 Injection, perflexane lipid microspheres, per ml
However, I was just told that I should be reporting C9744 (ultrasound, abdominal, with contrast) instead. Is this correct?
Does Medicare have any guidance for assigning modifier QF (prescribed amount of oxygen is greater than 4 LPM and portable oxygen is prescribed)?
What is the purpose of the Medicare CERT program?
Monday, March 20, 201710-10:30 a.m. ET; 7-7:30 a.m. PT SPECIAL GUESTLarry Field, DO, MBA, CHCQM, CPC, CHC, LHRMAmerican College of Physician Executives ALSO FEATURINGDuane Abbey,
Since it was put into place back in 2013, most of us have managed to grasp the specifics of the Medicare two-midnight rule. Whether there
The Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report (PEPPER) is a mystery to many. Sent to hospitals as an Excel workbook, I find it to
The word “stoned” is a 1960s slang word meaning roughly “intoxicated on illegal drugs.” The United States currently has an opioid epidemic. It has grown
When you get a request from a MAC, RAC, ZPIC, BISC or other entity in the alphabet soup of government contractors seeking records for an
Now that Secretary Tom Price has been confirmed to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), other cabinet-level nominees are continuing through
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in an ongoing series of articles about proposed code changes to the ICD-10-CM/PCS code set that will be published
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is the first in a two-part series on the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set. Assigning secondary or “other” diagnoses was a

Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.

In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.

Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.

Stay ahead of the 2026-2027 audit surge with “Top 10 Audit Targets for 2026-2027 for Hospitals & Physicians: Protect Your Revenue,” a high-impact webcast led by Michael Calahan, PA, MBA. This concise session gives hospitals and physicians clear insight into the most likely federal audit targets, such as E/M services, split/shared and critical care, observation and admissions, device credits, and Two-Midnight Rule changes, and shows how to tighten documentation, coding, and internal processes to reduce denials, recoupments, and penalties. Attendees walk away with practical best practices to protect revenue, strengthen compliance, and better prepare their teams for inevitable audits.

Gain clarity and confidence in OB‑GYN coding with this expert‑led webcast featuring Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS‑P, CPEDC, COPC. You’ll learn how to apply global maternity package rules accurately, select the right CPT codes for procedures and visits, and identify documentation gaps that lead to denials. With practical guidance and real examples, this session helps you strengthen compliance, reduce audit risk, and ensure accurate reimbursement for women’s health services.

Uncover essential coding insights with nationally recognized coding authority Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS. Through ICD10monitor’s interactive, on‑demand webcast series, Kay walks you through the AHA’s 2026 ICD‑10‑CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics, translating each update into practical, easy‑to‑apply guidance designed to sharpen precision, ensure compliance, and strengthen day‑to‑day decision‑making. Available shortly after each official release.

Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.

Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s third quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
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