Confusion arising from coding and billing for observation services has plagued hospitals for a long time. Today the waters are muddier than ever, thanks to shorter hospital stays, stricter payer guidelines for inpatient admissions, difficulty in arranging post-acute care and other factors. On top of all that are significant changes for 2023, including new physician evaluation and management (E&M) coding rules that eliminate observation codes.

To avoid trouble with payers and auditors, you must understand and apply the latest coding and billing requirements for observation services. Get a jump-start on your comprehension with guidance from Dr. Ronald Hirsch in this essential RACmonitor webcast. One of our most popular presenters, Dr. Hirsch will conduct an “A to Z” review of observation services in 2023, including new coding rules; definitions and time durations for various payers (Medicare, Medicare Advantage and commercial); and professional fee billing rules.

Why This Is Relevant:

Observation is confusing for a lot of reasons, starting with its core definition (it’s a service, not a status). But payers and auditors don’t care if you’re confused — they’re watching and ready to pounce on any misstep. In a year of rampant turmoil and ambiguity, you can stay a step ahead of the scrutiny by making certain you clearly understand and are complying with the latest rules.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the types of patients who are appropriate for observation
2. Be able to distinguish between observation billing for medical and surgical patients
3. Differentiate how government and commercial payers regard observation services
4. Grasp crucial nuances of professional fee billing for observation services

Who Should Attend:

Staff in utilization review, case management, revenue integrity, revenue cycle, billing and coding, as well as physician advisors.