Archive for the ‘AAPC In The News’ Category

Medical coding and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) were featured in an introductory segment of the popular Chicago Public Radio show This American Life, the weekend of Oct. 17, in its program “Someone Else’s Money” — the second part of the show’s look at the American health care system. Host Ira Glass tried to “decode” coding, explaining the various coding systems and pointing out examples of codes and the apparent lack of logic in their development and assignment. 

You can download the show via the program’s Web site. The program is distributed by Public Media International and can be heard on most National Public Radio and independent stations.

In this article, AAPC Vice President of Product Management David Maxwell discusses what students and new coders need to know about the CPC certification exam. This article covers exam eligibility and preparation.

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American Medical News spoke with several experts, including AAPC education specialist Janalynne Thorley-Kilgo, about proper billing and coding for the H1N1 flu vaccine.

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This article reviews a statement the AAPC posted on its Web site for its members, stating that it does not support a freeze to ICD-9-CM coding updating prior to the Oct. 1, 2013 implementation of ICD-10. However, the AAPC says it does support a freeze to changes to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS beginning Oct. 1, 2012, which will ease the burden of adoption for all participants.

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AAPC member Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CPC, CCS-P, provides orthopaedic specialists advice on injection coding in AAOS — the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ online newsletter.

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In the October/November issue of BC Advantage, AAPC member April Borgstedt discusses coding for evaluation and management services, which are an important revenue source for providers nationwide. Though not available to read online, make sure to check out the article on page 16 if you subscribe to the magazine.

AAPC member and health care consultant Kathleen Bailey, CPA, MBA, CPC, CPC-I, shares some tips on one of the questions she is asked most often: “How can I improve my bottom line?” In this article, Kathleen says that the most effective way to increase a practice’s profitability is through submitting claims correctly the first time to ensure full and proper payment.

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