Newsletter October 2013
In a year from now the healthcare industry will undergo a massive change. On October 1, 2014, the ICD-10 codes will go into effect, and the United States will be up to date with the rest of the medical world.
With the number of diagnosis codes going from 14,000 to 68,000 and procedure codes going from 4,000 to 87,000, the new set of codes will more accurately measure healthcare services. Diagnosis codes will become alphanumeric and be up to seven digits. The new coding system allows for providers to more accurately measure healthcare services. They also provide room for growth as the medical industry continues to evolve and new discoveries are made.
The changes will happen, and after October 1, 2014, the old codes will no longer be accepted. The most important steps that must be taken now are to train staff and providers. There are seminars, classes, and information online all available to educate on the new coding system. Also imperative is insuring your vendors, such as EMRs, clearinghouses, billing companies, and labs, are also taking steps to get ready. The better prepared you are, the less likely your claims and payments will be effected.
For any questions about medical and healthcare law, call our office. At Karen McKeithen Schaede, Attorney at Law PLLC, we are always available to advise you in all aspects of running your practice.
Sincerely,
Karen McKeithen Schaede Attorney at Law, PLLC
FDA Regulating Smartphone Apps
According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of all Americans own a smartphone and along with smartphones come thousands of different apps. Typically, people use their apps to listen to music, read the news or get directions to their destination. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) got involved once individuals started developing health and wellness apps.
Are Your Employee’s Astroturfing For You?
Yelp Inc. is suing a boutique bankruptcy law firm, McMillan Law Group, for allegedly “astroturfing.” Astroturfing is when statements are given on the internet, which appear to be from an independent, credible source but only because the source’s financial connection is withheld. The term is derived from the synthetic carpeting that is designed to look like natural grass, AstroTurf.