The Controversy Continues: Medical Necessity versus MDM
“Medical necessity” is a much-used but often-misunderstood concept. After our recent four-part series on the “Pitfalls of an Audit” and our last Talk Ten Tuesdays
“Medical necessity” is a much-used but often-misunderstood concept. After our recent four-part series on the “Pitfalls of an Audit” and our last Talk Ten Tuesdays
Healthcare can incorporate SDoH data into daily workflows and operations. Earlier in June I wrote about that necessary marriage of costs, coding, and the Social
Risk adjustment has been used to entice payers and providers to accept patients with multiple chronic conditions along with those patients who are relatively healthy.
New CMS document features gems that fill risk adjustment voids for coding rules. Coders love rules. In risk adjustment coding, we live by the Official
CMS encourages providers to talk, test, and treat STDs. When it comes to sexually transmitted disease (STD) awareness, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Expansion of new ICD-10 codes has slowed. The 2019 Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule covers many Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups (MS-DRGs) changes, in addition
The importance of an effective outpatient CDI program cannot be overstated When working with a member of the sales force for a previous employer, I
Anticipated schedule of the posting of new ICD-10 codes, including dates for public comment. Typically, after the annual Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting, the next
Review your payer policies when performing these services. Pain management coding can be tricky. Trigger point injection therapy is a common procedure performed by pain
Frustrations arise over inconsistent guidance from MACs and CMS. Every single day, I get numerous email notices from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The main burden for this change is on healthcare providers such as physicians, clinics, hospitals. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will start
The ICD-10 code set is growing, and feedback from the medical community on the changes is needed. This is the first in a series of

Medicare regulations are complex and even seasoned professionals struggle to apply them consistently. Due to overwhelming demand, Dr. Hirsch returns for Part 2 of Ask Dr. Hirsch: Clarifying Medicare’s Most Misunderstood Rules to answer even more of Medicare’s most misunderstood questions, covering inpatient status, observation, SNF access, Medicare Advantage denials, and more. Join Dr. Hirsch as he provides clear, referenced answers to real-world questions submitted by your peers, helping you navigate Medicare compliance with confidence and clarity.

Traditional utilization management models can no longer keep pace with regulatory shifts, payer scrutiny, and operational pressures. In this webcast, Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM, ACPA-C, introduces an Adaptive Model strategy that modernizes UM through role specialization, technology-driven workflows, and proactive, team-based processes. Attendees will learn how to restructure programs to improve efficiency, strengthen clinical collaboration, and enhance financial performance in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

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.

Prepare for FY 2027 IPPS changes with a comprehensive 3-part masterclass covering ICD-10-CM/PCS updates, MS-DRG shifts, NTAPs, compliance risks, and reimbursement strategies.

Stay ahead of FY 2027 reimbursement changes with expert analysis of MS-DRG shifts, NTAP updates, Medicare Code Edits, and emerging technologies impacting inpatient payment accuracy.

Stay ahead of FY 2027 ICD-10-PCS changes with expert analysis of new procedure codes, revised guidelines, and high-impact updates affecting reimbursement, compliance, and inpatient coding accuracy.

Master the FY 2027 ICD-10-CM changes, including new diagnosis codes, CC/MCC updates, and coding guideline revisions, with practical insights from nationally recognized coding and CDI experts.
This Memorial Day, we honor those who gave all for our freedom. Take 20% off sitewide through May 29 with code MEMORIAL26 at checkout
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24