Global Disasters

There is a lot going on in the world today.  With the earthquake in Japan, tsunami, and now radiation leaking, there is a large part of the world that is in dire need.  Some of that need has made its way here to Northern California where I live.  The tsunami hit the far northern coast of California slamming the biggest fishing community with $20 million in damages, and counting.  Santa Cruz has $17 million in damages, and the radiation cloud that has been forming could very well reach the United States, in smaller doses.  The US is also going to be evacuating its own residents from the disaster area, and probably at least a number of the more greviously injured persons for medical care here.  It is possible that some billing departments and coding departments could see some of the impacts of this disaster close up.

I have not seen anything on the news that the ICD-9 has not already accounted for.  For example:

Radiation poisoning has a diagnosis code of 508.0
Adverse effects of radiation is 990

The earthquake would have injuries such as:
crushing injury, 929.9 or
exposure 994.9

tsunami would possibly have:
drowning 994.1

When a natural disaster happens ,there is a way in which we, in this industry, can be prepared within our own profession.  Watch the news.  Keep up on the current events.  When you hear of things happening around you, even if they are across the globe, take the time to see how you would handle them were the claim in front of you today.  It is altogether possible, that it might be tomorrow.

My heart and prayers are with the people of Japan.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in ebook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/

A promise is a promise.

It's raining today.  I don't know where all of my readers are, but I am in sunny California.  By this time of the year most of the rain is usually done.  We may get a sprinkle or two, but nothing drenching.  Last night between the time I went to bed and the time I got up this morning at 5:00 am, we got well over an inch of rain.  There were auto accidents all over the place on the freeways.  The roads were a mess.

Now, were I still self-employed, this is a day that I would have been extremely tempted to call my clients and tell them that I could not make my normal courier run and pick their billing up.  I would have loved to stay inside all day and work from the warmth and comfort of my dry home.  But, when you are self-employed, even though you may have options that most people don't, one thing to remember is this:  A promise is still a promise.  If you have told all of your clients that you will pick up on Mondays and Wednesdays, then that is exactly what they expect.  They will have little sympathy for you not wanting to go out in the rain.  In fact, if it is a day that they need to be at work, then they expect you to be at work as well.  You could possibly run the risk of offending your clients if you try to take the easy way out of things.  Now, obviously there will be times when your schedule will have to change.  My advice to you is to make this as little as possible, and only when you really need to.  Think of your deliveries and pick ups as a promise.  Something always to keep.

So, in the rain and foul weather... bundle up, keep dry and warm, be safe on the road, and head out to meet with your clients.  They will appreciate it more than you know.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in ebook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/
http://www.faithfriendshipandfood.blogspot.com/

Taking on too much... don't stop thinking.

When we all first start out in business, we are always excited, energetic, and hungry.  We want that business, and we want it bad.  In fact, many of us are willing to go the extra mile to land that first client.  I know I did.  But one thing that we all need to be careful of is taking on too much.  This is something that I still struggle with.

When I started my business, I had another job as well.  It was part time, and not the full time that most people are working, but it was a job just the same.  I was also a mother to two younger children.  I will tell you that I worked part time outside the home, and full time inside.  Even then, the temptation was there to take on too much.  Whatever people asked me for, I committed to doing it without thinking about it.  My advice to you is to always take a step back and think things through.  You don't want to stretch yourself too thin, with either your business, your day job, or your family.  If you are providing extra services, such as transcription or courier, evaluate the time and effort that it will take carefully before committing.

I was revisited by this same problem again this week.  While I no longer have my billing service, I do have a full time Billing and Collections Supervisor job, am an active author, and the single parent of two college kids.  As if that wasn't enough, I got contacted this last week to ask if I was interested in developing and teaching an online course in medical billing.  While I did not immediately take it, I did not immediately turn it down either.  I am going to take a big step back, evaluate exactly what it is they want from me, and whether or not I have adequate time to shine in this job along with all of my other repsonsibilities.  In other words, STOP and THINK.  You wouldn't think at this point in my life someone would have to remind me of that, but I guess we all need it from time to time.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in dBook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/
http://www.faithfriendshipandfood.blogspot.com/

A lesson from Charlie Sheen...

So what can we learn from the antics of Charlie Sheen?  The last that I heard from this whole debacle is that he has called his former bosses "yellow bellied cockroaches" or something to that effect.  So, not only are cockroaches one of the lowest forms of life, but there is actually a heirerarchy among them, making the yellow-bellied kind among the worst.  Who knew?

But seriously, before you all start sending me hate mail I want to say that I love Charlie Sheen as an actor.  He has done some amazing stuff and I have been a fan for a long time.  But this week, I believe that he has made some significant mistakes.  And, specifically related to being self-employed and to marketing, he has burned his bridges. 

When you are self employed, not all situations work out.  There will  be clients that love you, and clients that hate you.  That's just the way that it is.  Not everyone is going to love you or your business the way that you do.  We all just need to accept that.  But, when things don't work out, I highly recommend that you refrain at all costs from calling your clients, or former clients, "yellow bellied cockroaches", or cockroaches of any kind, for that matter.  First, it shows a lack of respect for other human beings, and is extremely unprofessional.  It is possible that perhaps they might have need to contact you again in the future for another reason, and if you leave any client on bad terms, not only will you lose that client for any potential future business dealings, but you will also lose that all-important and priceless referral.

So, Charlie:  I loved you in Platoon.  Two and a Half Men has made laugh more times than I can tell you.  But I cannot in any way, recommend your business practices to the average person.  I wish you all the best.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in dBook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/
http://www.faithfriendshipandfood.blogspot.com/

I may live to regret this... an offer you can't refuse.

I may live to regret this, but I am going to make an offer that I hope you can't refuse.

You see, I have been working on my taxes for two days now. And not only have I been working on them, but I have been trying to organize them too.  I recently painted my bedroom, and hauled all of my tax documents and other writing materials out into the hallway and the garage until I was ready to move them back into my bedroom.  Unfortunately, I didn't label the boxes very well, so it has been a little treasure hunt finding all of my receipts.  I tell you this because this year I did not take my own advice.  There is a chapter in my book Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement that addresses taxes.  I, very clearly, advised everyone to be organized with your taxes and your receipts.  I am a little embarassed to tell you that I have been very disorganized this year, and am still not done finding all of my documents.

All of this to tell you, that as a thank you to my new subscribers (including my Kindle subscribers) I am offering copies of my book FREE.  (I love that four letter F-word).  That's right, absolutely FREE.  Just shoot me an email with your name and address and I will drop one in the mail to you right away, postage free.  In addition, if you refer someone else to join the blog, I will give you a copy of my new book: Marketing Your Medical Billing Service.  Again, absolutely free.  Also, the new referral can get a copy of the first book Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement, FREE.  The marketing book is in an eBook format only, but can be read by the Kindle, Nook, or Adobe Acrobat Reader files.  All of these programs can be downloaded to your comuter FREE (again, my favorite word) from the web sites of the publishers.

Now before you think that I am completely crazy, remember anything that you do for advertizing (givesways, etc.) are all tax deductible for your business.  I am already getting a jump on my 2011 taxes and advertizing.  Hopefully next year I won't be in the same boat.  (For those of you still with me next year, you can remind me of this conversation when I do it again!)  So, let's get cracking.

Send your emails to:

lori@sinclairinkspot.com

or visit my website at:

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/

Remember to include your name and mailing address.  This offer remains valid until Friday, April 15th, 2011, tax day.

I would like to thank all of my current subscribers, and welcome the new ones.  And, I hope your taxes are going better than mine this year.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Marketing Your Medical Billing Service
Sinclair Publications, 2011
available in dBook format only
See http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, or http://www.sinclairinkspot.com.market/

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/
http://www.faithfriendshipandfood.blogspot.com/



Major Sectons of the ICD-9 manual

Here are the major sections of the ICD-9 manual.

Preventive Medicine

External Causes

Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

Neoplasms

Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Immunity

Blood and Blood forming organs

Mental Disorders

Nervous System and Sense Organs

Circulatory System

Respiratory System

Digestive System

Genitourinary System

Complications of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Puerpenium

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue

Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue

Congenital Anomalies

Conditions in the perinatal period

Symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions

Injury and Poisoning

V-Codes

E-Codes

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/
http://www.faithfriendshipandfood.blogspot.com/



ICD-9 (for now)

Ok, last of the boring stuff, I promise... at least for a while.

The last reference manual that you will need to deal with is the ICD-9.  Exactly like the last two examples (the CPT and the HCPCS) it is separated into two major sections, alphabetical and tabular.  But wherein the last two books dealt with procedures, drugs, and equipment (primarily), the ICD-9 lists diagnoses.  It is an extremely detailed listing of any illness, condition, pre-condition, post-condition, or injury that you could imagine.  Again, like the other two books you never want to code from the alphabetical section, but use that as a reference to get to the much more detailed tabular section.  Below are two page examples.

So why do we need the ICD-9 anyway?  To track healthcare trends, and also to aid the insurance companies in processing your bill.  If your policy excludes certain services, like pregnancy for example, and a claim comes through with a pregnancy diagnosis, that aids the insurance company in the denial of that claim.  Many policies have a different payment rate for Emergency Room services.  A trauma or injury diagnosis will help expedite this.

The government also uses this information to allocate funds for healthcre trends and crises, such as AIDS, or pandemic flus.  The government gets a report of all reported diagnoses (without the names associated with them) so that they can determine what action needs to be taken next (if any) regarding the state of healthcare in the country.

Interestingly, the rest of the world also uses the ICD-9, its successor the ICD-10, and in 2015 will be using the ICD-11.  The World Health Organization tracks global pandemics and other health issues as well.  We are the only country that utilizes the ICD-9 for billing, making conversion to the ICD-10 much more difficult.

Next post will contain a listing of the major setions of the ICD-9 book.  Then on to the nuts and bolts of beginning a home business.

Until next time,

Thanks,
Lori

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
Loretta Sinclair
Author, Medical Billing, Coding and Reimbursement
How to Run Your Own Home Medical Billing Service
Annotation Press, 2007, 2008
Available in print and on Kindle

Medical Billing, Coding, and Reimbursement
Supplemental Workbook
Sinclair Publications
copyright 2009

http://www.medicalbillingservice.blogspot.com/
http://www.faithfriendshipandfood.blogspot.com/