Navigating 2024 Coding Guidelines for Foot, Ankle, Podiatry and DME

In the dynamic healthcare environment, accurate and current medical coding for foot and ankle procedures, as well as podiatry and Durable Medical Equipment (DME), is crucial. However, staying updated with the latest guidelines, regulations, and documentation requirements can be challenging for healthcare professionals. This combined webinar aims to address these challenges and empower healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in these specialized areas of coding.

Led by industry expert Lynn M. Anderanin, CPC, CPPM, CPMA, CPC-I, COSC, this webinar combo provides an up-to-date overview of medical coding for foot and ankle procedures, podiatry, and DME, focusing on the 2024 updates. Attendees will gain insights into coding guidelines, regulations, and documentation requirements specific to foot and ankle surgeries, as well as podiatry practices and DME management.

Key Topics Include:

Foot and Ankle Coding Updates: Detailed coverage of the 2024 CPT® updates for foot and ankle procedures, highlighting coding guidelines, regulations, and documentation requirements.

Podiatry Coding Changes: A thorough review of the significant updates to CPT® in Podiatry for 2024, including current Medicare guidelines for Podiatry and the rationale behind the new codes from the AMA's perspective.

DME Documentation and Billing: Comprehensive insights into the new documentation guidelines for DME, Local Coverage Determinations for government payors like Medicare, and the medical necessity criteria for reimbursement. Learn how to establish efficient office processes to turn DME dispensing into a profitable endeavor.

Medicare Policies and Compliance: The latest information on Medicare policies regarding foot care, ensuring attendees receive applicable information for their daily code assignment.

Whether you're a seasoned coding expert, a healthcare administrator, or new to the field, this webinar is designed to meet your needs and enhance your proficiency in foot and ankle procedure coding, podiatry, and DME management. Join us to stay ahead of the curve and ensure compliance and accuracy in your coding practices for 2024 and beyond.

Webinar Objectives

This comprehensive session aims to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex coding and documentation requirements for foot and ankle procedures, podiatry services, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in 2024. Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of the latest coding guidelines, regulations, and updates, including the new CPT codes and Medicare policies.

By addressing common challenges such as coding complexity and documentation deficiencies, the session will provide practical strategies for accurate code assignment and improved documentation. Participants will learn essential tips for capturing procedure specifics, surgical techniques, and post-operative care, ensuring accurate coding and reimbursement.

Additionally, the session will cover specific Medicare and insurance carrier policies related to podiatric conditions, emphasizing the importance of meeting medical necessity and documentation requirements to pass audits successfully. Guidance on enrolling in the Medicare program for DME, billing, and inventory management will also be provided, helping healthcare offices turn DME dispensing into a profitable endeavor.

Ultimately, this webinar aims to enhance the proficiency of healthcare professionals in coding and billing for foot and ankle procedures, podiatry, and DME, ensuring compliance and financial success in their practices.

Webinar Agenda

• Introduction
  • Importance of Accurate Medical Coding
  • Overview of Session Objectives and Agenda
• Coding Complexity in Foot and Ankle Procedures
  • Identifying Challenges Specific to Foot and Ankle Procedures
  • Surgical Techniques and Anatomical Variations
  • Common Errors and Misconceptions in Coding
  • Guidelines, Modifiers, and Documentation Requirements to Address Coding Complexity
• Documentation Essentials
  • Essential Elements of Documentation for Supporting Foot and Ankle Procedures
  • Addressing Pain Areas in Documentation
  • Incomplete Information and Lack of Specificity
  • Tips and Examples for Improving Documentation Accuracy and Completeness
• Compliance Considerations
  • Regulatory Requirements and Compliance Risks in Foot and Ankle Coding
  • Audit Triggers and Common Compliance Pitfalls
  • Risk Mitigation Strategies for Ensuring Compliance with Coding and Documentation Standards
• Updates for 2024
  • Review of 2024 CPT Updates for Foot and Ankle Procedures
  • Explanation of New Codes, Revisions, and Deletions
  • Coding Implications and Documentation Requirements for Newly Introduced Codes
• Medicare Guidelines and Podiatry Practice
  • Understanding Medicare Guidelines Affecting Podiatry Practice
  • Meeting Medicare Standard Documentation Guidelines
  • Assigning Appropriate Codes for Billing Purpose
• Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
  • Gaining Knowledge in the Medical Necessity Requirements for DME
  • Applying the Reasonable Useful Life of DME
  • Using PDAC for Items Dispensed to Medicare Patients
• Practical Strategies and Case Studies
  • Real-World Examples and Case Studies
  • Applying Session Insights to Improve Coding and Documentation Practices
• Q&A Session
  • Open Forum for Questions and Discussion
  • Addressing Specific Participant Queries and Concerns
• Conclusion
  • Summary of Key Takeaways
  • Additional Resources and Next Steps for Continued Learning

Webinar Highlights

• New 2024 CPT codes for foot and ankle procedures, including bunion code updates.
• Addressing common coding challenges and using modifiers like -59, -LT, and -RT correctly.
• Essential documentation elements for accurate coding, including pre- and post-operative care.
• Reporting treating physician information and reviewing payable diagnosis codes for Medicare and podiatry claims.
• Understanding 2021/2023 E/M Guidelines and recent revisions.
• Meeting updated Medicare Standard Documentation guidelines.
• Assigning correct codes for billing purposes.
• Requirements for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and using PDAC for Medicare patients.
• Compliance strategies to mitigate audit risks and ensure regulatory compliance.

Who Should Attend

Podiatrists, Orthopedic Surgeons, Medical Coders and Billers, Orthopedic Nurses and Assistants, Surgery Schedulers, HIM Professionals, Administrators, Managers, Claims Adjudicators, Utilization Review Specialists, Medical Policy Analysts, Fraud and Abuse Investigators, Provider Relations Representatives, Prior Authorization Specialists