New Jersey - Volume VII, Number 4a - May, 1998

HCFA ANNOUNCES DELAY IN FINAL IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW E&M CODING REQUIREMENTS WHILE STILL REQUIRING PHYSICIANS TO COMPLY WITH EARLIER GUIDELINES OR PROPOSED CURRENT GUIDELINES

As a result of pressure from the AMA and others, HCFA has announced that it will delay implementation of its new E&M coding requirements while directing carriers "to continue to use both the 1995 and 1997 Guidelines, whichever are more advantageous to the physician."

While making this announcement, HCFA continues its heightened review of physicians records. In the past week, alone, Kern Augustine received over a dozen notices from physicians that Xact is seeing repayment of monies paid by Medicare. For the most part these demands result from failure to meet the 1995 or 1997 HCFA guidelines.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND E&M DOCUMENTATION SEMINAR TO BE SPONSORED BY KERN AUGUSTINE

A half-day seminar addressing legal compliance requirements and featuring nationally recognized documentation and coding expert, Doris Fullerton, is scheduled to be held at three locations in New Jersey during May and June. Suggested solutions to E&M documentation problems, including low-cost voice recognition and scanning technology, will also be demonstrated. The seminar is heavily discounted to members of the Medical Society of New Jersey and to Physician Advocacy Program™ participants. Seating is limited and early registration encouraged.

Physicians should not view HCFA’s delay as a reason to ignore documentation and coding issues. Review of many physicians’ office records reveal a failure of many to fully understand the standards currently required by HCFA. A registration form is enclosed.

DNR POLICY TO BE RE-EXAMINED

The Board of Medical Examiners, yesterday, heard from twenty-four witnesses, including representatives of the Medical Society of New Jersey, the AMA, the State Bar Association, and UMDNJ. Each witness denounced the current Board Policy requiring three physicians to certify a patient’s competency before instituting a DNR order. No one came forward in support of the Board’s position.

Following the hearing, the Board indicated that it would immediately seek to alter its universally criticized policy.