Billing
The knowledge to bill both appropriately and effectively is a highly desired skill when applying for jobs as well as once you are practicing. Having a knowledge of billing prior to starting your first job is key, and learning this during residency can set you apart during the employment interview process.
Below I have listed some resources I have found that I have used to help me learn and stay up to date on the practice of billing. Many websites exist to help with billing and coding. Often a google search of what you are trying to find along with the term "CPT" or typing in a code plus "CPT" will help in finding information. The accuracy of this information should always be questioned as many of the results will be message board queries.
You or your office should have a copy of the CPT coding books.
***Read - "Prepairing a New Associate for Coding and Billing." by Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman (via Podiatry Management, Sept 2015)
***Check Out - APMA Coding Resource Center, Coding and Billing Resource (list compiled by AAPPM), and TCI Billing for Podiatry
Some things I found helpful in learning to bill includes...
MISC Podiatric Pathology Resources/Links
Paid Resources
Certain association memberships provide billing resources...
Below I have listed some resources I have found that I have used to help me learn and stay up to date on the practice of billing. Many websites exist to help with billing and coding. Often a google search of what you are trying to find along with the term "CPT" or typing in a code plus "CPT" will help in finding information. The accuracy of this information should always be questioned as many of the results will be message board queries.
You or your office should have a copy of the CPT coding books.
***Read - "Prepairing a New Associate for Coding and Billing." by Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman (via Podiatry Management, Sept 2015)
***Check Out - APMA Coding Resource Center, Coding and Billing Resource (list compiled by AAPPM), and TCI Billing for Podiatry
Some things I found helpful in learning to bill includes...
- Learn from the "pros" - Spend time in the office during residency with attendings who have bee doing this for awhile. They probably have learned what does/not work, reimburses better, and also can help guide you to proper billing techniques. ASK QUESTIONS!!!
- To this day, if I have a question I will ask one of my residency or fellowship mentors, or even some of my new DPM colleagues in my health system.
- Create a billing log during residency. This can be both for office and surgical procedures (seeing what CPT codes were billed for cases you participated in).
- Attend a class on billing.
- ACFAS - Practice Management Opportunities
- ACFOAM - Reimbursement, Coding, and Compliance Workshops
- APMA - Coding Seminar (re Goldfarb Foundation and PPMA)
- APMA - The National Conference -- offers special add-on courses for billing.
- AAPPM (American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management) - Courses
- NYSPMA (NY State Podiatric Medical Association) - Courses (see "Coding & Reimbursement Resources tab)
- Purchase an ICD-10 and CPT coding book
- "Google It" - whenever I had (and to this day have) a question I will search online. Often various blogs (most commonly on the AAPC website) or forums will result where you may find assistance.
MISC Podiatric Pathology Resources/Links
- CPT Codes for Foot and Ankle Surgical Procedures by ACGME
- "Lesions, Masses, and Tumors - Oh My!!" by AAPC
- "Procedure Coding for Skin Lesions and Lacerations" by AHIMA (circa 2009)
- "A Guide to Wound Repair Coding" by NCCT (2016)
Paid Resources
Certain association memberships provide billing resources...
- AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) - Podiatry Forum (here)
- AAPPM (American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management) - Coding and Billing Resource list (pdf)
- ACFAS (American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery) - Coding and Billing
- APMA Coding Resource Center - membership required
- ASPS (American Society of Podiatric Surgeons) Seminar (Sept 2018) - Surgical Coding Update
- Coding Line
- Everyday Coding
DISCLAIMER NOTE - In creating this page, I am not telling you how to bill. I am just providing some resources that can be found on the internet. All billing should be reviewed by your office, staff, billing department, and follow the guidelines of the insurance providers, CMS, and the government (Medicare/Medicaid). Furthermore, some of this information may be dated as rules, regulations, and codes change. This is simply a starting point for gaining an understanding of billing.