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A simple, but crucial medical billing change has recently occurred. Beginning on October 1, 2005, the Medicare durable medical equipment regional carrier (DMERC) will no longer accept the diagnosis code 585.0. Instead of using ICD-9 585.0, medical billing should be done with the ICD-9 code 585.6 for home dialysis charges.

The code 585.0 means chronic renal failure. This code has now been discontinued and the DMERC will no longer be lenient on the code. The more descriptive code, 585.6 (end stage renal disease) much more accurately describes the diagnosis for home dialysis. It is important that your medical billing staff note this change. Failure to do so will result in unpaid future claims.

Situations like this depict the necessity to hire an outside medical billing firm. Many mistakes can be avoided by hiring one of these companies. Medical billing companies employ highly skilled individuals who are trained, certified, and updated on current medical billing/coding practices. By hiring these (more...)

Most of the people who are shopping for major medical insurance are concerned about their budget more than the coverage. The premium quoted becomes the deciding factor while choosing medical insurance. It determines the type and extent of the medical insurance they want to purchase. The rates offered for the medical insurance plan depend on the current health, habits, hobbies, and lifestyle of the person looking for insurance. Relatively healthy people are offered lower rates than someone who is suffering from any illness.

Indemnity and managed care medical insurance plans differ in their fundamental approach of providing coverage. Indemnity plans are preferred for the wide choice of doctors allowed which include specialists, such as cardiologists and surgeons. They also provide a comparatively larger range of approved hospitals and other health care providers. Managed care plans do not have as wide a choice as in case of indemnity plans. They usually have tie-ups with certain doctors, hospitals, a (more...)