AAOS Coding Webinars for Residents

AAOS Coding Webinars for Residents

CPT & CMS Updates 2025

(Recorded, 01/09/25, accessible via OnDemand Webinars) Numerous changes are made each year to the CPT code set that have a tremendous impact on the reporting of services rendered and obtaining the appropriate reimbursement. Likewise, changes to payment policies in the annual Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) significantly affect claims submission. This webinar will dive deep into the 2025 changes affecting CPT codes related to orthopaedics and CMS payment policies to equip you with the knowledge needed to ensure the most up to date coding information. 

CPT and CMS 2024 Updates

(Recorded 1/31/24, accessible via OnDemand Webinars) This webinar will review in great detail the 2024 changes affecting CPT codes related to orthopaedics, as well as the 2024 CMS payment policies to equip you with the knowledge needed to ensure the most up to date coding information.

Preprocedural Optimization Services

(Recorded 4/9/24, accessible via OnDemand Webinars) The 2021 CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule reduction in RVUs for both total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and total hip arthroplasty (THA) reduced the reimbursement for these procedures and did not account for the pre-service physician work involved. The AAOS and AAHKS were heavily engaged in this issue, participating in discussions with AMA and CMS who both recognized that pre-service optimization work occurs with THA and TKA. This webinar will address the correct coding for work performed prior to surgery with principal care management (PCM) codes and demonstrate specific examples of preoptimization work and its coding.

Prior Authorizations

(Recorded 8/29/23, accessible via OnDemand Webinars)
This webinar will highlight the recent policy changes and AAOS advocacy efforts to help reduce the burden of Prior Authorizations. This webinar will also address strategies to work through the hurdles and cumbersome process with payers.

CMS & CPT 2023 Updates

(Recorded 2/01/23, accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater) Presented by Eric C Stiefel, MD, FAAOS

2023 Evaluation and Management (E/M) Inpatient Changes

(Recorded 1/11/23, accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater) Presented by R. Dale Blasier, MD, FAAOS, Christopher P Kauffman, MD, FAAO, Adam S Levin, MD, FAAOS

Relative Value Unit (RVU) System and Code-X Software

(Recorded 12/28/21, accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater) Presented by Brian J Galinat, MD, MBA, FAAOS, Peter George Mangone, MD, FAAOS, Tye Ouzounian, MD, FAAOS

Evaluation & Management (E/M) Changes: What You Need to Know For 2021 – Part II

(Recorded 10/28/20 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: Daniel J Nagle, MD, FAAOS and Margaret Maley, BSN, MS
This second session will address the top 10 questions orthopaedic surgeons have about these new 2021 guidelines for new and established outpatient visits.

Evaluation & Management (E/M) Changes -What You Need to Know for 2021 – Part I

(Recorded 9/2/20 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FACS and R. Dale Blasier, MD, FAAOS
This two-part series will be an in-depth analysis of the changes to the 2021 Evaluation and Management (E/M) services.

Coding and Work Comp 101

(Recorded 8/8/20 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: Louis F. McIntyre, MD
This video will provide a basic understanding of coding and workman's compensation cases in orthopaedics.

Denials and Appeals

(Recorded 8/4/20 - accessible via AAOS Online Learning - login required)
Presented by: M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FACS and Adam S. Levin, MD, FAAOS
Accurate coding is essential to obtaining the appropriate reimbursement for services rendered. Likewise, rejected and denied claims that are not appealed contribute to a significant loss of revenue to the practice or facility. This webinar will address the practice management revenue cycle, submission of clean claims, various denial categories and how to address them before claims are sent, as well as filing successful appeals. These steps are crucial to the financial soundness of every practice and facility.

Global Surgical Package Ins and Outs

(Recorded 12/1/19 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FACS
This webinar will discuss the global surgical package. The global surgical package includes all necessary services normally furnished by a surgeon before, during, and after a procedure.

The Relative Value Unit: What's in an RVU?

(Recorded 11/1/19 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FACS
The Relative Value Unit (RVU) system can be a powerful tool to help you manage your practice. They are useful in analyzing and managing your costs, justifying your fee schedule, and negotiating with payers. And for physician compensation, application of RVUs for different compensation models is a consistent and impartial way to align physician pay.

The Necessities of Medical Necessity

(Recorded 11/1/19 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FACS and Margaret Maley, BSN, MS
This webinar will discuss medical necessity. Medical necessity means that that diagnosis documented justifies the treatment administered to the patient.

Maximizing Your Reimbursement: Modifiers

(Recorded 10/1/19 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: R. Dale Blasier, MD, FAAOS
A modifier is a means to report or indicate that a performed service or procedure has been altered by a specific circumstance. This video will provide a detailed explanation on how to explain modifiers to your patients and the importance of applying them for appropriate insurance reimbursement.

CPT: More than Just Numbers

(Recorded 10/1/19 - accessible via Orthopaedic Video Theater)
Presented by: M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA, FAAOS, FACS and Margaret Maley, BSN, MS
This webinar will provide an overview of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) process including code creation and the CPT Editorial Process. CPT is a listing of codes with descriptive terms for reporting services performed by physicians or other qualified healthcare professionals.