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AAOS Coding Webinars for Residents

TKA & THA Reimbursement 2021 CMS Final Rule

(Recorded 4/15/21 - accessible via AAOS Online Learning - login required)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) releases the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule each calendar year (CY). The final rule provides updated CMS policies and regulations affecting many factors, such as the calculation of payment rates, misvalued codes and other regulatory actions. The CY 2021 MPFS made significant cuts to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) in addition to cuts to the Conversion Factor (CF) which significantly impacts orthopaedic surgeons. This webinar will go over in detail the specifics from the CY 2021 MPFS, how we got to this point, and what is being done to rectify the reduced RVUs for TKA and THA and lessen the impact on orthopaedic surgeons.

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.

Have a Question or Need Assistance? 

The AAOS Coding Team is here to help. Please contact us with your coding and reimbursement questions.