Billing and Collections

Prevent Improper Code Bundling With New Medicare Tool - 02/15/2023

Physicians can take advantage of a new Medicare tool to sort through the thousands upon thousands of service codes that can be bundled together for claims payment – and avoid improper billing.

No Surprises Act Includes Directory Update Requirement - 02/10/2023

In addition to resolving payment disputes over out-of-network medical care, the federal No Surprises Act aims to make sure health plans’ practitioner directories stay up to date, and part of that aim puts an onus on physicians.

Medicine to Congress: Don’t Give Health Plans More Leverage - 02/09/2023

The federal government should take a balanced approach to surprise medical bills that includes commercially reasonable upfront payments and independent arbitration, the Texas Medical Association and many other medical societies are telling key members of Congress.

TMA Offers Remedies to Ease Surprise Billing - 02/08/2023

Texas patients sometimes feel the pain from unexpected out-of-pocket costs not covered by their health insurance, known as “surprise billing” or “balance billing.” The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is taking aim at the problem, which occurs when a health insurance company pays less than what a doctor charges, leaving the patient to pay the balance of the bill.

Here’s Your Billing and Collections Checklist for 2023 - 01/06/2023

TMA’s Reimbursement Services staff work year round with physicians and health plans to help make sure you get paid correctly and on time. They’ve put together a list of practical actions you can take at the start of 2023 to keep your billing and collections on track throughout the year.

OIG: Physicians Incorrectly Billing for End-of-Life Care Planning - 01/05/2023

Advance care planning (ACP) services were meant to give patients the opportunity to choose the care that is right for them at the end of their lives or during medical crises that could render them unable to make personal health decisions.

Check Claims Dates for Drug Administration as Coding Updates Loom - 12/02/2022

With annual updates to billing codes for medications set for Jan. 1, physicians are reminded to use the most current National Drug Code (NDC) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) combinations when filing claims for drug administration.

E/M Revisions in 2023 CPT Code Set Aim to Simplify Documentation - 11/02/2022

In an effort to continue to tamp down physicians’ administrative burden, the American Medical Association has revised the codes and guidelines for most evaluation and management services in its 2023 Current Procedural Terminology code set.

No Penalties for Now in Medicare’s Appropriate Use Criteria Program - 10/25/2022

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has said it would postpone indefinitely the payment penalty phase of its appropriate use criteria (AUC) program, which was expected to begin as soon as Jan. 1, 2023.

Practice Operations Services - 09/16/2022

With the many challenges that face today's medical practices, business operations remain at the core of a practice's ability to be successful and profitable. Work with a TMA practice management consultant to identify and assess key or problematic areas of your practice.

Financial Management Services - 09/15/2022

Having sound financial policies and processes can help your practice attain a steady cash flow, maintain healthy collection ratios, increase staff efficiencies, and boost your overall bottom line.

Pass-Through Billing Generally Not Permitted - 09/14/2022

Pass-through billing occurs when an ordering physician requests a service and bills insurance for it but does not perform the service. Insurance companies generally forbid this practice.

Don’t Forfeit Your APM Incentive Payment; Act Now - 08/23/2022

Wondering where your 5% payment incentive is for participating in an advanced alternative payment model (APM) in the 2020 Quality Payment Program?

Nickel and Dimed: Physicians Can Avoid Electronic Credit Cards and Their Fees - 07/29/2022

Some small medical insurance companies are trying to force physicians to receive payment via electronic credit cards, but medical practices can avoid this costly problem.

CMS Continues Webinar Series on No Surprises Act - 07/07/2022

Two upcoming webinars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – including one scheduled for next week – will educate physicians on the federal No Surprises Act (NSA) as part of a collaboration between CMS and the American Medical Association.

About Nurses as Assistants at Surgery - 06/22/2022

Learn what a first assistant nurse is, and how to bill when they assist during surgery.

Texas Medicare Contractor Answers Critical Care Coding Questions - 05/25/2022

Confused about how to quantify critical care services or delegate such services to nonphysician practitioners? You’re in luck.

Federal Surprise Billing Law in Effect: Get Educated - 04/05/2022

Despite ongoing litigation over certain aspects of the federal surprise billing law, the patient protection components of the No Surprises Act still took effect at the beginning of the year. With them come a number of changes that could significantly impact physician practices now that balance billing is largely prohibited.

Health Plans Not All Recognizing New Telehealth Code - 04/05/2022

A new telehealth code and a series of coding modifier descriptors have already taken effect in 2022 or will take effect soon. But not all health plans are recognizing the new coding elements, according to Texas Medical Association staff monitoring their status.

Four Bill-Collecting Tips for New (or Any) Practices - 02/01/2022

Starting a practice can be daunting, and one challenge often overlooked is making sure you get paid. Although only a small number of patients will not pay you, or will pay slowly, they can hurt your bottom line. Writing off thousands of dollars in charges should not be an option.

Sample Letter: Enlisting Patients Assistance for Claims Payment - 11/17/2021

This is a sample letter regarding a patient's outstanding health insurance payment.

New Pocket Guides Added to TMA Quick Tips Page - 11/12/2021

Confused about billing for bilateral procedures or transitional care management? The wealth of resources on the Texas Medical Association’s Educational Quick Tips webpage recently grew with the addition of pocket guides for these services.

How to Avoid Coding Mistakes in Texas Medicaid - 10/15/2021

Ensuring Texas Medicaid dollars are spent for their intended purpose requires the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to work with health care professionals to prevent waste. Accurate medical coding is part of that work. Incorrect codes result in overpayments – which impact taxpayers – and underpayments, which can impact your practice.

When Should We Write Off Large Patient Balances? - 09/23/2021

Is there a formula to calculate the net present value for the balance of a patient’s account compared with a small monthly payoff?

COVID-19: Billing and Coding - 09/16/2021

View COVID-19 resources related to billing and coding.