TCM - TCM - TCM - new acupu ncture codes

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BArb:Working in this venue of federal billing is not my daily deed, as I have

a billing person for that. He spends a lot of time on the phone and earns his

money 4 fold. Will he earn less for me after the years end? We shall see.

I was only guessing as to the end result. I don't think anyone knows or can

know, and in fact, I think it will be different in almost every case and with

most every billing examiner, as it is now. But, I coudl be wrong.

DAVe

 

In a message dated 12/4/04 4:11:22 PM, bbeale writes:

 

 

>

> David,

>

>

>

> So, based on what you’re saying, in PA, a 15-minute increment of acupuncture

> (97810) would be 3 times what an ultrasound treatment would be (in your

> example of $24).  So, essentially $72.   Is that correct??  It was earlier

> recommended the 2 units would comprise a typical treatment or billing which

> would make it $144.  Now we KNOW that won’t be happening.  I’m just

trying

> to clarify, because earlier someone had said that .6 RVU’s would amount to

> about $22.00 (based on the medicare RVU of $37).   Your information is in

> direct contrast to the other and I’m trying to figure out why the

> discrepancy???

>

>

>

> Could you shed any light on this?

>

>

>

> Thanks,

>

>

>

> barb

>

>

>

>   _____ 

>

> acuman1 [acuman1]

> Saturday, December 04, 2004 10:36 AM

> Chinese Medicine

> Re: TCM -  Re: TCM -  new acupu ncture codes

>

>

>

> Richard;

> Please read what was actually written again and attempt to figure it out.

> How

> much is paid for 15 minutes of ultrasound in your area? Multiply that times

> 3

> for 15 minutes of acupuncture, sans electricity. In Pa, it is $24 for the

> ultrasound.

> Hey. The deal is done and lets try and make of it what we can, working with

> the insurers to get the best we can for our services. If we feel this is not

>

> working, we go to the CPT folks and ask for changes.

> Plus, we can still use ABC codes where they are accepted. I like to try ABC

> codes first, then when they are rejected, use CPT.

> David Molony

>

>

> " What is the relative unit value of our services?

> The work value of a 15-minute acupuncture treatment is .60. This compares

> with the work value of .21 for 15 minutes of ultrasound. This is an

> excellent

> valuation for our services and represents a real triumph for the profession

> Because our codes are now timed, our work value will rise with the tide as

> other

> professions fight to increase reimbursement for their services.

>

> Additional 15 minutes of acupuncture has a work value of .55.

> Electroacupuncture is valued at .65 and additional electroacupuncture is

> valued at .60. The

> additional time codes do not include additional pre- and postservice time.

> It

> is assumed that the additional periods of insertion do not require

> additional

> pre- and postservice work.

>

> How much should I charge?

> Regardless of the new CPT codes or Relative Unit Values assigned to these

> codes, you must decide what your services are worth. Neither the AMA nor the

>

> insurance industry is setting your fees by assigning a work value to your

> services. You set your fees based on your own business needs and what the

> average

> cash-paying patient is willing to pay for your services. In other words, it

> is the

> free market, not the insurance company that determines the value of your

> services. "

>

>

> In a message dated 11/30/04 6:37:22 PM, acudoc11 writes:

>

>

> >

> > AAOM

> > David

> >

> > While going through this.....I seemed to have miss read the decimal point.

> >

> > If this is correct at .60 of a single RVU then that would equate

> (inFlorida

> > at $6 per RVU) to about $3.60 for an acupuncture treatment. I understand

> in

> > New

 

> > Mexico the cost factor is around $12 per RVU so there the first 15 minutes

> > would be billed at $7.20.

> >

> > Would you care to elaborate and/or clarify?

> >

> > Richard

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 11/29/04 4:58:26 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> > acuman1

> > writes:

> > What is the relative unit value of our services?

> > The work value of a 15-minute acupuncture treatment is .60. This compares

> > with the work value of .21 for 15 minutes of ultrasound. This is an

> > excellent

> > valuation for our services and represents a real triumph for the

> profession.

> > Because our codes are now timed, our work value will rise with the tide as

> > other

> > professions fight to increase reimbursement for their services.

> >

> > Additional 15 minutes of acupuncture has a work value of .55.

> > Electroacupuncture is valued at .65 and additional electroacupuncture is

> > valued at .60. The

> > additional time codes do not include additional pre- and postservice time.

>

> > It

> > is assumed that the additional periods of insertion do not require

> > additional

> > pre- and postservice work.

> >

> >

> >