As the practice of neurosurgery continues to evolve, the Education and Practice Management Committee, in conjunction with the Department of Education & Practice Management (EPM), not only keeps pace but is continually offering new educational products and services to assist our neurosurgical membership in staying “one step ahead” of competition, the regulatory environment and payers. Here is a summary of the latest educational services offered by the Department of Education & Practice Management.
New Educational Offerings
Neurosurgical Practice Management: Improving Your Competitive Advantage. This new course focused on how neurosurgeons and their practice administrators can improve their competitive advantage via effective strategic planning, financial management and practice marketing. The course was designed to provide practice management strategies specific to neurosurgery that will provide an effective and immediate impact.
Beyond Residency: The Real World. For the first time, the AANS is coordinating a one-day coding and practice management course designed to assist residents in preparing themselves for the “Real World.” Topics will include basic coding, legal issues, how to evaluate a job and establish a practice, practice management and the advantages and a comparison of academic vs. private practice.
Educate Yourself and Your Practice Staff Without Leaving the Office. AANS and Economedix, LLC have partnered to present 21 of the best, most cost-effective practice management training seminars brought into your medical practice office via the online education. The seminars are presented live from the Internet and heard via teleconference or can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week through seminar-on-demand technology. Courses include: Human Resources, Compliance and Medicare, Patient Flow and Marketing, Coding and Reimbursement and Financial Management. Each course can be viewed by an unlimited number of practice employees and physicians for only $99.
In 2002, EPM will also develop clinical courses, focusing first on spine and neuroendoscopy. Watch for upcoming course information on https://www.aans.org.
Bedrock Courses
The following courses form the very strong foundation of the AANS’ Education and Practice Management program. Changes and updates to these courses occur every year to ensure that the educational activity continues to meet the complex needs of our neurosurgical membership.
Managing Coding & Reimbursement Challenges in Neurosurgery: 2001. This is a new and improved advanced coding and reimbursement course that addresses issues specific to today’s complex neurosurgical practice. New course content this year includes a compliance program section and an extended length of time dedicated to practice coding sessions.
Neurosurgery Review by Case Management: Oral Board Preparation. This highly interactive course assists board candidates in becoming familiar with the mechanics of the oral exam and at the same time provides an intense review of clinical neurosurgery in an enjoyable format. This course is an intense learning experience in a group setting and breakout session format. The Oral Board Review course is considered the $must have” educational experience to assist with successful completion of oral board exams.
Publications and Other Resources
EPM also is focused on providing the resources necessary to succeed in the current state of healthcare delivery and practice. The following are just a few of the new and updated publications that have been developed to achieve this goal:
Practice Compliance Handbook. In response to the Office of Inspector General’s &36;Compliance Program for Individual and Small Group Practices,&36; the AANS developed this binder of valuable information. The handbook reviews thhe seven components of a compliance program and provides the tools needed to customize a program for your practice.
A Guide to Coding Procedures for Neurosurgery. Originally published in 1998, this guide was completely updated in April. It is a collection of procedure-related information designed to facilitate the efforts of neurosurgeons and their staff in the accurate and prompt coding and processing of procedure claims.
Express Code: Quick Reference to ICD-9 Coding. This new coding resource contains over 300 codes which are frequently used in neurosurgical practices.
Neurosurgeon’s E&M Reference Card. This is an updated pocket-size guide to the basic coding and documentation guidelines for Evaluation and Management Services specific to a neurosurgical practice.
Our Mission
The EPM mission is to $assess, develop, provide, and continually evaluate appropriate and effective educational products to support its members’ educational needs.&36; We continually strive to fulfill the mission by developing products that exceed the expectations of our membership. For information, call Jane Ries at (847) 378-0558.
David F. Jimenez, MD, is Chair of the Education and Practice Management Committee. Jane M. Ries, MHA, is Director, AANS Department of Education & Practice Management.