In today’s age of declining reimbursement, it has never been more important for neurosurgeons to be up-to-speed on coding and reimbursement requirements. “With the rules and regulations becoming more complex, and the number of Medicare fraud cases surfacing at a rampant pace, neurosurgeons and key office staff need to have a complex understanding of proper coding procedures to avoid denied reimbursement and, worse, investigations and fines,” said Richard A. Roski, MD, FACS.
Since joining the AANS Professional Development team in 1995, Dr. Roski has served as Chair of more than 25 Coding and Reimbursement courses, and has provided participants with valuable insight on coding and reimbursement issues.
“I became interested in the Professional Development Program nearly five years ago,” said Dr. Roski. “I had been volunteering with the American Medical Association on several CPT coding initiatives, and recognized that there was a need for continuing educational course geared specifically toward neurosurgeons, and that aimed at providing useful information on coding, billing and reimbursement procedures. I found that the PDP’s existing Reimbursement Program met all those needs, and more.”
The AANS currently offers two courses: “Reimbursement Foundations: Neurosurgical Billing and Coding for Efficiency” and “Advanced Coding and Reimbursement Concepts in Neurosurgery.”
Describing the Reimbursement Course Program, Dr. Roski said, “The Foundations and Advanced Reimbursement courses are unlike any other. They are designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience that covers all aspects of neurosurgical coding and documentation. More important, they are taught by authorities in the field-neurosurgeons and practice management consultants specializing in coding and reimbursement issues.”
In the next couple of years, the Professional Development Program will look at enhancing the quality of the Reimbursement Program by focusing on issues that address the changing neurosurgical and socioeconomic climate. According to Dr. Roski, “Our plans for future Reimbursement courses include coupling updates on CPT coding with information on how to effectively manage a neurosurgical practice.”
This new focus, coupled with the innovative practice management courses the Professional Development Program is planning, is meant to respond to the changing needs of every practicing neurosurgeon.
In addition to serving as course Chair of the Foundations and Advanced Reimbursement courses. Dr, Roski is a strong advocate for developing appropriate neurosurgical CPT codes. He is a member of the AANS?CNS Physician Reimbursement Committee and is Co-Chair of the AANS/CNS CPT Coding Task Force. In addition, he serves as the AANS representative to the CPT Advisory Panel of the American Medical Association.
If you would like to learn more about the Professional Development Program, or register for a Coding and Reimbursement course, please contact the Professional Development Department in the AANS National Office at 847.692.9500.