• Label the main driver is for “Medical Necessity”, how and why you must communicate this to 3^rd party payers
• List the foundation of coding and be able to apply pertinent ICD10 coding guidelines
• Discover how correct coding may dictate our strength to 3^rd parties and have national implications for our profession.
• Discuss critical questions of the benefits and risks of our Chiropractic diagnosis codes in the insurance industry.
• Identify red flags, complicating factors, and have awareness of Risk management when documenting and coding.
• Identify how insurance companies rank the importance of various diagnoses and its effect on claims’ coverage and processing

Hour One: Documentation and Compliance Overview, Rules and Regulations

• Recognize and avoid or correct behavior that is contrary to the rule of “no opt-out for chiropractors”
• Apply compliance rules set forth by governmental agencies that apply to providers of service to Federally insured patients
• Demonstrate day-to-day application of guidance on Federal Program and state requirements for coding, billing, and finances
• Differentiate between active and maintenance care, according to the official Medicare definitions and other third-party guidelines
• Interpret the four types of risk the Office of Inspector General (HHS) expects providers to focus on with Policy and Procedure, per the OIG Guidance for Small Practices
• Recognize the limitations of experimental, investigational, and unproven technologies

 Hour Two: Documentation of Initial Visits-New Patients, New Episodes, and New Conditions

• Identify and apply concepts that differentiate types of initial visits, from new patients to updated episodes
• Produce documentation of initial visits that comply with board requirements for chiropractors
• Summarize documentation requirements as they apply to the new initial Evaluation and Management guidelines set forth January 1, 2021
• Establish medical necessity for your care and know with surety that initial visit documentation is complete
• Rank complicating factors and contraindications according to priority and include with initial assessment
• Populate a required treatment plan for care, whether for short- or longer-term care

 Hour Three: Documentation and Case Management for Routine Visits, Preventive Maintenance, and Wellness Care

• Differentiate between requirements for medically necessary services vs. maintenance which is self-pay
• Apply primary subluxation vs secondary compensation logic to mitigate risk for the full-spine adjustment
• Reproduce the key elements of routine chiropractic visits in documentation as set forth by third-party, State and Federal guidelines
• Interpret functional data to determine stages and levels of care
• Demonstrate the ability to implement therapeutic withdrawal and to document its results
• Recognize maximum therapeutic benefit (MTB) and properly document discharge from active treatment

 Hour Four: The Risks Associated Billing and Financial Compliance Regulations

• Give examples of billing and financial compliance that cross the line of False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute violations
• Apply billing and financial compliance regulations to the day-to-day operations of the practice, including payment and prepayment plans
• Execute random auditing of charges and collections to meet OIG compliance guidelines
• Recognize and apply the rules of offering financial hardship discounts
• Produce advertising that falls within the guidelines of board and federal rules

• Properly document “doctor thinking” daily in routine patient visit documentation
• Recognize the role of the PART documentation process in Routine Office Visit notes
• Identify and execute the key components of written assessment in daily documentation
• Recognize aspects of documentation and coding of Route Office Visits (ROV) whether active treatment, preventative maintenance, or wellness care.
• Distinguish the unique components of Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan

• Apply the changes in the 2022 ICD-10 code set to the clinical diagnosis process
• Compare examination findings, couple with history, to select the most appropriate written diagnosis
• Document within the clinical record your thought process of selecting diagnostic codes
• Classify diagnoses in order of severity and hierarchy to match projected treatment plan

• Demonstrate the components of recognizing Medical Necessary Care vs. Clinically Appropriate
• Identify CMT coding trends and indicators as they relate to medical necessity
• Properly manage treatment effectiveness for exacerbations and reoccurrences
• Determine Proper Diagnosis and Assessment for Federal Patients
• Acknowledge and audit CMT coding ratios to evaluate the potential risk

• Demonstrate why each and every digit of the DX tells the payer something important Distinguish the nuances of specialized DX coding rules for carriers such as Medicare.
• Discover the importance of DX pointing, and which CPT codes are an absolute MUST to point to DX
• Illustrate how to diagnose with a higher level of specificity and through proper hierarchy Identify the role of the diagnosis in the documentation process'

• Cite the difference between Therapeutic Exercise and Therapeutic Activities
• Properly document all aspects required when utilizing timed therapy services
• Assimilate payer policy details to ensure proper code utilization
• Discuss common errors when documenting and billing exercise therapy services

• Understand the difference between clinically appropriate and medically necessary care
• Identify the clinical indications of when to initiate therapeutic withdrawal
• Execute the components of a final discharge evaluation with proper documentation and recommendations
• Learn how to transition a client from an active phase of care to maintenance as a part of your treatment plan

• Discern Part B from Part C and know the rules for each
• Discuss mandatory enrollment necessary for Chiropractic specialty
• Master the definition of medical necessity vs. clinical appropriateness and who pays in either case
• Recognize the differences between acute, chronic, and maintenance car
• Locate and understand the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for your state including all the rules and guidelines
• Identify CMT coding and how it is differentiated from maintenance in Medicare

• Understand the difference between clinically appropriate and medically necessary care
• Identify the clinical indications of when to initiate therapeutic withdrawal
• Execute the components of a final discharge evaluation with proper documentation and recommendations
• Learn how to transition a client from an active phase of care to maintenance as a part of your treatment plan

• Discern Part B from Part C and know the rules for each
• Discuss mandatory enrollment necessary for Chiropractic specialty
• Master the definition of medical necessity vs. clinical appropriateness and who pays in either case
• Recognize the differences between acute, chronic, and maintenance car
• Locate and understand the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for your state including all the rules and guidelines
• Identify CMT coding and how it is differentiated from maintenance in Medicare

• Discover how proper documentation impacts the revenue cycle and profitability of your office
• Distinguish between Medically Necessary and Clinically Appropriate Care
• Demonstrate how your office compliance program either leaves you vulnerable or reduces your risk
• Develop understanding of compliant fee systems
• Evaluate federal guidelines regarding discounting and/or hardship

• Recognize the mandatory enrollment guidelines for chiropractors and apply the rules to daily practice
• Distinguish between active and maintenance care and employ proper procedure to administrate both types of care
• Complete and document required elements of documentation of active treatment
• Prepare patients to best differentiate care that Medicare considers medically necessary from care that the patient is expected to pay for
• Apply the Medicare standard of financial transactions with patients in order to stay within the Federal collection guidelines

• Evaluate the necessary elements to properly document established patient re-evaluations of all types
• Deliver appropriate evaluation and management services to justify continued care, assess progress, and discharge from this active care when the time is right
• Report the necessary components of documenting the transitional diagnosis and treatment plan after a periodic re-evaluation
• Complete the fundamentals of documenting the assessment of change since the last evaluation as it applies to federal regulations in Medicare

• Differentiate and document for the difference between medical necessity and clinical appropriateness
• Execute a complete and compliant treatment plan that includes all required elements
• Properly record the elements necessary to justify the full-spine adjustment
• Command the mechanics of properly documenting clinical rationale for ordered diagnostics and treatment
• Ensure the inclusion of diagnostic assessment and doctor’s rationale in routine daily visit notes

• Awareness of the value of orderly documentation to you and others
• Ability to duplicate key documentation components that auditors and reviewers expect
• Steps necessary to address how poor documentation can turn a simple record review into a full audit
• Ability to identify commonly missed links connecting documentation to treatment

• Define and recognize common procedures that may be deemed unproven, investigational or experimental
• Determine how individual state boards and payers view these various treatments
• Recognize guidance or rulings from state boards that dictate the need for informed consent
• Properly document the procedures in the medical record
• Apply correct coding to describe the procedure provided
• Personalize a sample Consent to Treat for the procedure provided

• Discover all the elements necessary for appropriate documentation of an episode of care, from the initial visit through the discharge from active treatment
• Have clearer delineation of the beginning and end of episodes of patient care
• Decide when an active episode of care should turn into maintenance care, and document the decision making appropriately
• Identify the required components of documentation as they are outlined in state board documentation requirements, Medicare documentation requirements and other entities’ regulations

• Perform functional testing to identify patients who will benefit from active care rehab
• Correlate functional testing findings with a protocol-driven care plan customized to the patient’s diagnosis
• Recognize and document preferred outcomes that result from properly executed active care techniques
• Follow clinical algorithms to best understand the beginning, middle and end points of active care rehab
• Properly document the clinical rationale for active care rehab by linking it to the diagnosis and treatment plan of initial visit documentation

• Interpret in documentation, the difference between active, medically necessary care vs. clinically appropriate but possibly maintenance adjustments
• Able to distinguish compensatory vs. primary subluxations and document them properly
• Specify proper documentation techniques as a full spine adjuster
• Demonstrate the ability to classify documentation for each chiropractic technique employed

Hour 1 - 5

• Describe the need for prognosis
• Summarize what a prognosis is
• Demonstrate the use of prognostic tools
• Appraise your individual patient’s outlook for recovery.
• Measure the progress
• Make evidence based clinical decisions
• Substantiate your opinion for expert testimony.
• Illustrate the evidence for care.
• Prescribe evidence based care plans.
• Increase your reimbursement for complicated cases.
• Improve the patient report of findings and discharge

Hour 6

• Interpret in documentation, the difference between active, medically necessary care vs. clinically appropriate but possibly maintenance adjustments
• Able to distinguish compensatory vs. primary subluxations and document them properly
• Specify proper documentation techniques as a full spine adjuster
• Demonstrate the ability to classify documentation for each chiropractic technique employed

• Describe the need for prognosis
• Summarize what a prognosis is
• Demonstrate the use of prognostic tools
• Appraise your individual patient’s outlook for recovery.
• Measure the progress
• Make evidence based clinical decisions
• Substantiate your opinion for expert testimony.
• Illustrate the evidence for care.
• Prescribe evidence based care plans.
• Properly document and code complicated cases
• Improve the patient report of findings and discharge procedures

• Recognize and document the difference between active and maintenance care
• Use a decision-making matrix to determine the reportability of active treatment, and to be able to help the patient understand the distinction
• Apply the Medicare standard of recordkeeping to intake requirements to establish a baseline for episodes of care
• Determine whether routine visits qualify as active treatment when presented with new and updated complaints

• Know how to document exactly what’s required for initial visit treatment plans including physical medicine procedures
• Apply sample language to include in each daily visit note that will meet documentation guidelines for these modalities and procedures, including properly recording time for timed services
• Command the mechanics of how to authenticate documentation for services provided by auxiliary team members
• Tie the patient’s diagnosis to the treatment plan for tissue-specific, physical medicine solutions
• Tell a complete and coherent account of the patient’s daily visit journey, outlining the crucial language necessary to justify medical necessity for all services rendered

• Discuss Medicare’s guidelines for documenting quality measures 
• Discuss Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Program (MIPS)
• Identify and determine the eligibility requirements for MIPS
• Identify and discuss the 4 categories under MIPS (Quality, Cost, Promoting Interoperability (PI) and Clinical Practice Improvement Activities (CPIA)
• Recognize how Medicare calculates MIPS to determine payment adjustments

• Compose Complete and Accurate Treatment Plans
• Formulate multiple Standard Treatment Protocols for better compliance and efficiency
• Differentiate patient care plans per Patient condition severity
• Propose recommendations based on exam findings, not third party coverage

• Utilize documentation requirements for the most commonly used CPT codes in the profession
• Apply coding techniques and algorithms to ensure the proper code is selected to meet E/M documentation guidelines
• Recognize the codes that carry the highest degree of risk and confirm that documentation meets the code requirements
• Identify the mandatory elements of medical review policy for selected chiropractic codes

• Apply best practices for using abbreviations, addressing legibility, authentication of signatures, and managing the day-to-day flow of your patient records 
• Clearly delineate the beginning and end of episodes of patient care, proper recording of these episodes, and boundary discussions with patients 
• Locate and utilize the definitions of medically necessary care, and apply it as a differentiator from clinically appropriate care
• Assess documentation across the life cycle of the patient’s chart from history to discharge and on through maintenance and wellness care based on live examples demonstrated
• Identify the deficiencies that may be present in your documentation through the eyes of an auditor

• Recognize the varying specific requirements for documenting unique adjusting techniques in regards to compliant records and risk management
• Properly document patient encounters for medical necessity
• Discuss the Medical Review Policy insurers use in reviewing medical documentation
• Review case studies and examples to identify documentation errors during self-auditing

• Differentiate between supervised modalities, constant attendance modalities, and therapeutic procedures
• Properly document the time and service for any physical medicine modality and procedure
• Clearly define the rationale for these services within the patient's medical record

• Properly document findings and recommendations around muscle therapies
• Master the documentation necessary in daily visits to verify medical necessity
• Identify and implement strategies the most important findings and rationale necessary to add muscle therapies to the treatment plan
• Recognize how to differentiate between various manual therapies to meet the requirements of third-party payers' medical review policy

• Differentiate between active and maintenance care in clinical documentation
• Execute the use of advance notice in third party patients correctly and accurately
• Identify and implement strategies to clarify the difference between active and maintenance care in documentation
• Recognize and adopt best practices in proper notification about maintenance care vs. active treatment

• Recognize the key components regarding good documentation and record keeping
• Identify the legal requirements of informed consent and the key elements of the informed consent process
• Discuss why doctors are held to higher standards
• Describe the 21 NCQA guidelines for record keeping
• Document progress notes (SOAP) to meet insurance guidelines and medical necessity
• Apply the PARTS system and its transformation utilizing a new method AIR S & M
• Utilize CMT coding appropriately
• Utilize E/M (Evaluation/Management) coding appropriately to meet insurance guidelines and medical necessity
• Identify the 3 categories and 2 subcategories of E/M codes
• Identify the 5 levels of E/M services for new and established patients
• Identify the 7 components (descriptors) used to determine the level of E/M service
• Select the appropriate level of E/M services utilizing 7 simple steps

• Discuss the history of ICD-10-CM codes
• Discuss the Official ICD-10-CM Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
• Identify and discuss the tools needed to navigate the ICD-10 codes
• Discuss the General Equivalence Mappings (GEM’s) and their significance and how they relate to ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
• Identify and discuss how to select the appropriate ICD-10 code to its highest specificity
• Examples to be discussed

• Comprehend the reasons for transitioning from ICD9 to ICD10
• Determine the critical differences with the new ICD10 codes
• Utilize the proper alpha and numeric aspects of commonly used ICD10 codes for  Chiropractic
• Observe the practicality of combining clinical documentation and the proper use of ICD10 codes.

• Define the Problem Oriented Medical Record (POMR).
• Demonstrate taking a complete patient history.
• Define the Evaluation and Management examination for the musculoskeletal system.
• Define Outcome Assessment.
• Illustrate the P.A.R.T. format of documentation.
• Define proper assessment for SOAP notes.
• Discuss proper documentation of treatment performed on each visit.
• Discuss proper documentation of treatment plans.

• Develop the skills for medical documentation record-keeping for proper patient care
• Recognize the importance and benefits of documentation methodology from the standpoint of risk management
• Identify selected documentation problems and errors
• Summarize recommendations for improving patient care documentation for those Doctors not using an EHR

• Develop the skills for medical documentation record-keeping for proper patient care and adherence to insurance value based parameters
• Recognize the importance, and benefits of thorough chart documentation from the standpoint of the patient, the provider, the profession and third-party payors
• Show how outcome assessment documentation benefits the patient, the provider, the profession, and third-party payors
• Demonstrate physical examination procedures that are the basis for diagnosis formulation and value based data
• Examine skills necessary to incorporate an outcomes-based, evidenced-influenced approach to patient-centered health care in bodily injuries

• Demonstrate understanding of the key elements of revised E/M services
• Determine the elements that count as Time-Activities and how to calculate appropriately
• Establish protocol to determine Medical Decision Making element of E/M encounter
• Apply the new algorithm to appropriately code for E/M services under the 2021 model
• Discover how to still demonstrate Medical Necessity with the revised E/M codes
• Determine why history and examination are still needed

• Recognize the common pitfalls that can put your clinic at risk
• Review the difference between a mandatory ABN and a voluntary ABN
• Identify the appropriate time to initiate a mandatory ABN
• Implement customized and compliant ABNs for your clinic by following the rules

Hour 1

• Define standard of care.
• Examine the requirements of Chiropractic documentation.
• Evaluate Chiropractic care and the functional relationship.
• Review state specific examples of documentation requirements.
• Discuss what is mean by episode of care.

 Hour 2

• Establish the baseline of care.
• Identify the inadequacies of intake forms.
• Comply with the requirements of the initial encounter report.
• Review the consultation documentation in various case scenarios.
• Apply appropriate medical decision-making processes and documentation.

 Hour 3

• Examine the Documentation Requirements of a SOAP Note.
• Utilize PART in documentation.
• Utilize outcome assessment tests in documenting medical necessity of care.
• Identify Assessment and its relationship to medical necessity.
• Solidify elements of the treatment plan to support medical necessity.
• Apprise utilization management and review analysis of documentation.

Hour 1

• Demonstrate the key elements pertaining to Medicare’s documentation requirements for initial and subsequent patient encounters  
• Describe the three categories of chiropractic care covered through Medicare and the one category exempt from Medicare coverage
• Apply Medicare’s x-ray requirements for documenting a subluxation
• Utilize Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notification (ABN) form and its guidelines 
• Use Medicare’s PARTS system to document a subluxation
• Summarize the transformation of Medicare’s PARTS system utilizing the AIR S & M method               
• Include proper Medicare documentation for daily progress notes (SOAP), in order to meet insurance guidelines and meet medical necessity 

Hour 2

• Integrate a 4 step approach to meet E/M (Evaluation/Management) coding requirements to meet Medicare’s guidelines

Hour 3

• Review Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MARCA) aka Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) and the Merit Based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS)                                                                    

Hour 4

• Apply the critical components of Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT) coding and Medicare’s requirements for documentation
• Use diagnostic codes ICD-10 (primary subluxation M-codes biomechanical lesions and secondary medical codes) to meet Medicare’s diagnosis requirements
• Recognize Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes and how it relates to the Medicare system
• Utilize Medicare modifiers   
• Identify some of the key items with regards to completing the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 1500 claim form   
• Summarize Medicare’s mandatory claims submission policy                                   
• Explain the five levels of Medicare appeals process
• Distinguish between Medicare participating vs. non-participating provider requirements

Hour 1

• Utilize improved patient communication skills with Medicare Patients 
• Apply appropriate risk management procedures to enhance patient communication
• Identify the four elements of legal malpractice and recognize the key components to avoid a malpractice action  
• Utilize key components of good documentation and record keeping
• Integrate the legal requirements of informed consent in your informed consent process 

Hour 2

• Summarize why doctors are held to higher standards
• Discuss the Do’s and Don’ts of record keeping
• Use the 21 NCQA guidelines for appropriate medical record keeping and integrate the 3 key components of Evidence Based Practice (EBP)

Hour 3

• Assess Medicare’s mandatory Electronic Health Records (EHR) requirement        
• Discuss key items related to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports regarding Medicare and chiropractic services
• Summarize Executive Order issued by the White House titled reducing improper payments and eliminating waste in the Federal Programs

Hour 4

• Determine what triggers an audit and key items to consider if audited
• Utilize a step by step approach to meet all Federal Medicare Documentation guidelines 
• Summarize Medicare’s guidelines for necessity of chiropractic care and its covered services
• Prepare treatment plans per Medicare’s regulation requirements
• Recognize Medicare’s policy requirements pertaining to x-ray/diagnostic reimbursement
• Determine if ordering vs. referred services meet Medicare’s policy when performed by a chiropractic physician

• Develop the skills for medical documentation record keeping for proper patient care and adherence to insurance protocols
• Summarize informed consent, Evidenced-based care, Medicare guidelines and NCQA guidelines
• Identify common treatment procedures and modalities used in a chiropractic practice And recognize contraindications to them
• designate specific items to consider when interpreting and/or taking plain film X-rays
• Summarize the value of laboratory and diagnostic testing.
• Recognize the importance of patient communication skills in order to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients
• Modify procedures and forms to prevent the possibility of a legal malpractice action against the doctor