The AMA released a list of CPT code updates and changes, notably for patient encounters, ordering tests, and discussions, among others. They reported 329 code changes in the most current CPT code edition, some of which impact dermatologists, pathologists, and dermatopathologists.

Although few dermatologists would take pride in their CPT coding skills, being proficient in billing practices can ensure the business side of your practice runs smoothly and gets reimbursed quickly. But as AMA announces major updates to their CPT coding sets, now is the time to check your CPT codes for accuracy and compliance.

There are a few factors that have impacted the need for changes: First, the shift toward value-based care; second, the Patients over Paperwork initiative launched by the US Department of Health and Human Services in 2017; and third, the onset of COVID-19, which required additional codes.

As healthcare systems transition to a VBC model, here’s why it’s important for your CPT codes to be current.  

Why Update CPT Codes?

In response to the growing concern among healthcare providers that the documentation requirements for billing weren’t benefiting patient care, the AMA set out to streamline the CPT coding process. 

According to the AMA, “The CPT code set continues to be modified to respond to the fast pace innovation among digital medicine services that can improve access to health care and improved health outcomes for patients across the country.”

By streamlining the standard for communicating healthcare procedures and services across healthcare teams and health systems, better CPT coding and billing procedures will reduce the cost of care while increasing the quality of care and expand access to it. In addition to preventing fraudulent claims and reducing the risk of monetary or legal penalties, other results may include more accurate billing and a reduction in claim denials, which can frustrate patients and impact a provider’s reputation.

“The AMA is attacking dysfunction in health care by removing obstacles and burdens that interfere with patient care,” the AMA says. “Our focus is on making technology an asset in the delivery of health care, not a burden.”

What CPT Code Changes Can We Expect for Pathology and Dermatopathology?

To focus on codes that impact the pathology, dermatology, and dermatopathology fields, APS Medical Billing released a CPT code change summary highlighting the most common CPT codes. You can access it here. 

For instance, although coding for inpatient encounters and consultations are not affected by these changes, doctors should note changes in codes 99201 through 99215 that pertain to outpatient office visits. “With these landmark changes, as approved by the CPT Editorial Panel, documentation for E/M office visits will now be centered around how physician think and take care of patients and not on mandatory standards that encouraged copy/paste and checking boxes,” says the AMA, adding that the goal of these coding changes is to decrease the overload of documentation and coding, cut down on unnecessary documentation, reduce audits, and make sure reimbursement for E/M is resource-based.

How Does EMR Technology Make It Easy to Update CPT Codes?

Fortunately, using EMR for your patients’ information makes it easy to update CPT code changes. EMR technology houses patient data in a secure location that is easy to organize and share with other healthcare providers, insurance companies, pharmacies, labs, other clinics, billing services, and more. Compared to traditional handwriting, an EMR facilitates the code assignment for billing, increases legibility to reduce errors, curtails paperwork, and eliminates duplicate tests.  

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “Documenting a patient’s record with all relevant and important facts, and having that information readily available, allows providers to furnish correct and appropriate services that can improve quality, safety, and efficiency.” 

If your clinic is considering updating to digital patient records, we’ve weighed some pros and cons of using an EMR system. Check it out! 

Studies show that almost half of all healthcare clinics currently use electronic health records. Most users agree that digital technology successfully streamlines work processes, increases productivity, and improves customer service while expanding a clinic’s reach to other practices. 

But measurable EMR success begins with a better understanding of what EMR systems can (or cannot) do for your medical practice. Let’s discuss three of the most common misconceptions about implementing EMR software as part of your medical practice. 

Myth #1 – EMR Implementation Is Expensive

Much like purchasing medical equipment, there is a cost associated with converting to EMR, but let’s consider where some of your money is going right now:

• Did you know that it costs around $25,000 to fill a four-drawer filing cabinet and over $2,000 every year to maintain those files?
• Did you know the typical office spends around $20 in labor to file each document and $120 in labor searching for lost documents?
• Did you know that, on average, employees spend around 25 to 35 percent of their time looking for information essential to doing their jobs?

When you add it all up, implementing an EMR can actually save on costs, as it can help simplify office processes that position your practice to maximize revenue by tracking revenue management cycles, reducing data input errors, supporting automated tasks, and collecting data for reporting. 

A long-term investment in EMR can create more manageable and scalable practices.

Myth #2 – All EMR Systems Are the Same

EMR systems are not all the same. There are 16 distinct electronic health record platforms currently in use in healthcare systems. In addition, “most hospitals have at least 10 EHRs in place and only two percent are down to just a pair of platforms,” says Tom Sullivan, editor-in-chief of Healthcare IT News. 

Since interoperability is essential for patient care, PathologyWatch offers an HL7 interface for our partners to use.* We provide training for our labs and cover costs to ensure patient information is shared on a dependable and efficient EMR system.

“One challenge with information sharing in healthcare is that there are many universally accepted electronic medical record systems,” says April Larson, a practicing dermatologist and director of clinical implementation at PathologyWatch. “Therefore, while healthcare is becoming increasingly digital, many of us are still disconnected and cannot share medical information—such as clinic notes, lab results, and pathology reports—as seamlessly as we would like.”

When shopping for EMR software, be sure to select an interface that allows your clinic to transfer patient data safely among your health services networks. 

Myth #3 – EMRs Interfere with Patient Engagement

Do EMR systems interfere with positive patient experiences? The answer is “possibly.” Patient engagement can be affected by caregivers’ reliance on technology and data at the exclusion of personal connectivity. The keyword here is “reliance.” 

As a recent National Institutes of Health study states, 

For example, nurses and other health care providers can be so focused on data from monitors that they fail to detect potentially important subtle changes in clinical status. Problems may emerge based on the sheer volume of new devices, the complexity of the devices, the poor interface between multiple technologies at the bedside, and the haphazard introduction of new devices at the bedside. 

With EMR technology, it’s true that too much of a good thing can be hard to manage. For example, it may be difficult to find specific information without sorting through the entire patient file. And that could take time away from interacting with the patient during their appointment. 

However, improvements are underway as EMR software designers work with medical professionals to enhance the patient/physician experience by making EMR tech more user-friendly. And that means new updates that filter patient files so doctors can access specific information rather than scrolling through every page. Considering 42 percent of dermatologists spend an average of nine to 12 minutes with each patient, quick access to information can make better use of limited time. 

Other projected innovations in EMR will connect dermatologists with patients via text messaging and offer online appointment scheduling, automated medication reminders, online appointment request portals, etc. The possibilities are directly geared toward improving the patient experience and supporting your growing dermatology practice. 

Electronic medical records are a fundamental part of future medical office processes. By understanding the long-term benefits of an EMR investment, selecting the EMR system that’s right for your clinic, and developing a balance between technology and positive patient engagement, the success of your dermatology practice won’t be a myth: It will be a legend.

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*Over 90 percent of healthcare system vendors use a Health Level Seven (HL7) Interface, which refers to set standards for transferring data between healthcare providers.