This page addresses follow-up questions and additional information pertinent to our webinar
Preventing Errors When Assigning AWV and Annual Physical Codes.
** The coding information and guidance are valid at the time of publishing. Learners are encouraged to research
subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.
Q: Why are AWVs important if they are not doing a complete exam?
A: The AWV is a way for providers and patient to keep the patient as healthy as possible from a more proactive approach rather than reactive. It creates opportunity to focus on risks and preventive needs by reviewing the patient’s risk factors and determining what health issues might become a concern. The being that identifying these things, preventive measures can be taken to avoid major health or injury issues.
Q: Is there a list of approved HRA forms?
A: CMS does not require a specific HRA form. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did publish a “framework” for the HRA in a 52-page report. Some takeaways are: it should be written at a sixth-grade literacy level and be designed so that most patients can complete it in 20 minutes or less.
Items to include: demographic data, self-assessment of health, psychosocial and behavioral risks, ADLs, IADLs.
Q: Is there a way to determine if a patient has had an AWV within last 12 months if they are new to my clinic?
A: You have different options for accessing AWV eligibility information depending on where you practice. First option is to find your Medicare Contractor or MAC’s website and use their online provider portal, each MAC also offers an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, or you can check the HIPAA Eligibility Transaction System (HETS). Here is the CMS MLN link for eligibility information. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln8816413-checking-medicare-eligibility.pdf
Looking for additional information on this topic?
Emily Lomaquahu, CPC, CPMA, CEDC
Senior Coding Quality Auditor & Educator
Emily is a Senior Coding Quality Auditor for Haugen Consulting Group and brings over a decade of experience to the profee team! She began her career as an auditor and with her keen eye for detail, she quickly found it was a perfect fit. Emily thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys creating high-quality trainings to help providers and coders navigate charts and improve their accuracy. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, in Denver. Emily specializes in Evaluation and Management (E/M), Primary Care, Anesthesia, Emergency Department, and Neurology, though she says Anesthesia and Neurology are her favorites! She is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA), and Certified Emergency Department Coder (CEDC).
0 Comments