Ensure You Are Billing the Proper Place of Service (POS) Codes

The AAPC's Coding Edge Magazine published "Keep Out of Hot Water with Proper POS", an informative article regarding proper Place of Service (POS) coding.

It's important to note that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has been conducting audits and the proper POS codes are becoming more frequent in the errors they are reviewing.

The article is broken down into the following topics:

• How POS Affects Payment
• Frequent Errors Raise OIG's Ire
• How to Avoid POS Problems
• Clear Guidance on POS Definitions

This article also has an informative list of settings where physician's services are paid at the facility rate.

To download and view the full article, please go to the following link: Keep Out of Hot Water with Proper POS (PDF)

Ensure You're Billing Your Place of Service (POS) Codes Correctly

In medical coding and billing, place of service (POS) codes are two digit codes that specify where the patient received their treatment.  To ensure you are appropriately receiving payment, using the correct POS code is crucial.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), incorrect billing of the POS code may result in over-payments to the physician and may also change the amount you are reimbursed by Medicare.

Billing the incorrect POS code may also cause your practice to face issues with the OIG (Office of Inspector General) as they have been reviewing correct POS coding in more detail over the past couple of years.

The following guideline, Place of Service Codes Guideline explains the POS codes and the descriptions for these codes as well as whether or not the pay rate is for a facility (F) or non-facility (NF).

To download and view the full guideline, please go to the following link: Place of Service Codes Guideline.