·	Annual Meeting
·	Online Course: Minimally Invasive Microendoscopic Decompressive Laminotomy for Lumbar Stenosis
·	Online Course: C1 Lateral Mass Screw Placement
·	Direct Lateral and Other Minimally Invasive Approaches to the Spine
·	Weekend Update: Interactive Review of Clinical Neurosurgery by Case Management
·	Neurosurgeon as CEO: The Business of Neurosurgery
·	2010 Managing Coding & Reimbursement Challenges in Neurosurgery Courses
·	Goodman Oral Board Preparation: Neurosurgery Review by Case Management
·	Practice Management
·	Subspecialty Section Meetings
·	General Information
·	Online Registration
·	Master Series Courses

2008 Managing Coding & Reimbursement
Courses and Practice Management Workshop

Course Brochure (PDF 742KB)

Register Online

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Why do physicians undercode? Could be lack of time, could be lack of information, could be fear of an audit! Keeping up with the constant changes in claims coding and billing rules that occur every year is both costly and time consuming, and the risks of noncompliance can be very serious. AANS coding and reimbursement courses help neurosurgical practices optimize overall reimbursement

and reduce claim denials. From bundled services, modifiers, and global service periods to changes in federal and state legislation, keeping up-to-date with the 2008 coding changes is crucial to maximizing your bottom line. Welltrained coders can easily cover their salary and more by learning the nuances and correct ways to code and appeal!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

[This is my] second time [taking this course] and I found it enhanced everything I’ve learned in the past year. – Pat Heck, RN, MSN, Mobile, AL "

Courses are designed for neurosurgeons, practice managers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, surgery schedulers, coders, billing office staff and other office staff members. When neurosurgeons attend with their reimbursement team, there is the highest return on investment because the entire team hears and takes the same message home to implement change.

Ensure that your physician(s) and staff are using the 2008 codes correctly to maximize reimbursement!

Whether you are new to neurosurgical coding or a seasoned veteran, you won’t want to miss this course!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this CME activity, participants should be able to:

• Discuss Medicare reimbursement policies and how these may affect reimbursement from other payers
• Identify how new 2008 codes will impact your practice
• Apply correct coding concepts to your cranial and spine coding
• Utilize modifiers effectively to protect surgical and E&M reimbursement
• Differentiate expected reimbursement for your most commonly reported codes and outline a strategy to analyze actual reimbursement
• Assess your ability to recognize and appeal inappropriate denials

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
7:30 AM	Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 10:00 AM	E&M Coding*
10:00 - 10:15PM	Break
10:15 - Noon	Coding and Reimbursement Issues/Cases
12:00 - 12:45 PM	Lunch (provided)
12:45 - 2:15 PM	Coding and Reimbursement Issues/Cases
2:15 - 2:30 PM	Break
2:30 - 4:00 PM	Coding and Reimbursement Issues/Cases

*Optional
Courses are "hands-on" so be sure to bring your 2008 CPT book. A limited number of CPT books will be available onsite for purchase. Books are not available to borrow during the course.

COURSE LOCATIONS

SAVE THE DATE! Neurosurgical Practice Management Workshop Sunday, June 29, 2008 From the Trenches: Real Life Practice Management Tools (One day following the Chicago coding and reimbursement program) Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago (see hotel information above) Chicago, IL In this session, neurosurgeons and their office staff will learn the most up-to-date resources available to assist in managing the business side of the practice. You’ll learn it is often the simplest strategies that can have the greatest impact on your practice performance. A completely new course faculty is in place for 2008! Learn from a panel of experts who have proven success records for enhancing the bottom line in all aspects of your practice. Look for updated and innovative practice management techniques from leading experts in neurosurgery! Learning Objectives Upon completion of this CME activity, participants should be able to: Differentiate practical tips of the trade from the experts as well as from those in the trenches. Discuss proactive measures that your practice can take to plan for a successful future. Apply the experiences of others to learn how to successfully implement technology in your practice. Identify strategies to maximize appropriate reimbursement for the services provided. Click here for more information. (PDF 58.0KB)

CODING COURSE FACULTY:

Gregory J. Przybylski, MD
AANS Coding Program Director
JFK Medical Center – Neuroscience Institute
Edison, New Jersey

Joseph S. Cheng, MD, MS
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Mina Foroohar, MD Northwest Neurosurgery Institute, LLC
Arlington Heights, Illinois

Robert R. Johnson II, MD, FACS
Michigan Head and Spine Institute
Southfield, Michigan

Alexander M. Mason, MD
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

William Mitchell, MD
Cooper Neurological Institute
Willingboro, New Jersey