Billing and Coding
Ask the coding experts
Review some of the latest questions received by the AOA’s Coding Experts and see their answers.

Update: Merit-based Incentive Payment System quality measures
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made changes to certain quality measures for 2022—find out if they impact you.

Coding for presbyopia eye drops
What are the proper coding options when doctors of optometry prescribe eye drops as an adjunctive treatment option for presbyopia? The AOA’s coding experts review several alternatives for billing eye examinations.

Coding and contact lens safety
It is essential to appropriately code incidents related to contact lens problems.

Crack the Codes

CMS’ 2022 Medicare PFS decreases conversion factor, sets new policy goals
The final rule includes a list of updated payment policies, quality measures adjustments and telehealth changes for the 2022 calendar year. How AOA’s input shaped rulemaking and what it means for doctors.

CMS releases information on Part B claims-based quality measure scoring for 2021
MIPS participants: A CMS system processing error caused rejections of certain quality data codes.

New ICD-10 codes take effect Oct. 1: What they say about social determinants of health
In addition to the new codes for social determinants of patients' health, a new, billable diagnosis code was created to report encounters for immunizations.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
In assessing new products, consider first what is best for your patients and practice—but also consider reimbursement related to new equipment.

New E/M codes: Is time on your side?
While how time is considered has changed, it is critical to remember that usage of the prolonged service modifier also has changed.

Coding ethically: What to do when a coding decision is made incorrectly
The AOA Ethics and Values Committee releases topical and timely case study on coding abuse and what to do about it once suspected.