Welcome to the Summer issue of "Compass," Welcome to the Summer issue of Compass, the Billing Compliance newsletter. This newsletter periodically informs clinical faculty, house staff, and other University personnel about current issues related to professional fee billing. Billing Assistance Available The Office for Billing Compliance is available for education, guidance, clarification, and assistance on billing practices. The office provides instructions in documentation standards and guidance in billing policies and procedures. Please feel free to share your thoughts or concerns with me or with any member of the compliance staff. We can be reached at 305-3842. Billing Compliance Hotline 305-7739 (7-7739) Sincerely, Robert M. Lewy, M.D. Senior Associate Dean for Academic Appointments and Regulatory Compliance

Contents Billing Compliance Education Program Diagnostic Information required for all Laboratory and Radiology Services Data Mining Software Approved by HCFA Consults without the Presence of the Patient Physicians Are Responsible for Service Claims Submitted for Payment Expansion of E&M Auditing Future Coding Changes Physician Supervision of Diagnostic Procedures within an Office Setting Team Conferences Attending Physician Consultations in the Emergency Room Medicare Coverage Expands Provider Identification Numbers (PINS) Columbia University Billing Compliance Hotline Eliminate Simple Billing Errors Professional Medical Coding Course Medicare Payment Errors Charges for Medicare-Eligible Patients with a Primary Commercial Insurance Local Medicare Carrier Policies