​In 2006, the AMA’s CPT® Editorial Panel established six Category III CPT® codes to describe cardiac computed tomography angiography with contrast materials (cardiac CT services) effective January 1, 2006. In 2010, the six codes were replaced with three Category I CPT® codes, 75572, 75573, and 75574.  The three codes have been paid in alignment with the HOPPS payment rate methodology based on geometric mean cost, ranging from $175-$265 from CY 2015 through CY 2024.

​Magnetic Resonance (MR) safety is a critical concern due to the powerful magnetic fields and radiofrequency energy used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. The MR environment has the potential to pose significant risks to patients with implanted medical devices or foreign bodies. These objects may heat up, move, or malfunction, potentially causing harm. Prior to 2025, there was no specific way to report the extra effort involved in assessing and mitigating these risks before an MR exam or procedure. Now, providers can be reimbursed for the essential tasks required to safeguard these patients, including implant or foreign body evaluation, implant positioning or immobilization, safety consultation, and preparation of electronic devices. This change acknowledges the importance of MR safety protocols and supports the necessary steps to protect patients while maintaining imaging quality. 

​Stay on top of coding and reimbursement guideline updates for the new year with our comprehensive summaries of the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) Final Rules. Packed with insights into key updates and changes impacting healthcare providers, these resources are essential for understanding how reimbursement, policy shifts, and coding updates will shape the year ahead. Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare your organization—download the full summary today by filling out the form below.

Denials for outpatient professional services continue to challenge healthcare providers, with their complexity often leading to delayed reimbursements and financial losses. In the final installment of our denials webinar series, we explored some of the most common causes of these denials, including authorization issues, noncovered services, bundling claims, and diagnosis-driven errors. Here’s a glimpse into what we covered and how this valuable information can help your practice avoid costly mistakes. ​

​As flu and COVID-19 vaccines become essential during peak seasons, ensuring accurate coding and detailed documentation is crucial. Vaccination documentation directly impacts reimbursement, compliance, and patient safety. Yet coding errors and missing details are common issues that healthcare providers face. This article breaks down the critical elements of vaccination documentation and offers practical tips for improving accuracy, helping practices navigate the intricacies of vaccination coding.

​As healthcare continues to evolve, so too do the models that determine how providers are reimbursed for their services. With an increasing shift from procedure-based payments to those that rely heavily on diagnosis coding, ensuring your practice is prepared for these changes is essential for long-term success. The ICD-10-CM diagnosis code set, once considered secondary to procedure codes in reimbursement, is now playing a more central role, making precise documentation critical.

By: Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, and Briauna Driggers

​The Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) determines how physicians are paid for their services and is essential in the healthcare reimbursement process. However, in the field of Radiation Oncology (RO), the current state of PFS has been facing consecutive years of significant challenges. 

By: Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE and Briauna Driggers

Featuring insights from Dr. Jorge J Garcia, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE
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​Pharmacy drug shortages and complex authorization processes can significantly hinder patient care in oncology. This is an issue that has grown both in complexity and impact over recent years. RCCS CEO Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, and Content Marketing Manager Briauna Driggers had the pleasure of discussing this topic with Dr. Jorge J. García, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE, the System Vice President of Oncology, Infusion and Investigational Drug Pharmacy Services at Baptist Health in South Florida. His insights explore these challenges, outline effective management strategies, and discuss necessary policy changes to mitigate these pervasive issues.

By: Briauna Driggers, Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, Pamela Phipps, RN, BSN, CHONC, and Heather M. Nolting, RN, BSN, CHONC

​Oncology nursing is a unique specialty within the nursing profession. It involves not only the care of patients with cancer but also the management of complex treatment protocols and emotional support for patients and their families. With an estimated five million nurse shortage by 2025, onboarding new nurses effectively is more crucial than ever. Two seasoned oncology nurses on the RCCS team, Pamela Phipps and Heather Nolting, sat down with RCCS CEO Ron DiGiaimo and Content Marketing Manager Briauna Driggers to discuss the nuances of oncology nursing and provide advice for new and upcoming nurses to be successful in this challenging and rewarding career.

By: Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, Cheryl Turner, EdD., R.T., (R)(T), and Briauna Driggers

​Immobilization devices are essential tools used in radiation therapy to ensure that radiation is delivered precisely to the targeted area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This equipment plays a critical role in achieving effective and safe cancer treatment.