AAPC ST. LOUIS WEST CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
JANUARY2013
President: Ileana Stewart, CPCEmail: / Vice President: Marianne Schanthal, CPC
Email:
Treasurer: Lydia Thomas, CPC, CCC
Email: / Secretary: Jamie Montgomery, CPC
Email:
Education Officer: Shanell Crosswhite
Email: / Member Development: Barbara Fontaine, CPC
Email:
Letter from the President
The holiday season has come and gone. I hope this newsletter finds everyone happy, healthy and looking forward to the New Year. 2013 promises to be exciting and filled with opportunities for all.
It has been my pleasure to serve as your Treasurer and work with my fellow board members for the past two years. I feel honored to serve as your President for 2013. I am excited to be working with the rest of our new officers, Marianne Schanthal, Vice-President, Jamie Montgomery, Secretary, Lydia Thomas, Treasurer, Shanell Crosswhite, Education Officer and Barbara Fontaine, Member Development Officer.
As ICD-10 comes closer to the 2014 implementation date we are planning several educational events to better enable everyone to make this transition. Several members have requested that we hold additional Anatomy and Physiology classes again this year. Debbie Flieger, our 2012 President, has graciously offered her time and expertise in this area. We are also planning to center the Seventh Annual Local Conference around the ICD-10 theme.
When it comes to the needs of others St. Louis Professional Coders always has been ready with an open heart. I am always amazed at and very proud of the generosity of our members. In 2012 we raised $800.00 that was donated to the National Scholarship Fund. This Fund is a financial aid program created with the intent of assisting AAPC members with membership and certification in times of financial difficulty due to an unexpected hardship. It was developed by and is overseen by the AAPCCA Board of Directors. In 2013 we will be donating half of all 50/50 proceeds to this fund. We will also continue, as in years past, to donate canned goods and school supplies to local charities.
I look forward to the 2013 year and encourage all to get involved with the chapter. We are all ears and would love to hear your suggestions to make our chapter better for each of us.
I hope to see you all at the Chapter Meeting on January 17th at 6 pm.
Ileana Stewart, BS, CPC
President
Question from the President
Be sure to check out the Local Chapter Forum page at for this month’s question!
Bring the answer to the January meeting and earn 1 point for education!
January Chapter Meeting Info
Mark your calendar now and join us on Thursday January 17th at 6:00 pmfor our chapter meeting.
Our speaker will be Paul Chandler, a member of the St. Louis East Chapter who will speak on starting an auditing program in your own office.
Donations, Donations, Donations!
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Bring two canned goods to the January meeting and earn 1 point for education!!
Thank you!
Your 2013 chapter meeting fee is $10 per meeting
Did you know??
You can get a whole year’s worth of meetings, by paying $100 at
either the January 17th or February 14th, 2013 meetings.
Also in 2013, New Members and Students can attend their first
meeting at no charge. After the first meeting, the $10 meeting fee applies.
2013 Calendar of Events
7 am Meetings6pm MeetingsExam Dates
Thursday February 14th Thursday January 17th (All on Saturday @ 6:30 am)
Thursday April 18th Thursday March 21st February 16th
Thursday June 13th Thursday May 16thApril 27th
Thursday August 15th Thursday July 18thJune 22nd
Thursday September 19thSeptember 21st
Tuesday October 15thDecember 14th
Thursday November 21st
Thursday December 19th
POINTS FOR EDUCATION INITIATIVE
With so many new members joining our Chapter each month we wanted to distribute the Points for Education Program information again! Please see below on how to earn points and how they are redeemed.
*The Points for Education Initiative is not the same thing as CEU’s.
*The Points for Education Initiative is a program where chapter members earn can
points toward their name badge and Chapter Bucks. This program is a way of
giving back to the members to further their education which can earn CEU’s.
Members can earn Points in a number of different ways:
• Donating 2 items to Community Service - 1 point
• Writing an article for newsletter – 1 point
• Attending a monthly chapter meeting – 2 points
• Single Committee membership – 2 points
• Dining 4 Kids Night – 2 points
• Attending Komen Race for the Cure – 2 points
• Attending local fundraising event – 3 points
• Serving on standing committee – 3 points
• Chapter officer proctoring certification exam – 3 points
• Chairing a committee – 4 points
• Submitting name as officer – 4 points
• Speaker at monthly chapter meeting – 5 points
• Non-officer proctoring certification exam – 5 points
• Local conference attendee – 7 points
• New member attending first meeting – 10 points
• Regional conference attendee – 12 points
• National Conference attendee – 18 points
• Attending local educational event – Equal CEU’s
• Other charitable contributions – TBD by President
After accumulating 19 points, the member has earned their chapter namebadge, please see an Officer if you would like to order the badge, you may also opt to use these points toward Chapter Bucks.
Next, in10 point increments a member earns $10 Chapter Bucks certificates whichcan be redeemed by the Treasurer for meeting fees, chapter educationalprograms offered for AAPC approved CEU’s, conferences (local, regional, ornational), or teleconferences and other AAPC seminars and programs. Themember must submit a paid receipt to the Treasurer with their Chapter Bucksto be reimbursed.
PLEASE Save Your 2012 Coding Books!
Have you ever wondered what to do with your “expired” coding books? Did you know there are fellow chapter members who would LOVE to borrow those coding books?
The Hardship Scholarship Committee, formed as part of your AAPCCA Board, has discovered how important coding books from the previous year are to members who are struggling to retain their comprehension and maintain their credentials. So many members are out of work or not currently working in the coding field, and these books would be a tremendous benefit to them as they review the Coding Edge.Please consider donating your 2012 coding books to your chapter or fellow chapter members who might otherwise not have these resources.
WELCOME NEW ST. LOUIS WEST CHAPTER MEMBERS!!!
Alysen BearMargaret Bogart, CPC-AChristel Cammack
Matthew GainLinda Hickey, CPCDannelle Johnson
Charles Johnson, CPC-ADon Melson, CPC-AMarie Moss, CPC, CPMA
Cathy Murphy, CPC, CPC-HErin PattonLaura Purdom, CPC
Tammy Seel, CPC, CPMAI’Esha SheltonTheresa Sparks
Please welcome our newest AAPC and St. Louis West Local Chapter members! We are glad to have you as a part the AAPC and our chapter!
For information about our chapter, please contact Member Development Officer Barbara r any chapter officer.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RECENTLY CERTIFIED MEMBERS!!!!
Our chapter congratulates the following recently certified members:
Linda Hickey, CPCCharles Johnson, CPC-ADon Melson, CPC-A
Marie Moss, CPC, CPMACathy Murphy, CPC, CPC-HLaura Purdom, CPC
Tammy Seel, CPC, CPMA
WELL DONE CERTIFIED CODERS!!!
SAVE THE DATE!!
2013 National Conference: Orlando, FL
Don’t miss AAPC’s National Conference April 14-17
This event combines comprehensive education with powerful networking opportunities.
Conference registration and hotel package includes:
Two (2) full tracks of ICD-10 Code Set Training
Free ticket to DisneyWorldTheme Park
Free airport shuttle (on Disney’s Magical Express)
More than 72 educational sessions
Up to 18 CEUs
Our critically acclaimed Anatomy Expo
Free meals (see agenda)
Early Bird Registration ends January 23, 2013
Go to for registration information
WPS Medicare News
2013 Participation Enrollment
Medicare contractors are required to mail a postcard notifying providers of the annual participation enrollment period. The annual enrollment program for CY 2013 began on November 15, 2012 and will run through December 31, 2012.
Providers who are currently participating and choose to continue participating in CY 2013 do not have to do anything.
Providers who decide not to participate in CY 2013 should do nothing if they are currently not participating.
Providers who are not currently participating and want to participate in CY 2013, must complete the Medicare Participating Physician or Supplier Agreement, at
(Leg -
J8 link to
J5 link to and submit it to Wisconsin Physicians Service and to any other Medicare contractor to which they submit claims.
Providers who are currently participating and choose not to participate in CY 2013 must write to each Medicare contractor, to which they submit claims, advising of the termination of their participation agreement effective January 1, 2013. This written notice must be postmarked prior to January 1, 2013.
Requests for Hard Copy Medicare Fee Schedule
Until further notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service, Medicare contractors cannot fulfill any requests for hard copies of the Medicare Fee Schedule.
New Psychiatric Codes for 2013
A few of the new 2013 psychiatry codes are not listed on the fee schedule because they are carrier priced. Until we process claims for these codes, we are not able to establish a price.
WPS Medicare is currently updating our psychiatry policies with the new codes and expects to publish the revisions on the Policy page of our website during the first week of January 2013.
Both the 2013 edition of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) book and the CPT Assistant provide information about the new and or revised psychiatry codes.
Please Pick Up Your Chapter Bucks!!
These are printed and ready for the Member Celebration each year. For several years we have had many chapter bucks that were never picked up. Due to the amount of time involved in making these the 2012 Board decided to only print the certificates for those who planned on attending the 2012 Member Celebration in December. There are many members who were unable to attend the meeting. Please contact Ileana Stewart to receive yours.
A new addition to our Newsletter this year is ICD-10 Anatomy Prep by former Chapter President Debbie Flieger, CPC, CPPM, CPC-H. Feel free to print the following pages and use them as a study guide when preparing for you ICD-10 certification. This month’s review is over Skeletal Terms.
ICD-10 Anatomy Prep
By: Debbie Flieger CPC, CPPM, CPC-H
Here is just a little practice to help refresh your anatomy in preparation for ICD-10. Also practicing your med term is a great idea as well. Here is a link to some med term games that can be played online or on your favorite ereader.
Skeletal Terms Review
Bones are hard connective tissue; they make the framework of the body, protect the brain and organs, form all blood cells, store calcium, and serve as levers to allow efficient movement of the body.
Osteoblast – bone forming cells
Osteoclast – bone destroying cells
Osteocytes – bone maintaining cells.
Osteon – the basic unit of bone; osteocytes live in tiny circular caves that interconnect like layer on top of layer of spoke wheels arranged around a blood vessel. Between the spokes of the wheels the space is filled with a matrix of tough reinforcing fibers and hardened minerals. The spokes give each cell access to fluid from the blood vessel which provides oxygen and nutrients and takes away wastes
Compact bone – the spaces between osteons are filled with hardened matrix and the bone tissue becomes a solid mass.
Spongy bone – the spaces between osteons are left open making pits like a sponge.
Red bone marrow grows in the pits between osteons in spongy bone. All blood cells are made in red bone marrow.
206 bones – The number of bones in the average person.
Short bone makes the wrists, ankles, fingers and toes. It is thick, roughly cube shaped spongy bone coated by a thin layer of compact bone.
Flat bone makes the skull and shoulder blades. It is a thin layer of spongy bone coated by a thin layer of compact bone.
Irregular bone makes the vertebrae. It is thick irregularly shaped spongy bone coated by a thin layer of compact bone.
Long bone makes the arms, legs, feet and hands. It is the most complex bone.
Diaphysis – The long shaft of long bone made of compact bone.
Marrow (medullary) cavity – A hollow core that runs through the shaft of a long bone to keep it light.
Yellow bone marrow – Adipose (fat) tissue that fills the hollow core (marrow cavity) of a long bone.
Endosteum – A membrane that lines the hollow core of the shaft of a long bone, it contains bone destroying cells (osteoclasts) that hollow the core out more as the bone grows larger so that the bone does not get too heavy.
Epiphysis – Both enlarged, rounded ends of a long bone each made of spongy bone and lined with cartilage to make a freely movable joint.
Growth plate – An actively growing section of cells where the shaft joins each rounded end of a long bone that allows the bone to grow longer.
Periosteum – The membrane that covers the outside of a long bone, it contains bone forming cells (osteoblasts) that allow the bone to grow larger around and that can heal broken bones.
Fetal skeleton – Before birth the skeleton is made of cartilage and loose connective tissue.
Bone formation - The formation of osteons that harden the cartilage or loose connective tissue of the fetal skeleton into bone. Large blood vessels grow into the bone and then branch and branch again until they form tiny vessels that osteons form around. When the mineral matrix in the newly formed osteons hardens, it is bone. This process begins before birth but is not complete until the early twenties.
Bone marking – Anything that breaks up the smooth flat surface of a bone, each marking serving a purpose.
Head – A rounded, knoblike end attached to the rest of the bone by a more slender neck. A head makes the ball in a ball and socket joint.
Process – A blunt projection from a bone that muscles attach to.
Crest – An enlarged ridge at the edge of a bone used for muscle attachment.
Spine – A long, thin raised area on a bone used for muscle attachment
Foramen – A hole in a bone that blood vessels or nerves pass through.
Sinus – A cavity or air space inside of some bones in the skull.
Meatus – A short, cave-like channel through a bone like the external ear canal.
Axial skeleton – Includes the skull, the spinal column, the ribs and breast bone, and the sacrum and coccyx.
Skull – contains the cranial bones, that hold the brain, and the facial bones that form the face.
Cranial bones include the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital bones.
Facial bones include the mandible, maxilla, zygomatic and nasal bones.
Spinal column – Seven (7) cervical (neck), twelve (12) thoracic (chest with ribs attached) and five (5) lumbar (small of the back) vertebrae.
Sacrum – A set of fused vertebrae that join the spinal column to the hip (coxal) bone.
Coccyx – The tail bone
Appendicular skeleton – Composed of the arms and legs and the bones that join them to the trunk.
Upper extremity – The arm and hand together.
Humerus – The bone in the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to the elbow.
Radius and ulna – Bones that are side by side in the forearm.
Elbow – The joint made by the joining of the ulna and the humerus.
Wrist – The joint made by the joining of the carpal bones with the radius on one side and the metacarpal bones on the other.
Carpal bones – A set of eight bones in the wrist.
Metacarpals – Five bones in the palm of the hand.
Phalanges – bones in the fingers and thumb and in the toes. The phalanges of the fingers and small toes have of three bones; the phalanges of the thumb and big toe have two.
Shoulder girdle – The bones that attach the humerus in the arm to the trunk; it includes the scapula and the clavicle.
Scapula – The shoulder blade.
Clavicle – The collar bone.
Lower extremity – The thigh, leg and foot together.
Femur – The thigh bone that extends from the hip to the knee.
Tibia and fibula – Two bonesthat are side by side in the lower leg.
Knee – The joint made by the joining of the tibia and the femur.
Ankle –The joint made by the joining of the tibia with a tarsal bone called the talus.
Talus – The tarsal bone that joins with the tibia to form the ankle joint.
Tarsal bones – Seven bones that form the ankle (the talus) and heel (thecalcaneus) and join them to five metatarsal bones in the foot.
Calcaneus – A large tarsal bone that forms the heel.