What's New?
MedLearn introduces database for crosswalking Medi-Cal drug-specific X codes to national codes
ST. PAUL, Minnesota — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 30, 2008 — Healthcare providers that bill California's Medi-Cal program now have a new, more efficient way to crosswalk Medi-Cal drug-specific X codes to the corresponding National Drug Codes (NDCs), as well as to Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.
Medical Learning, Inc., (MedLearn), in conjunction with R•J Health Systems International, LLC, announces the launch of a Medi-Cal drug-specific X codes database, first of its kind in the country.
Medi-Cal X codes are the same as Level III HCPCS codes, which were phased out nationally in 2003. Medi-Cal is the only state Medicaid program that has continued to use X codes in conjunction with NDCs and HCPCS/CPT codes. Medi-Cal currently encourages providers to use NDCs accompanied by the corresponding X codes and HCPCS/CPT drug codes. Eventually, Medi-Cal may require the use of NDCs on claim forms.
MedLearn offers access to the new drug-specific X code database on an annual subscription basis. Subscribers receive the information electronically in a spreadsheet; monthly updates include code revisions, additions and deletions. Besides crosswalking NDCs, X codes and HCPCS/CPT codes, the database contains the current Medi-Cal payment rate for each drug-specific X code.
"One of our customers, a hospital system in California, asked us about providing this information in a quick look-up format," explains MedLearn President Mike Rogge. "After checking with the three national drug code databases (First Data Bank, Medi-Span and Red Book), we discovered that no such database existed at the time."
MedLearn then initiated discussions with R•J Health Systems to create a drug-specific X codes crosswalk database. The two companies had previously collaborated in the development of www.MedLearnDrugCodes.com, a highly successful web site that gives hospitals and physician practices a reliable single source for up-to-date drug coding, pricing and reimbursement information.
"Between R•J Health Systems and MedLearn, we have a team whose extensive knowledge in pharmaceuticals and reimbursement enabled us to create a drug-specific X codes database that would be easy to use by healthcare organizations," says R•J Health Systems President John Aforismo, B.Sc.Pharm., R.PH, FASCP. "We also tapped into the California hospital system's experience with Medi-Cal X codes; their insights were very valuable."
More information is available by contacting MedLearn's Suzanne Lappen, Director of Corporate Development at 763-533-4250 or slappen@medlearn.com.
About Medical Learning, Inc. (MedLearn)
Since its founding in 1991, MedLearn (www.medlearn.com)
has become one of the nation's most respected authorities on medical coding,
compliance and reimbursement. MedLearn clients can choose from a variety
of resources, including publications, consulting services, customized learning
and assessments, seminars and online testing and learning. Content for each
of these resources comes directly from MedLearn experts, professionals who
have years, often decades, of real-world experience in the clinical and
business office settings.
About R•J Health Systems International, LLC
Founded in 1983, R•J Health Systems International (www.RJHealthsystems.com)
has emerged as a leader in educational and operational resources designed
to promote the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals. This information is offered
through publications and web sites and used by customers in the U.S. and
internationally. Many organizations recognize R•J Health Systems as
the premier source of coding and billing information for pharmaceuticals
administered by physician offices, hospitals and home healthcare agencies.
The company's staff includes registered pharmacists, certified pharmacy
technicians and registered nurses. R·J Health Systems International
is located in Wethersfield Connecticut.
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MedLearn named partner in new CIRCC™ credentialing program
ST. PAUL, Minnesota — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 6, 2008 — Medical Learning, Inc. (MedLearn) has been selected to participate in the new Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder™ (CIRCC) national credentialing program offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
CIRCC is the only certification of its kind; it signifies that the individual has achieved a high level of proficiency in interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding.
CIRCC applications must successfully complete a five-and-a-half-hour, 150-question exam which measures real-life coding knowledge. The AAPC began administering the exam October 1 at sites across the country. MedLearn is one of three organizations chosen to supply training and proctors for the exams.
MedLearn offers a variety of interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding resources, including books, live seminars, audio seminars and an "e-zine" of coded case studies, to help applicants prepare for the CIRCC exam.
"For many years, MedLearn has been on the forefront of interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding, compliance and reimbursement. This is reflected in the fact that our customers have ordered more copies of our Interventional Radiology Coder book than any other product since MedLearn's founding,” states MedLearn President Mike Rogge. "We are excited about this opportunity to share our in-depth knowledge with CIRCC applicants."
About Medical Learning, Inc.
Since its founding in 1991, MedLearn (www.medlearn.com)
has become one of the nation's most respected authorities on medical coding,
compliance and reimbursement. MedLearn clients can choose from a variety
of resources, including publications, consulting services, customized learning
and assessments, seminars and online testing and learning. Content for each
of these resources comes directly from MedLearn experts, professionals who
have years, often decades, of real-world experience in the clinical and
business office settings.
About American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
The AAPC (www.aapc.com) is the nation’s
largest medical coding training and certification association for medical
coders, providing nationally recognized gold-standard credentials to medical
coders in physician offices, hospitals and outpatient centers. We provide
a wide variety of benefits to our more than 70,000 worldwide members.