Delivering 20 years of empowerment: Coding Essentials for Laboratories from MedLearn Publishing

In observance of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 23-39), MedLearn Publishing wishes to express profound appreciation to these dedicated individuals. Besides playing a vital role in the nation’s healthcare, laboratory professionals contribute to the financial health of their host organizations, including clinics, hospitals and independent entities.

For the past 20 years, MedLearn Publishing’s Coding Essentials for Laboratories book has served as the leading how-to resource for laboratory staff, coders, billing departments and others who are involved with the laboratory revenue stream and regulatory compliance. This unique publication provides comprehensive guidance through coding and billing for laboratory and pathology services.

 

One of the experts instrumental in the development of Coding Essentials for Laboratories is Robin Miller Zweifel, BS, MT (ASCP), who at the time was a Senior Healthcare Consultant at MedLearn. Prior to 2003, she recalls, a resource of this scope and caliber simply didn’t exist for the clinical laboratory.

 

“Many laboratories were struggling with medical necessity limitations, claim denials, NCCI edits and other issues. They needed a resource that consolidated information from multiple sources, while providing guidance in a clear narrative manner. They wanted a resource that empowered them to submit clean claims, resulting in the full, appropriate payment for services rendered.”

 

Unique resource fills a void

Coding Essentials for Laboratories filled this void, according to Ms. Zweifel, who continues to be a key contributor to the book, while also serving as Director of Coding and Billing Compliance for a provider of laboratory testing solutions.

 

Now available in print and eBook formats, Coding Essentials for Laboratories hasn’t wavered from key attributes that made it one of the most popular MedLearn products from the start. By integrating information from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), American Medical Association (AMA) and other sources, the book saves customers the time and hassle of having to cross-reference multiple resources.

 

Another longstanding key attribute of the book is how it’s written. “It explains coding and billing in lay terms,” says Ms. Zweifel. “Laboratory professionals are well educated in lab sciences, but they’re not typically as knowledgeable about business operations. The book clearly maps coding and billing back to lab methodologies and technologies. At the same time, it’s a great resource for coders, billing staff and others who may not understand laboratory science.”

 

Even while it has upheld certain standards, Coding Essentials for Laboratories has evolved to stay current with innovations in lab services and technologies, as well as the needs of customers. One of the first upgrades was the addition of pricing tables, providing convenient at-a-glance crosswalks from CPT/HCPCS codes to Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) rates and other laboratory fee schedules. Over the years, other notable enhancements have included the addition of pathology services and, more recently, a new chapter on COVID-19 testing.

 

Still the leading resource of its kind

Through all its iterations, Coding Essentials for Laboratories has maintained a reputation as the leading resource of its kind. Without a doubt, this is primarily due to the deep expertise that shapes its content, asserts Angela Kornegor, Chief Operating Officer, MedLearn Media.

 

“We’re so privileged to benefit from Robin’s decades of experience, and not just as a consultant, but as someone who worked in the clinical laboratory setting. Plus, Robin continues to have her finger on the pulse of the laboratory world through regular conversations with her peers. She clearly understands what our customers are seeking.”

 

Click here for more information about the 2023 edition of Coding Essentials for Laboratories. Throughout Medical Laboratories Professionals Week, MedLearn Publishing is offering special deals on Coding Essentials for Laboratories and other Laboratory resources, including a 7 day complimentary trial to the new Laboratory All-Access Pass. 

View the official press release here.

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