Catalog Number : cbba1107
Title : Basic Charge Master
Speaker : Duane Abbey

Webplay Recording Date : 9-14-07
Webplay Price : $ 225 for two weeks viewing

The Charge Master is the central repository of charges and associated coding information used to develop claims. But this simple description belies the charge master’s true complexity. The Charge Master's role in the coding process differs from department to department, and not all codes provided on a claim form are necessarily included in the Charge Master, as codes for complex services may need to be developed and reviewed by coding staff. In addition, with the rise of managed care, the Charge Master increasingly is being used to track utilization of supplies and services.

This Webinar introduces you to the development and maintenance of a hospital's Charge Master which is complex and demanding. While the success of this process largely depends upon the skill and knowledge of the Charge Master coordinator and the quality of input from the Charge Master review team and service-area personnel, many other factors must be considered.

Learning Objectives Include:

• To introduce the Charge Master as a key tool for developing claims and gaining reimbursement.
• To discuss the key components that comprise the Charge Master.
• To place the Charge Master in the context of the HIPAA Transaction Standard/Standard Code Set Rule.
• To appreciate the fundamental concepts of billing, pricing and coding in the context of the Charge Master.
• To understand the fundamental compliance concerns surrounding the Charge Master.
• To appreciate the different ways in which the Charge Master can be constructed for different types of services.
• To understand the many interfaces to the Charge Master and the need to keep the Charge Master up to date.

The following are only a few of the topics to be discussed:

I. Charge Master Elements
   a. Standard Code Sets
   b. Revenue Codes
   c. Line-Item Descriptions
   d. CPT/HCPCS Codes
   e. Pricing
II. Charge Master as Part of the Reimbursement Cycle
   a. Revenue Cycle versus Reimbursement Cycle
   b. Billing and Claims Generation
III. Charge Master Interfaces
   a. Coding
   b. Cost Report
   c. Billing
   d. Cost Accounting
IV. Compliance and the Chargemaster
   a. Charge Master Compliance Issues
   b. Charge Master Policies and Procedures
   c. Charge Master Audits
V. Charge Master Infrastructure
   a. Charge Master Coordinators
   b. Service Areas Responsibilities

Prerequisites for Participating: None.

Suggested Attendees: All hospital personnel who need to have a better understanding of the Charge Master, its purpose role and function in the hospital and the impact on reimbursement.

Attendance Certificate: Upon attending this course you will receive a 2 Contact Hour Attendance Certificate. There is usually a reciprocal agreement between state associations to allow these to count for each state. If you have any questions, please ask your state association.

Full tuition is refunded immediately on request if the participant has not been sent the program materials and instructions. Once the instructions (including access codes) have been sent, a full refund will be issued only after the program runs and it is verified that the participant did not access the program.