MedLearn Nuclear Medicine Coding Seminar, October 18-19, in Scottsdale: Tactics for Weathering the 'Perfect Storm' in 2007.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- For healthcare professionals involved with nuclear medicine coding and reimbursement, the year 2007 could bring a convergence of seven major policy changes -- a "perfect storm" of regulatory compliance challenges, according to national coding expert Denise Merlino, MBA, CNMT, CPC, FSNMTS.

At MedLearn's nuclear medicine seminar October 18 and 19, 2006, in Scottsdale, Arizona, Merlino and Jeff Majchrzak, RCC, BA, RT(R), CNMT, will address these potential changes, their impact on providers and recommended compliance tactics.

The seminar, set for The Scottsdale Plaza Resort, will cover several other topics related to nuclear medicine coding, payment and coverage, including anticipated changes in the proposed Final Rule expected to be published in November by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; the new National Oncologic PET Registry; and a review of new CPT codes for renal imaging and other especially impacted areas.

"We are already seeing a great deal of turmoil surrounding these policy changes, even though nothing has been finalized yet," explains Merlino, a consultant to healthcare organizations and coding advisor to the Society of Nuclear Medicine. "Our goal will be to help nuclear medicine departments and physician practices prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Specifically, the seven possible policy changes involve:

--Practice expense methodology

--Five-year review impact

--DRA impact for imaging services

--Medically unlikely edits

--SGR physician fee schedule conversion factor cut

--Expansion of the multiple procedure reduction

--Pay for performance

"For many healthcare organizations, the timing of this seminar couldn't be better," says Majchrzak, who is vice president of radiology services for MedLearn. "Budgets for 2007 are being finalized, and we expect to have a clearer perspective of how revenues may be affected in the coming year."

More information about MedLearn's seminar, entitled "Nuclear Medicine: Coding, Payment and Coverage Essentials for 2007," is available at www.medlearn.com/seminars.htm or by calling MedLearn at 800-252-1578, ext. 2095.