Current Pedorthics | March-April 2018 | Vol.50, Issue 2 | Page 31

O Know your codes O Avoid data and file discrepancies O Perform in-services to keep staff up to speed O Keep certification and licensure current O Document medical necessity O Avoid copy-and-paste & cookie cutter documentation O Documentation integrity O Maintain financial records O Patient follow up O Review, Review, Review! You should also be performing in-house audits of random files from time to time. This will allow you to catch mistakes that are being made or find documentation that may be missing from files. Keep in mind, audits by CMS entities will not cease and but will more than likely increase. More commercial payers have also begun conducting post-payment reviews. The best thing you can do is to be proactive. Always have your staff, your files and all compliance paperwork ready for anything, remain vigilant for changes to occur at any moment regarding documentation requirements and always remember that taking the steps to ensure compliance and making a slightly smaller profit is better than losing an audit and taking a big loss. O Current Pedorthics | March/April 2018 29