What CCM and AWV Undercoding Is Costing California Primary Care Practices Entering Q3?

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As California primary care practices enter Q3, many are preparing for increased patient volume, preventive care visits, and chronic disease management. However, while physicians focus on delivering quality care, many practices continue to lose substantial revenue due to CCM (Chronic Care Management) and AWV (Annual Wellness Visit) undercoding. Undercoding occurs when services are billed at a lower level than documentation supports or when eligible CCM and AWV services are not billed at all. Although these errors may appear minor, they can significantly reduce reimbursement over time, creating hidden revenue leaks that impact cash flow, profitability, and practice growth. As payer scrutiny increases in 2026, accurate coding and documentation are more important than ever. Many providers are turning to specialized Primary Care Billing Services , medical billing services , and comprehensive RCM services to improve coding accuracy, reduce denials, and maximize reimbursement. Why CCM and ...
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Correct Use of Modifiers for Podiatry Services

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Improper use of Modifiers for Podiatry Services can be the cause of claim denials just as not using a modifier can be. When using modifiers, make sure you clearly understand what the modifier entails. Sometimes, there are related services that the physician is performing, global periods to contend with, etc. Modifiers will clarify extenuating circumstances, which should allow for payment when they otherwise may not.

If the insurance company denies a claim and you rebill it by simply choosing another modifier and hoping that is the correct one, this will usually end up creating additional problems. Insurance companies may have a time limit as to how long you can file an appeal. If you continually rebill incorrectly, then by the time you send in the claims and subsequently get denied again, you may run out of the appeal window. The appeal window generally starts when you submit the initial claim. Medicare explanation of medical benefits (EOMBs) will indicate whether you can appeal a claim rather than rebill, depending on the error.

There are three specific evaluation and management (E/M) modifiers. These are the -24, -25, and -57 modifiers. Only use these modifiers with E/M services. If you append them to any other service such as a diagnostic study or procedure, the carrier will automatically deny your claim.

Modifiers for Podiatry Services are:

Modifier 24:

Unrelated Evaluation and Management by the same physician during a postoperative period. When an unrelated E/M service is performed by the same physician during the postoperative (global period -10 or 90-day postoperative period) then append modifier 24 to the E/M procedure code. Make sure that we are not assigning the same diagnosis code which is the reason for the surgery which was performed earlier, and then there would be the chance of the claim getting denied.

To know more about the Correct Use of Modifiers for Podiatry Services, click here: https://bit.ly/3KhgRMc Contact us at info@medicalbillersandcoders.com/ 888-357-3226.

Location: United States

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