Health Policy Associate Meghan Basler represented Applied Policy at this year’s American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) HEALTHCON Conference, April 14-17. Although the event took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, Basler was able to participate virtually, live streaming the sessions via Zoom. This unique setup allowed her to engage fully with the speakers and content, without the logistical challenges of cross-country travel.
The conference opened with AAPC CEO Bevan Erickson, who extended a warm welcome to all participants and shared updates on new educational opportunities for medical coders available through AAPC. Basler observed that Erickson’s insights set a positive tone for the event, highlighting the academy’s commitment to continuous learning and development.
Basler described the compliance panel, which included chief compliance officers and legal experts, as “one of the most impactful parts of the conference.” She went on to say, “The panel’s discussion of critical issues around coding fraud, abuse, and the importance of maintaining compliant coding practices were essential as they touch on the core of our profession’s integrity and its implications on healthcare’s financial and operational sides.”
Basler also found the Evaluation & Management (E/M) panel particularly enlightening. The panelists included a physician, a coder, and an auditor, as well as Leslie Prellwitz, the American Medical Association’s Director of CPT Content Management & Development. “We had a lively Q&A session,” said Basler. “That allowed us to delve deep into the complexities of E/M guidelines, clarifying current standards and best practices.”
The AAPC’s legal advisory board hosted a discussion on the most pressing legal issues facing medical practices and facilities today. For Basler, this session underscored the increasing importance of understanding the legal aspects of healthcare management, especially given the current climate of heightened financial scrutiny and regulation.
The breakout sessions offered tailored topics that aligned with both Basler’s interests and the needs of Applied Policy’s clients. She chose sessions on coding for health equity, effectively communicating risk adjustment and quality in clinical settings, thriving in managed care, coding for value-based contracts, advanced appeal strategies, AI implementation for revenue cycle management, regulatory guidance for value-based care, and understanding telehealth post-PHE. “Each session provided valuable insights that I am eager to implement and share with our team and clients.”
“Attending HEALTHCON 2023 virtually proved to be an enriching experience that equipped me with advanced knowledge and strategies in medical coding and policy,” Basler said. “I look forward to applying these insights to better serve our clients and to keep our Applied Policy team of health policy experts current on the latest coding practices and regulations.”