C3+

08/25/2025

💡 **Billing Tip of the Day: Q6 Modifier** 💡

Do you know when to use the **Q6 modifier**?
Q6 is used when a **locum tenens provider** (a temporary provider filling in for another) sees a patient **on behalf of the regular physician**.

👉 **When to use Q6:**

* When the regular provider is **unavailable** (vacation, illness, maternity leave, etc.).
* The substitute provider is **not an employee** of the group but is covering **on a temporary basis**.
* The service is billed under the **regular provider’s NPI**, with the Q6 modifier attached to the CPT code.
* Coverage is limited to **60 consecutive days** (unless extended due to active military duty).

✅ Example: If Dr. Smith is out for surgery and Dr. Jones temporarily covers her patients, bill under Dr. Smith with modifier Q6.

⚠️ **Don’t confuse this with Q5 (reciprocal billing)**, which applies when providers cover each other under an agreement.

Understanding the proper use of modifiers like Q6 keeps your claims clean and your payments accurate! 💵

09/23/2024

🚨 Attention Chiropractors! 🚨

A few changes are coming with the ICD-10 updates on October 1st, especially in the musculoskeletal category! 🦴✨

These updates aim to improve coding specificity and accuracy, enhancing patient care and streamlining billing processes.

Under M51 Thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral intervertebral disk disorders, there are new six-character codes that allow the practitioner to specify the location of pain more succinctly.

Be sure to review the new codes, as they can impact your practice and how you document musculoskeletal conditions.

Stay informed, get ready to adapt, and let’s keep providing the best care possible! 💪

Send a message to learn more

08/12/2024

Looking for a great seminar to get your CE hours and the Texas Mandatory 4-board hours. Join us September 6-8. The Texas board hours will be on Sunday, September 8 from 8-12 in person or webinar options available.

Courtney Gowin is hosting the pediatric CE Seminar on Friday and Sat and I will be teaching the board hours on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing you. Contact me for further questions.

05/12/2024

03/12/2024

We have had several inquiries about the differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage benefits so I thought I would answer a few here.

Q: Is traditional Medicare still the primary insurance?
A: No. Once a patient switches to an advantage plan, traditional Medicare becomes invalid. You do not need to add Medicare to any claims.

Q: Does Advantage plans still follow Medicare guidelines?
A: Yes. All Medicare Advantages follow Medicare guidelines.

Q: Do Advantage plans have the same chiropractic benefits as traditional Medicare?
A: Yes and No. While Advantage plans don't cover exams and therapies like traditional Medicare, they have their own coverage for adjustments. They may have a copay instead of coinsurance, and they may or may not have a deductible. They also have different visit limits for adjustments. While Medicare allows up to 30 visits a year, depending on how strong your diagnosis is, Advantage plans may only allow 10 or 20. All insurances though are based on medical necessity too so make sure you have strong diagnosis codes to support the frequency of visits.

Q: Traditional Medicare doesn't require referrals from P*Ps, do Advantage plans?
A: If a patient has an HMO Advantage plan then yes, they do require a referral from their P*P. If they have a PPO plan then they do not. If you see a patient who requires a referral and you do not have one on file, your claim will be adjusted and you will not receive payment. You will also have to reimburse the patient for their copay/coinsurance. It is very important to find out this information and get the referral before the patient's first visit. The same goes for pre-authorizations for other insurances.

Q: Can a patient have secondary insurance if they have an Advantage plan?
A: Yes. Although it would be a traditional major medical insurance or Medicaid. Medicare supplements with specific plans, (Plan F, Plan G, Plan N, etc) are no longer valid as they go along with traditional Medicare.

Do you have any questions about Medicare and Advantage plans? Let us know and we will be more than happy to answer them for you!

If you would like to sign up for our quarterly newsletter send us a message and we will make sure you receive them.

01/16/2024

We will be hosting a webinar this weekend on the Texas 4 board hours. If you’re needing your hours, please message me and I’m happy to get you in it’s Saturday from 8 to 12.

01/04/2024

Check out our newest newsletter! Please join us for the latest updates and news.

You don't want to miss this.   Start the New Year off right!   January 2024 Texas Mandatory board hours Start 2024 off with a bang! Join us for the Texas mandatory 4 board hours. Don't sit through bor

12/25/2023

Experience David Goggins live at Parker Seminars in Las Vegas, Feb 22-24! Meet the Retired Navy SEAL who’s conquered SEAL training, Army Ranger School, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. A bestselling author, ultra-endurance athlete, and former world record holder for pull-ups, Goggins embodies the power of mental resilience. Don’t miss his inspiring journey on mastering the mind—on our main stage! Learn more and register today at https://lasvegas.parkerseminars.com/.

06/09/2023

Dr. Amy Rogers Wood is having a "Gator" of a good time at Parker Orlando!