Behind the Scenes: Tackling Common Billing Pitfalls in Chiropractic Care
True Story: How Small Details Prevent Big Denials
In medical billing, small documentation details can make the difference between a clean claim and a costly denial. One of our billers at Axis Spine and Sport recently ran into a few recurring issues that taught us valuable lessons about how proactive communication and documentation can speed up payments and improve first-pass accuracy.
Recently, we ran into a situation that perfectly illustrates this hidden issue , and it’s one every biller and provider should know about.
1. Clarifying Chiropractic Manipulation Codes (98941 & 98943)
Problem:
Denials occurred when both chiropractic manipulation codes (98941 and 98943) appeared in the same paragraph of the clinical records. If the claims analyst didn’t read closely, the second code was often missed and denied.
Solution:
When uploading medical records, we now include a note referencing the exact page, paragraph, and sentence where both codes are documented. This ensures clarity and reduces confusion for payers.
Result:
This small step has dramatically improved first-time payment accuracy and reduced the number of denials that require follow-up or reconsideration.
2. Labeling X-Ray Views Clearly and Separately
Problem:
Denials sometimes occurred when multiple X-ray views weren’t clearly labeled or easy to find in the clinical record.
Solution:
We now upload each X-ray report separately, even if it’s part of the same clinical file, and reference the page and section where each view appears. This makes verification faster for claims analysts and ensures all views are properly reviewed.
Result:
These small, proactive steps have saved hours of rework and resulted in cleaner, faster claim payments.
Conclusion: Small Steps, Big Impact
In the world of medical billing, precision and clarity go a long way. Taking a few extra minutes to guide the reviewer can mean the difference between denial and approval.
These strategies have helped us streamline billing, reduce stress, and support providers more effectively — ensuring fair reimbursement and faster payments.
Remember: Clear documentation + Proper labeling = First-Time Payment Accuracy
