December 3, 2024
An interview with Laura Manser, CPC, CDEO, CIRCC, CPMA, CEMC, RCC, Director of Provider Education
Tell us about your role as the director of physician education and how long you have been with PBS.
I’ve been with the company for 24 years. My role involves identifying areas for documentation improvement and providing targeted education to providers to reduce downcoding, medical necessity denials, and addendum requests. Through ongoing audits, I ensure that physician documentation stays compliant and accurately captures all revenue owed.
Why are you so passionate about physician education?
I’m passionate about physician education because it has a direct impact on both patient care and the financial health of a practice. When physicians understand how to document accurately and effectively, it reduces errors, downcoding, and denials, which ensures they are properly compensated for their work. More importantly, it helps streamline care, ensuring that necessary procedures and treatments are covered and paid without delays. I’ve seen firsthand how the right education can make a huge difference in compliance, revenue, and patient outcomes, and that’s why I’m so committed to this work.
You have a lot of certifications behind your name. What do they all mean?
The certifications I hold reflect my expertise in various areas of coding, auditing, and compliance. Each certification reflects my ability to support physicians and the organization in maintaining compliance, reducing errors, and optimizing revenue.
- CPC (Certified Professional Coder) shows my proficiency in medical coding across multiple specialties, ensuring accuracy in coding and billing.
- CPMA (Certified Professional Medical Auditor) demonstrates my ability to conduct thorough audits to identify areas for improvement in documentation and coding practices.
- CEMC (Certified Evaluation and Management Coder) emphasizes my expertise in E/M coding, which is critical for proper billing of patient visits and services.
- CDEO (Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient) focuses on improving outpatient documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- CIRCC (Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder) highlights my specialized knowledge in interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding, a complex and highly regulated area.
- RCC (Radiology Certified Coder) demonstrates my expertise in radiology coding, essential for accurate coding and compliance in this field.
Why are Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) programs for radiology groups so important?
CDI programs are crucial for radiology groups because they ensure that the documentation accurately reflects the complexity and scope of the procedures performed. Radiology coding rules can be complex and often involves highly technical and intricate procedures, and without precise documentation, there is a risk of downcoding, medical necessity denials, or missed opportunities for reimbursement. A strong CDI program helps radiologists communicate the full clinical picture, which not only improves coding accuracy but also supports compliance, reduces addendum requests, and ensures the group captures every dollar owed for their services. Ultimately, it strengthens both patient care and the financial health of the practice.
What is a common misconception about coding?
A common misconception about coding is that it’s just data entry. In reality, coding requires a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, medical procedures, medical terminology, coding rules and payer rules to ensure accurate coding and compliance. For example, in radiology, the correct use of modifiers relies on understanding both the anatomy involved and the specifics of the procedure, which can make the difference between full reimbursement and a denial.
Why is radiology personal to you?
For the past 24 years, I’ve dedicated my career to the business of radiology. My passion for this field is personal, not just professional. It’s why my husband, who is currently in medical school, aspires to become a radiologist.
At PBS, we value the work you do as radiologists. We understand the challenges you face—being overworked, underpaid, and dealing with shortages. My goal, as Director of Provider Education, is to ensure your documentation is accurate, compliant, and that you’re capturing every dollar you’ve earned. We take your financial goals and the well-being of your practice as seriously as you do. I am a PBS expert, and this is why radiology is not just my profession, but my passion.
Laura Manser CPC, CDEO, CIRCC, CPMA, CEMC, RCC, is the Director of Provider Education at PBS Radiology Business Experts. With 24 years of radiology experience, she is a trusted subject matter expert in coding, auditing, and documentation improvement. A dedicated educator, Laura trains coders and physicians to enhance coding accuracy, documentation quality, compliance, and revenue optimization through tailored programs. Holding multiple certifications from AAPC and RCCB, Laura is known for her proactive leadership, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence in radiology.