The Premier coding Event - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The STS Coding Workshop — the premier coding event
in cardiothoracic surgery — provides CT surgery coding
staff, surgeons, and other billing professionals with the
most up-to-date information on coding and
reimbursement issues affecting cardiothoracic surgery
practices in 2011 and beyond.
The Workshop, designed this year to maximize the
coding information for each subspecialty, is now
organized in blocks that will cover adult cardiac, general
thoracic, congenital, and vascular coding topics. Each of
the subspecialty blocks will address new codes and
policy changes, as well as tips on common coding
challenges. For maximum learning potential, each block
also will feature a hands-on practice coding session with
actual coding scenarios, practice exercises, and an
extensive question and answer session.
In addition, a group of general sessions will review other important coding and payment related issues,
including sessions on E/M Coding, the ICD-10 coding transition, and participation in Medicare quality
improvement programs.
ABOUT CHICAGO
Chicago is a city of unsurpassed beauty, drawing visitors from around the world. Located on the shores of
Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest, Chicago has a population of more than 2.8 million people and
is home to renowned architecture, an internationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, world-class
shopping, award-winning theater, and much more.
Visitors to Chicago experience a virtual explosion of cultural activity, civic pride, and multicultural
expression. From stunning architecture and world-famous museums to lakefront parks and vibrant
neighborhoods, Chicago offers a range of attractions, which keep visitors coming back again and again.
Visitors can receive Chicago brochures and trip-planning assistance by visiting www.explorechicago.org.
2011 BEGINNERS CODING SESSION
The STS Beginners Coding Session is a half-day event designed specifically for new coding staff. It will
concentrate on the practical aspects of coding and reimbursement and provide an overall introduction to
the specifics of cardiothoracic surgery coding information. The session will cover in detail the role of
evaluation and management services and outline the basic tools for coding, reporting, and auditing these
services.
Current and relevant rules and regulations also will be addressed. Attendees will benefit from lectures
and group discussions, with ample question and answer time allotted throughout the session. The
program will conclude with guided practice exercises that will allow participants to pull together the whole
process, from beginning to end, based on coding examples and case scenarios.
The focus of the Beginners Coding Session is basic coding knowledge and competence that will provide
a firm foundation so that attendees can benefit fully from the STS Coding Workshop on Friday and
Saturday.
This program is tentative; sessions and speakers are subject to change.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Coding – Key Concepts
BEGINNERS CODING SESSION
Thursday, November 3, 2011
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Julie Painter, MBA, CCVTC
STS Manager, Coding and Billing
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Rules and Regulations – Modifiers, Policy, and Other Factors
4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – Break
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Evaluation & Management – Back to the Basics
5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Putting It All Together – Case Practice and Q&A
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• Describe how to code E/M services in the office
• Select appropriate codes for cardiothoracic surgery related procedures
• Explain the rules and regulations that are important to cardiothoracic surgery coding
• Discuss cardiothoracic surgery codes, rules, and reporting procedures in order to capture
services provided by the practice
• Identify common issues and pitfalls that are encountered by cardiothoracic surgical coding staff
• Practice putting all the necessary elements of coding together to correctly report physician
services
TARGET AUDIENCE
The Beginners Coding Session is designed for those who are new to coding and/or cardiothoracic
surgical coding, reimbursement, and compliance. Cardiothoracic surgeons and coding staff, office
managers, medical office billing specialists, physician assistants, nurses, and others seeking a basic
refresher course will also find the session valuable.
This program is tentative; sessions and speakers are subject to change.

2011 STS CODING WORKSHOP
Friday, November 4, 2011
8:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Introduction
Peter K. Smith, MD
Adult Cardiac Coding:
8:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Peter K. Smith, MD, V. Sreenath Reddy, MD, Julie Painter, MBA, CCVTC
Coding Changes for 2012
Adult Cardiac Coding Tips
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. — Break
Review of Adult Cardiac Codes and Cases
Adult Cardiac Coding Q&A
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. — Lunch
General Thoracic Coding:
1:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Francis C. Nichols, III, MD, Alex G. Little, MD, Julie Painter, MBA, CCVTC
Coding Changes for 2012
General Thoracic Coding Tips
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Break
Review of General Thoracic Codes and Cases
General Thoracic Coding Q&A
Congenital Cardiac Surgery Coding:
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Kirk R. Kanter, MD
General Sessions
9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Participating in Governmental Initiatives
Stephen J. Lahey, MD
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
ICD-10 Transition
Julie Painter, MBA, CCVTC
Saturday, November 5, 2011
8:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
This program is tentative; sessions and speakers are subject to change.

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
E&M Coding
Gilbert Johnston, MD
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. — Lunch
Endovascular and Vascular Coding:
1:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Grayson Wheatley, MD, Julie Painter, MBA, CCVTC
Endovascular and Vascular Coding Changes for 2012
Endovascular and Vascular Coding Tips
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. — Break
Review of Endovascular and Vascular Codes and Cases
Endovascular and Vascular Coding Q&A
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this Workshop, participants will be able to:
• Discuss the new codes and payment polices affecting adult cardiac, general thoracic, congenital,
endovascular, and vascular coding for 2012
• Describe the common coding issues for each of the subspecialties and report these services to
payers
• Practice coding and discuss difficult cases that contain common errors encountered by
cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons
• Select appropriate E/M codes and levels
• Explain the importance, impact, and role of E/M coding in cardiothoracic surgery practices
• Develop a framework for the transition to ICD-10 diagnosis coding
• Understand the structure and content of ICD-10
• Analyze the governmental initiatives available to cardiothoracic surgery practices
• Identify the governmental initiatives that are important for cardiothoracic surgery practices to
participate in
TARGET AUDIENCE
This workshop is designed for cardiothoracic surgery coding staff, office managers, medical office billing
specialists, physician assistants, nurses, and others, including CT surgeons, involved in the coding,
reimbursement, and compliance efforts for the cardiothoracic surgery office.
This program is tentative; sessions and speakers are subject to change.

Registration Information
• STS members and their staff may register online at www.sts.org and click on STS Coding
Workshop Registration under What’s New. All STS members’ staff who register online must
confirm their STS member employer.
• STS Headquarters will then e-mail a confirmation request to the Workshop registrant.
• STS non-members and their staff may not register online and must use the attached registration
form. Please type or print clearly in Section I (Registrant Information), including area code, office
telephone number, fax number and e-mail address.
Registration Fees
• Credit card payment is required for online registration.
• Full payment by check or credit card is required to process registration forms.
• Please make checks payable to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. STS also accepts Visa,
MasterCard and American Express. Non-members paying by credit card should complete the
payment information section on the registration form and fax to (312) 268-7469.
• Please mail check payment with registration form to:
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
PO Box 809308
Chicago, IL 60680-9308
Refunds/Cancellations
All requests for cancellations must be made in writing and postmarked to The Society of Thoracic
Surgeons by October 7, 2011. A $50 administrative fee will be charged for cancellations. Requests for
refunds will not be honored after October 7, 2011.
Hotel Information
A block of rooms for meeting attendees has been reserved on a first come, first served basis at the
InterContinental Chicago, 505 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. A special rate of $199
single/double per night plus state and local taxes has been arranged with the InterContinental Chicago for
all program participants. These rates are guaranteed through Thursday, October 6, 2011. To make
reservations by phone, contact the hotel at (800) 628-2112 and reference The Society of Thoracic
Surgeons. For online reservations online, visit www.sts.org and click on STS Coding Workshop
Information under Upcoming Events.
Travel Arrangements
O'Hare International Airport is located approximately 16 miles from the InterContinental Chicago (30 to 40
minutes non-rush hour) and Midway Airport is located approximately 12 miles away (20 to 30 minutes
non-rush hour). The InterContinental Chicago does not provide shuttle service. Please call Airport
Express at (888) 284-3826 or visit their website at www.airportexpress.com for shuttle information. Taxi
service is available for $40-$45 from O’Hare International Airport and $30-$35 from Midway Airport one
way. Valet parking with in and out privileges is available at the Michigan Avenue entrance for a daily rate
of $53.00.
Continuing Education Credit
Please visit www.sts.org for the most up-to-date CEU information.
This program is tentative; sessions and speakers are subject to change.