Expert: Physician + Coder + Medical Auditor
L. Neal Freeman, MD, MBA is a practicing physician and surgeon and is additionally certified as both a Coding Specialist-Physician-based and a Professional Medical Auditor. He provides expert services in medical coding, reimbursement, and compliance across all specialties. Dr. Freeman is available for consultation, research, analysis, report generation, deposition, and trial testimony as an expert witness. He has been retained as an expert for plaintiff and defense.
Medical and billing records from caregivers and facilities are compared to assess accuracy of documentation. Consistency of reporting within accepted guidelines is also reviewed. Fair and reasonable value of services is determined.
Dr. Freeman is involved at the highest levels nationally in the area of coding and reimbursement. His medical and surgical practice in conjunction with credentialing in coding and auditing is a powerful combination for reviews and expert witness work in these areas. He is an active writer, instructor, and speaker in this area at national, regional, and local levels.
Areas of Specialization include:
Medical coding and reimbursement
Coding compliance
Coding guidelines
Medicare
Medicaid
Private insurance
Fair and reasonable value
Usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) value
CPT coding
ICD-10 coding
Auditing
Fraud and abuse
False Claims Act
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
DRGs
National Correct Coding Initiative
Bundling
Modifiers
Contact information:
Web
www.nealfreemanmd.com
www.CPRanalysts.com
Email
nfreeman@CPRanalysts.com
Phone
(321) 253-2166
LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnealfreeman/
Education
Bachelor of Science (With Distinction), Cornell University College of Engineering, 1981
Doctor of Medicine (With Distinction), University of Michigan Medical School, 1984
Master of Business Administration, University of Central Florida College of Business, 1999
Residency
Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Ophthalmology
Fellowship
University of California, San Francisco, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Professional Affiliations
-President, Coding and Physician Reimbursement Analysts, Inc.
-Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based, American Health Information Management Association
-Certified Professional Medical Auditor, AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders)
-State Representative, Florida Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee, Ophthalmology
-Chair, Coding and Third Party Reimbursement Committee, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
-Chair, Managed Care/Third Party Liaison Committee, Florida Society of Ophthalmology
-Board of Directors, Florida Society of Ophthalmology
-Representative, CPT Advisory Committee, American Medical Association
-Assistant Professor, University of Central Florida College of Medicine
-Author and Editor, "coding.doc" feature, Ophthalmology Times
-Chief of Ophthalmology, Holmes Regional Medical Center
-Operating Room Committee, Holmes Regional Medical Center
-Full-time continuous medical practice (since 1989), Florida Eye Associates, Melbourne, Florida
-American College of Surgeons
-Surgical Eye Expeditions, International (over twenty volunteer surgical missions)
Honors
Orkan Stasior Leadership Award, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Outstanding Contribution Award, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Secretariat Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (Awarded twice)
Achievement Award (Instructional), American Academy of Ophthalmology
Coding Publications (representative)
I author and edit the coding.doc column in Ophthalmology Times magazine. Articles have included:
Advance Beneficiary Notice shifts responsibility for payment
December 15, 2007
Coding for pterygium: diagnostics and therapeutics
February 15, 2008
New vitreoretinal codes represent major change for 2008
June 15, 2008
Know the guidelines for coding glaucoma tests
2008's new modifiers should be used correctly
October 15, 2008
Category III codes provide key to new technologies
February 15, 2009
National Correct Coding Initiative enables better reporting of multiple services
September 1, 2009
Physician fee schedules, coding are closely related
October 1, 2009
Glaucoma surgical coding remains a challenge
Consultations are again the focus of changes
Understanding coding errors helps physicians avoid pitfalls
September 15, 2010
Switch to ICD-10 must be managed effectively
MUE program sets payment limits
October 15, 2013
CPT coding for glaucoma surgery reporting undergoes changes
June 15, 2015
How contractor advisory committees impact coverage decisions
June 15, 2014
Modifier -59 modifications carry big reimbursement impact
January 1, 2015
How payer perspective guides reimbursement
June 15, 2016