More and more physicians are being audited. To keep from becoming the target of an audit yourself, Ophthalmic Consultant Riva Lee Asbell recommends observing the following don'ts:

• Don't take bad advice from your buddies at medical meetings.
Just because a few doctors may be getting away with something now doesn't mean they'll get away with it forever. Your most reliable sources of information are national societies such as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators.
• Don't forget to provide an interpretation and report for diagnostic tests
. This is required in the CPT for such tests as visual fields and fundus photography.
• Don't misuse modifiers.
Most physicians are beginning to realize that they can get extra money by appending modifiers. However, abuse of this practice can lead to an audit.
• Don't be penny-wise and dollar-foolish.
Avoid outdated coding tools. CPT and ICD-9 publications are updated annually.