AI is rapidly changing medical practice operations—but adopting the latest technology requires more than simply choosing a new tool. In this episode of Inside the Practice, Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt are joined by Zach Ruhl and Eric Lau of Maia for a conversation about the evolving role of AI in medical coding, clinical documentation, and revenue cycle management. Together, they explore the importance of governance, compliance, human oversight, and thoughtful implementation as practices navigate an increasingly crowded AI landscape. The conversation also examines how AI can support—not replace—healthcare professionals by reducing repetitive work, improving accuracy, preserving institutional knowledge, and allowing teams to focus their expertise where it matters most. For practice leaders wondering how to separate meaningful innovation from the noise, this episode offers a practical look at what responsible AI adoption can—and should—look like in healthcare.

In Part 2 of our Modifier 58 series, KZA Coding Expert Rebecca Mizelle takes a deeper dive into the documentation needed to support proper use of this modifier, with content prepared by KZA Coding Expert Christine Banks. Learn how documentation requirements differ depending on whether a procedure is staged or anticipated, more extensive than the original procedure, or therapy following surgery. Through real-world case studies, Rebecca illustrates why prospective documentation, clear clinical progression, and careful global-period tracking are essential to supporting Modifier 58 and keeping claims audit-ready.

In Part 1 of our Modifier 58 series, KZA Coding Expert Rebecca Mizelle walks us through the fundamentals of this staged or related procedure modifier, using content prepared by KZA Coding Expert Christine Banks. Learn the three distinct circumstances in which Modifier 58 may apply, how it differs from Modifiers 78 and 79, and what it communicates to the payer during an active global period. We also cover reimbursement, when a new global period begins, and why distinguishing a planned or expected course of care from a postoperative complication is critical for both accurate payment and compliance.

In this Modifier Mondays Spotlight episode, KZA Coding Expert Rebecca Mizelle breaks down Advance Beneficiary Notices (ABNs) and the modifiers that communicate a patient’s financial responsibility to Medicare. Rebecca reviews when an ABN should be issued, the choices available to beneficiaries, and the differences between modifiers GA, GZ, GX, and GY. She also shares important documentation and retention requirements, common mistakes practices make when completing ABNs, and why coding and billing teams should never automatically apply an ABN modifier without confirming the circumstances. Tune in for a practical refresher on using ABNs correctly, protecting your patients, and keeping your claims compliant.

We conclude our Modifier 79 series by exploring what payers are currently scrutinizing when reviewing these claims. KZA Coding Expert Christine Banks discusses Medicare, Medicare Advantage, commercial payer, and workers' compensation expectations, explains the audit triggers she's seeing most often, and shares practical strategies for appealing denials, auditing your own claims, and strengthening documentation. Learn how proactive workflows can help protect reimbursement while maintaining compliance.