L. Neal Freeman MD, MBA, CCS-P, CPMA
Melbourne, FL 32940
Fax: 321-726-4061
Highly experienced expert witness with 100+ cases in medical coding, reimbursement, and compliance across the entire medical spectrum, providing services for both plaintiff and defense. Board-certified practicing physician and surgeon, Certified Coding Specialist (Physician-based), and Certified Professional Medical Auditor.
Awarded graduate of Cornell University’s College of Engineering (B.S.) and the University of Michigan Medical School (M.D.), with postgraduate specialty training at Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of California, San Francisco. Master-level graduate (M.B.A.) of the University of Central Florida, College of Business Administration.
Chairman of the Ophthalmology Section at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida. Assistant professor at the University of Central Florida, College of Medicine.
Extensive committee involvement, including American Medical Association’s CPT Advisory Committee and the Florida Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee.
Active educator and speaker at national, regional, and local levels.
Available for consultation, research, analysis, report generation, deposition, and trial testimony as an expert witness.
- Auditing
- Medical Billing
- Medical Fraud
- Medical Insurance
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: EDUCATION:
- Bachelor of Science (With Distinction), Cornell University College of Engineering, 1981
- Doctor of Medicine (With Distinction), University of Michigan Medical School, 1984
- Ophthalmology Residency, John Hopkins University, 1985
- Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, University of California San Fransisco, 1988
- Master of Business Administration, University of Central Florida College of Business, 1999
CERTIFICATIONS:
- American Health Information Management Association: Certified Coding Specialist, Physician-Based (CCS-P)
- American Academy of Professional Coders: Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)
- American Board of Ophthalmology: Certified Physician - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Inductee, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Professional Coders, American College of Surgeons, American Health Information Management Association, American Medical Association, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brevard County Medical Society, Florida Medical Association, Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association, Surgical Eye Expeditions International
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: SPEAKING EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Freeman is an active instructor and speaker to local, regional, and national audiences. Topics include:
- Resource based relative value scale (RBRVS)
- National Correct Coding Initiative
- CPT methodology and updates
- Evaluation and Management coding
- Surgical coding
- Modifiers
- Fraud and abuse
- Audits
- Internet coding and reimbursement resources
- Strategic planning
- Quality management
WRITING EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Freeman authors the "coding.doc" column in the Ophthalmology Times magazine. These articles are not subject to peer review:
- Advanced beneficiary notice shifts responsibility for payment
- Coding for pterygium: diagnostics and therapeutics
- New vitreoretinal codes represent major change for 2008
- Know the guidelines for coding glaucoma tests
- 2008's new modifiers should be used correctly
- CPT's category III codes provide key to new technologies
- The National Correct Coding Initiative and bundling
- Physician fee schedules, coding are closely related
- Glaucoma surgical coding remains a challenge
- Consultations are again the focus of changes
- Avoidance of coding errors helps doctors stay safe
- Switch to ICD-10 must be managed effectively
- "Medically Unlikely Edits" program sets payment limits
- Coding landscape changes for glaucoma diagnosis and treatment
- CAC members help provide clarity to coverage decisions
- Modifier -59 modifications carry big reimbursement impact
- Payer perspective guides reimbursement - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: More than 100
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: - 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 - Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: 2019
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Expert witness work across all specialties including testimony, review of billing records, report preparation, consulting, research, analysis.
Douglas W. Barnes
Kelley Kronenberg
Lauren A. McCray
Lane Powell
Francis J. Carroll, Jr.
Volusia County (FL) Attorney's Office