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JustCoding.com provides coders, coding supervisors, and health information management (HIM) directors with educational resources to test their coding knowledge, employ correct coding guidelines, and stay abreast of CMS transmittals. To learn about the different levels of access to this site, click here.
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Understand ICD-9-CM coding for descriptive terms and nonspecific findings
Codes can be especially difficult to find for conditions that are not names, or that physicians describe in rather general terms. Joel Moorhead, MD, PhD, tackles these coding challenges and explains how in-depth knowledge of descriptive terms and nonspecific findings indexed in the ICD-9-CM Manual can help coders reach a high level of accuracy for some of the most difficult cases. 
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Stacy Gregory, CPC, CCC, RCC, discusses the code changes in diagnostic and interventional radiology that will require coders to rethink how they code and bill cardiac computed tomography, myocardial perfusion studies, and arteriovenous dialysis fistula access.
Glenn Krauss, BBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPUR, PCS, FCS, C-CDIS, CCDS, explains why coders need to make sure that they assign codes that truly reflect the patient’s severity and acuity so as not to perpetuate unsubstantiated increases in case mixes. This, in turn, contributes to additional financial challenges in the form of payment updates that aim to recoup potential overpayments.
Robert S. Gold, MD, discusses the importance of reading operative reports carefully to determine what the physician found and which procedures he or she performed. Gold takes a particularly close look at coding for closure or takedown of colostomy or ileostomy.
The switch to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS in October 2013 will be an ‘end-to-end’ initiative across hospitals, payers, vendors, and data users. Caroline R. Piselli, MBA, RN, FACHE, takes a closer look at the mechanics of such a massive change and addresses some critical tasks that five critical stakeholders—HIM, physicians, finance, IT, and payers—need to execute.
Vaccinations and immunizations are some of the most frequently administered services at pediatric practices. Unfortunately, it is also common for coders to report them incorrectly, often resulting in missed reimbursement. Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, CENTC, and Jacqueline J. Stack, AAB, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CFPC, CIMC, CPEDC, CCP-P, address mistakes coders make at pediatric practices and suggest areas to focus on for internal audits.
Given the alarming figures from a 2008 Office of Inspector General report, it should come as no surprise that significant changes have taken effect in 2010 for facet joint injection codes. Holly Cassano, CPC, explains guidance for using the new codes and clarifies which services are bundled.
Be cautious when using crosswalks ... for ICD-10 that is
February 8, 2010
Having a complete crosswalk for every ICD-9 code to the new, improved, more specific ICD-10 code is kind of like that desert mirage on the horizon where the inviting little oasis with water and palm trees is so darn elusive. If you think about it, it makes sense that things wouldn't be that simple. If all [...] 
Medicaid Integrity Contractors: We want to hear from you!
February 4, 2010
Some of you are probably familiar with the Medicaid Integrity Contractors (MICs), specifically the audit MICs, which are conducting Medicaid post-payment audits similar to the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) initiative for Medicare. Has your organization undergone a MIC audit? Are you or someone else on your team involved in handling this process? If so, we'd love [...] 
Spoiler alert! See the answer to our recent pop quiz!
February 2, 2010
In a recent ICD-10 Watch post, we challenged our subscribers to test their ICD-10 knowledge with a little pop quiz. ICD-9-CM code 512.0 (Spontaneous tension pneumothorax) crosswalks to what ICD-10-CM code(s)? Check out some of the answers fellow ICD-10 Watchers submitted: I used the AAPC crosswalk to find J93.0 — Cynthia Rowell It crosswalks to J93.0 — Tami Henzel The [...] 
Healthcare News: CMS issues Transmittal to address improper payment issues in OIG reports
February 3, 2010
On January 15, CMS released Transmittal 620 in the One-Time Notification Manual advising contractors to strengthen program safeguards to prevent improper payment for four specific areas the Office of Inspector General identified in recent reports.
Healthcare News: RACs update lists of approved audit issues
January 27, 2010
Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) have been particularly active over the last few weeks. One RAC removed an item from its list of issues approved for review, which is fairly unusual, while several added a significant number of new issues. This article includes a sampling of the most recent updates that RACs posted during the last week.
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Check out what you're missing on JustCoding Platinum!
A form from the Physician Queries Handbook in the Sample policies and forms section:
- Inpatient Physician Query Process
Continuing education credits: To receive a 0.5 CE credit, take the quiz after reading the following articles:
- Understand ICD-9-CM coding for descriptive terms and nonspecific findings
- Tackle the tasks necessary to execute ICD-10 transition
- Read colostomy, ileostomy documentation to identify separately reportable procedures
- Healthcare News: CMS issues transmittal to address improper payment issues in OIG reports
- Q&A: Coding for sclerotherapy of vulvar varicosities
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February 19, 2010
Sepsis Coding and Documentation: Case Studies to Prevent Common Mistakes
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