JustCoding.com: Coding and Billing Related Links

Resources are the tools that make a coder effective. Like a carpenter without his tools, even the best coder can not perform competently without sufficient resources. And, the OIG, in its Compliance Program Guidance, outlines the minimal tools that coders should have access to when coding patient records. The following outline provides OIG-recommended references as well as other resources that will increase the competency of coding staff. The good coder will be one that can not get his/her hands on enough resources. It is the coder that is focused on continuous learning that will help make your organization an excellent coding machine - because coding is a dynamic, subjective, continuously changing process. Although the basic tenants of coding may remain the same over years, the exact content and application changes with time. And, we never know exactly when or how the changes will come, we just know that we need to be prepared.

Federal Government Websites/Information for Coders

OIG's Compliance Program Guidance for Third Party Billing Medical Companies
This resource includes an excerpt from the Federal Register as it pertains to guidance for third-party billing medical companies.
HIPAA regulations
This Web site contains detailed information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that may be useful as a reference for coding managers or HIM directors.
Medicare Learning Network
This is a CMS Web site that provides important educational information for fee-for-service providers.
ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Meeting Minutes
This Web site includes links to meeting minutes for meetings held by the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, which was created to provide a forum in which to present proposed changes to ICD-9-CM.
ICD-10 Manual
This is the draft of the ICD-10 Manual that appears on the government’s Web site.

Other Official/Quasi-Official Websites

AHIMA
The American Health Information Management Association is an excellent resource for AHIMA members. The Society for Clinical Coding, affiliated with AHIMA, can be accessed from this page. In addition, information on qualifying for and taking the coding certification exams (CCS and CCS-P) sponsored by AHIMA can be found on this site.
AAPC
The American Academy of Professional Coders is dedicated to the improvement of and education in the area of CPT coding. Of particular interest to coders on this web site is information regarding both the credentialing exam sponsored by the AAPC (CPC and CPC-H) as well as the independent study program for these two exams. The independent study program is a comprehensive and excellent way to train yourself in CPT coding. After you’ve completed the program, the books will serve as an excellent reference.
AMA
The AMA website can be accessed for information about upcoming CPT changes as well as information on ordering various CPT resources.
SNOMED
SNOMED (Standardized Nomenclature of Medicine) may be The coding system of the future. It is currently being used in over 50 countries and there is a significant lobby pushing for acceptance of the SNOMED system in the US as the official coding source. Access this web site for more information on the system.
PAHCOM
The Professional Association of Health Care Office Managers. This website has some interesting information and resources on physician office management.
AHA
The AHA website should be accessed for information on ICD-9-CM (they sponsor the Coding Clinic and Publish the ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook), compliance, and Medicare reimbursement system changes.
HCCA
the Health Care Compliance Association website should be accessed for the latest information on compliance issues, reimbursement concerns, and the upcoming compliance credentialing exam (CHC)

CMS Medicare Billing-Related Sites — General

CMS Medicare Billing – Related Sites — Hospital Specific

CMS Medicare Billing — Related Sites — Physician/Practitioner Specific

CMS Medicare Billing — Related Sites — Long Term Care Specific

Railroad Medicare

OIG Sites

OIG Home Page

GPO (Government Printing Office) Access

GPO Access Home Page
Code of Federal Regulations(Federal Regulations)
CFR Title 42
Federal Register
United States Code (Federal Statutes)

HIPAA Transaction and Code Set Standards

National Uniform Billing Committee
WPC EDI Standards (To Access Implementation Guides for the Transaction Standards)

Listserv Subscriptions

Coding and Clinical Resources

AHA/AHIMA Report to CMS on Proposed Facility E/M Coding System
American Academy of Professional Coders
American Health Information Management Association
American Hospital Association Central Office
"Coding Clinic" Ordering Information
"CPT Assistant" Ordering Information
CPT Manual Errata
DRG Definitions Manual/Grouper Ordering Information
HCPCS Data Files
ICD-9-CM CMS Home Page
ICD-9-CM Code Set Data Files
ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines (From National Center for Health Statistics)
Ingenix Product Notices(Changes/Corrections to Coding Manuals)
Merck Manual Online
Pharmacology Math (Designed for nurses, but also helpful for coders)

Coding and Billing Related Links