Inpatient Articles

Below is a complete listing of all Inpatient articles that have appeared in JustCoding News.

  • A glimpse into the future of the CDI profession

    May 7, 2013

    The increasing complexity of the healthcare reimbursement system, quality initiatives, and the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS put clinical documentation improvement programs in the spotlight. Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, discusses the importance of documentation improvement specialists.

  • CMS allows providers to rebill medical necessity denials to Part B

    May 7, 2013

    Under a new ruling, CMS allows full Part B payment for inpatient stays that a contractor denies because it deems them to be not reasonable and necessary. David Danek and Ann Marshall, both from CMS, explain how the rebilling works under the ruling and what will be different under a simultaneously released proposed rule.

  • Condition code 44: How coders and billers can help ensure compliance

    May 7, 2013

    Although coders and billers don’t play a role in determining whether condition code 44 is appropriate, they certainly ensure correct billing of the code. Deborah K. Hale, CCS, CCDS, and John Zelem, MD, FACS, review the requirements for condition code 44 and when coders should report it.

  • Healthcare News: IPPS proposed rule includes few coding changes

    May 7, 2013

    Because of the code freeze currently in effect, CMS’ 2014 IPPS proposed rule, released April 26, contains a small number of code and MS-DRG changes.

     

  • Q&A: Surgical objects left inside patient

    May 7, 2013

    Q: A surgeon’s dictated report for a right hip hemiarthroplasty states the following:

    Of note, while drilling one of our transosseous suture holes with a 2.0 mm drill bit, the end of the drill bit broke off inside of the trochanter. It seemed to be quite deep into the bone and was not retrievable. As such, it was left in place.
     
    Should we report 998.4 (foreign body accidentally left during a procedure) for this case?

  • Don't let the three-day rule wreak havoc at your facility

    April 21, 2013

    The three-day rule defines certain preadmission outpatient services as inpatient operating costs that are covered and paid under the IPPS. Kimberly Anderwood Hoy, JD, CPC, and Valerie A. Rinkle, MPA, unravel the complex conditions associated with the rule.

  • Coding vs. clinical significance: What coders need to know

    April 21, 2013

    Distinguishing between clinical and coding significance is often confusing. Joel Moorhead, MD, PhD, CPC, discusses how coders should differentiate between the two.

  • Use caution when reporting unrelated DRGs

    April 21, 2013

    DRGs for procedures unrelated to the principal diagnosis should occur rarely. Robert S. Gold, MD, and Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, CCDS, CDIP, explain when it is appropriate to report an unrelated DRG.

  • Healthcare News: CMS reduces minimum number of RA requests

    April 21, 2013

    CMS seems to be giving hospitals somewhat of a reprieve when it comes to Recovery Auditor (RA) denials.

  • Q&A: Introducing new information in a query

    April 21, 2013

    Q: Is it appropriate to introduce new information in a multiple choice-formatted query?