Jocelyn E. Murray, RN, CCDS, reviews the similarities and differences between CDI audits and coding compliance audits and says it’s our collective responsibility to provide the insight that defines the two specialties and the critical efforts both bring to the table.
James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, CCDS, CDIP, interprets the various guidance given in Coding Clinic , Fourth Quarter 2017, including pre-bill audits and denials based on clinical criteria, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with exacerbated asthma.
Q: Our coding department has been reviewing the AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding but were interested in learning more about standard seven. I didn’t realize that continuing education credits help with ethical coding.
The improper payment rate for hospital outpatient services was 5.4%, accounting for 7.5% of the Medicare Fee-For-Service improper payment rate, according to 2016 Medicare Fee-for-Service Improper Payments Report.
When faced with a claim denial, providers need to understand what is being denied and when an appeal is appropriate. This article outlines basic steps providers need to take before composing an appeal for a claim denial and helpful tips for successfully navigating through the appeals process.
Updates to the 2018 CPT Manual , set to go into effect January 1, include several additions, revisions, and deletions to E/M and anesthesia procedural code sets. Familiarize yourself with these coding changes to aid in accurate reporting and prevent disruptions to the claims process. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The first week of December was National Influenza Vaccination Week, a week highlighting the importance of continuing flu vaccination, particularly through the holiday season. Peggy Blue, MPH, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC , writes about CPT coding for vaccinations and immunization administration.
Q: Can acute respiratory failure be used as the principal diagnosis rather than ICD-10-CM code I46.9 (cardiac arrest, cause unspecified) when both are present on admission?
More than 13 million Americans have bladder incontinence, and women are twice more likely than men to have it, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Peggy Blue, MPH, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, reviews ICD-10-CM/PCS coding for the bladder and writes that with so many Americans affected, knowledge of proper coding of bladder diagnoses and procedures is important.
Creating a query can be complicated, and there are a number of continued training tactics that prove successful for the coder when trying to improve upon physician query practices. This article takes a look at how improving a coder’s knowledge of principal and secondary diagnosis selection can produce a more effective physician query. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
