CMS recently released a fact sheet regarding the coding and billing of advance care planning services, following the release of a frequently asked questions document in July on the topic.
Coders may not be aware of the impact place of service codes can have on coding and billing. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, writes about how the codes are used and what coders should know about their application.
Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, reviews additional changes to the ICD-10-CM guidelines for 2017, including coding and clinical criteria, new guidelines for Excludes1 notes, and updates for reporting pressure ulcers.
Accurately reporting altered mental status and encephalopathy can be a challenge that requires coordination between coders and providers. James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, CDIP, explains best practices for coding these tricky conditions. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Q: The coders at my facility have started automatically linking congestive heart failure, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) to the combination code without any documentation of CHF “due to” hypertension. There is no documentation of hypertensive heart disease anywhere in the record, and the diagnoses are not linked anywhere in the record.
CMS released a national coverage determination recently covering a percutaneous left atrial appendage closure through their “coverage with evidence development” policy. CMS says this policy will be fully implemented on October 3, 2016.
Sharme Brodie, RN, CCDS , discusses how to decipher between some potentially confusing—and possibly conflicting—information regarding diabetes documentation requirements.
Shannon Newell, RHIA, CCS, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, writes that the majority of the 2017 IPPS final rule updates are consistent with those outlined in the proposed rule, but contain a few refinements. She reviews refinements to the number of claims-based outcomes linked to payment.
CMS released the 2017 OPPS proposed rule on July 5 without much fanfare. On July 14, the Federal Register version was posted, and upon initial review, it seems rather short at 186 pages.
CMS’ proposed changes to implement Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 would reshape payments for off-campus, provider-based departments (PBD) if finalized and represent the most significant changes in the calendar year (CY) 2017 OPPS proposed rule.
