A physician can debride a wound to remove dead, damaged, or infected tissue so the remaining healthy tissue can better heal. Coders need to look for specific information in the documentation of wound debridement.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the permanent alteration in the kidney’s ability to perform filtration and reabsorption functions. Patients with CKD can come into an outpatient clinic or may be admitted as an inpatient, either for the CKD or some other condition. Debra Lawson, CPC, PCS, and Jennifer E. Avery, CCS, CPC-H, CPC, CPC-I, explain the ICD-9-CM and CPT ® coding for CKD.
In coding, sometimes it really is brain surgery and coders need a strong understanding of the anatomy of the skull and brain in order to correctly report diagnoses and procedures. Cynthia Stewart, CPC, CPMA, CPC-H, CPC-I, discusses the anatomy of the brain and skull and guides coders through some brain surgery procedures.
A lot of learning is ahead for coders and others who will need to learn how to code in ICD-10. There are changes all around, and OB coding is no exception. Lori-Lynne A, Webb, COBGC, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, explains coding for OB ultrasounds, amniocentesis, MRIs, and other procedures in CPT ® , ICD-9, and ICD-10
With the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM coding, coders need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. To help coders prepare for the upcoming transition, we will provide an occasional article about specific anatomical locations and body parts as part of a larger series for ICD-10-CM preparation. This month’s column addresses the anatomy of the skull.
Cardiac catheterization is a common procedure performed to study cardiac function and anatomy and to determine if a patient is a candidate for intervention. Terry Fletcher, CPC, CCC, CEMS, CCS-P, CCS, CMSCS, CMC, and Jillian Harrington, MHA, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I, CCS-P, MHP, explain how to code the different catheterization procedures.
Many physicians say that systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria are insufficient and confusing at best, and don't indicate whether a patient is truly sick. Some patients may meet necessary criteria for SIRS and truly have sepsis or another severe diagnosis. Others, however, may meet two of four criteria but not actually have SIRS. Where does all of this information leave coders? Often between a rock and hard place. Jennifer E. Avery, CCS, CPC-H, CPC, CPC-I, and Robert S. Gold, MD, offer seven tips for coders who need to negotiate tricky sepsis coding.
Coders and clinicians often seem to speak different languages. What a clinician considers important information may not be what a coder needs to assign the correct code. Clinicians may not document a piece of information that is vital to the coder. Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, CENTC, Joseph Nichols, MD, and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, explain how clinicians and coders can work together to improve communication.
