Coders have until September 30, 2015, to pass AAPC’s ICD-10 proficiency test in order to retain their credentials. AAPC recently added another way to prove proficiency that includes an online training portion, in addition to the previously available timed assessment.
Documentation for vertebral augmentation procedures (VAPs) must adhere to Local Coverage Determination (LCD) policies in order to be paid by Medicare. CMS recently provided guidance for these claims in the Medicare Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter .
Information that is not important for ICD-9-CM will take on new significance in ICD-10-CM. Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, CENTC, and Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, review areas when specificity comes into play in ICD-10-CM.
In its 2014 OPPS Final Rule , CMS finalized its proposal to replace existing evaluation and management CPT ® clinic visit codes with a single HCPCS G-code.
CMS created a 2-midnight presumption and benchmark as part of the 2014 IPPS Final Rule as a way to clarify its guidelines for inpatient admission. However, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) believe the clarification creates more confusion.
Yeah, ICD-10 is all different, isn't it? Well, the appearance of the codes may change, but the diseases don't. Some things you're used to may be truly different, but what we think about while coding doesn't totally change.
CMS recently released five online resources to aid providers in their ICD-10 implementation efforts. Although CMS designed some of these resources with providers in mind, much of the information is applicable to hospitals, payers, and vendors as well.
Some hospitals are incorrectly reporting lymphoma and leukemia MS-DRGs for patients who are admitted and treated for anemia and dehydration, according to the Medicare Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter .
The 2014 IPPS Final Rule was supposed to be implemented with enforcement beginning October 1, but one of its most controversial aspects has seen another delay in enforcement, with major healthcare trade groups seeking more.
Recovery Auditors are data mining for sepsis MS-DRGs and then focusing in on those with a short length of stay. Robert S. Gold, MD, and Gloryanne Bryant, BS, RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, provide tips for correct sepsis coding to avoid auditor takebacks.
