Some facilities plan to use both CPT ® and ICD-10-PCS to code procedures after implementation. Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, and Angie Comfort, RHIT, CDIP, CCS, discuss the advantages and challenges of this strategy, and how to implement it.
While the digestive and integumentary sections had extensive edits in the latest CPT ® update, many sections were left relatively unchanged. Joanne Schade-Boyce, BSDH, MS, CPC, ACS , and Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, review which sections only had minor updates and take a closer look at evaluation and management and chemodenervation changes in the 2014 CPT Manual.
Physician office coders are likely familiar with coding for x-ray procedures, but may not have much experience coding ultrasound. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, CDIP, COBGC, and ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, reviews how ultrasound procedure codes are categorized and offers tips on reporting them in office settings.
Coding debridement of ulcers requires that coders know the type, location, and depth of the ulcer and the treatment provided. Gloria Miller, CPC, and Robert S. Gold, MD, review the clinical and coding aspects of ulcer debridement.
With no national guidelines in place for facilities to use to determine evaluation and management (E/M) level, coders must apply their facility’s guidelines when coding an outpatient visit. Caral Edelberg, CPC, CPMA, CAC, CCS-P, CHC, and Joanne M. Becker, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, use three ED case studies to highlight potential pitfalls for ED E/M leveling.
Debbie Mackaman, RHIA, CPCO, CCDS, discusses modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) use, including the latest guidance from CMS on the four new, more specific replacements—and how more guidance is needed before providers can feel comfortable using them.
Physician coders won't be able to just report the CPT ® code that best describes the procedure for some digestive system services in 2015. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Raemarie Jimenez, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CANPC, CRHC, explain why some payers, including CMS, may require new G codes for certain procedures and how the G codes map to related CPT codes.
The ultimate goal of fetal surveillance is to prevent fetal death. Part of this process is a fetal non-stress test (FNST), the monitoring of the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CHDA, CCS-P, CCP, CPC, COBGC, details what the FNST includes and how to code for it.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is only covered for certain diagnoses after extensive prequalification. Gloria Miller, CPC, CPMA, reviews how HBO therapy can be used for wound care, as well as 2014 changes for wound care clinics.
The AMA significantly changed how coders report cervicocerebral imaging in 2013. Andrea Clark, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H, and David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, CPC?H, CCC, CCS, RCC, discuss the changes and provide tips for coding these services.
