Coding managers should not assume that they can review every coding guideline, Coding Clinic , or coding-related issue targeted by the Office of Inspector General. Review considerations for conducting focused internal and external audits. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
CMS released the fiscal year (FY) 2023 IPPS proposed rule on April 18, with proposals for the annual ICD-10-CM/PCS code update and increases to hospital payment rates. The rule also introduces new quality measures aimed at advancing health equity and improving maternal health outcomes.
Reviewing a sample of claims for clinical validity and coding accuracy can seem like a daunting task. Kaitlin Loos, RN, BSN, CDI auditor, and Molly Siebert, RHIA, CCDS, CDI specialist, describe their individualized review processes.
Inpatient coders must be familiar with different types of denials such as those due to clinical validity concerns. Alba Kuqi, MD, MSHIM, CDIP, CCS, CCDS, CRCR, CICA, CSMC, RHIA, CCM , outlines components of a clinical validation denial and tools used to craft a clinical validation appeal.
Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC , describes the difference between an implant and a foreign body removal and outlines CPT coding for these procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Although most organizations do a good job of tracking denials by reason, payer, and volume, they miss the mark when communicating information about appeals, according to the results of HIM Briefings’ 2022 Denials Management Survey.
A New York City provider received an estimated $1.1 million in Medicare overpayments for behavioral health services that did not comply with billing requirements, according to a recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) report.
Certain provider services such as acupuncture and cosmetic surgery are not reimbursed by Medicare. This article describes when and how to apply HCPCS modifiers for non-covered services.
Nancy Treacy, MPH, RHIA, CDIP, CCS , describes her team’s experience implementing a streamlined audit process and offers advice to help others do the same. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Monitoring coding accuracy enables coding managers to spot error trends that could result in claim denials. Rose T. Dunn, MBA, RHIA, CPA, FACHE, FHFMA, CHPS , describes two methods used to calculate coding accuracy based on a sample of claims.
A recent audit conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) projected that hospitals received $47.8 million in net overpayments from January 2018 through July 2019 for Medicare Part A claims that did not meet national requirements or contractor specifications for bariatric surgery.
CMS recently released an update to the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Procedure-to-Procedure (PTP) edit files, introducing more than 4,000 new CPT code pairs. The PTP edits took effect April 1 and primarily involve codes found in the pathology and laboratory section of the CPT Manual .
Facilities can limit their exposure to claim denials and external reviews by implementing a robust internal coding compliance program. This article breaks down components of a coding policy and compliance plan and approaches to monitoring coding quality. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Bruxism, or excessive teeth grinding, is a common condition that is often brought on by stress and anxiety . Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA , describes the causes and symptoms of bruxism and ICD-10-CM coding for the condition.
Physician service modifier -FT for unrelated E/M visits provided on the same day has been a source of confusion for many coding and billing professionals. Review the latest coding and billing guidance for reporting this modifier.
