Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, CCDS-O, writes that it’s important for inpatient coders to acquaint themselves with any underlying conditions related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in order to ensure accurate reporting, reimbursement, and data gathering.
This article details CDI quality review processes from various hospitals, some of which zero in on patient safety indicator and mortality cases to improve their facility’s severity of illness and rate of mortality scores.
Heart disease is a broad category, but for this article Julian Everett, RN, BSN, CDIP , takes a look at ICD-10-CM reporting for myocardial infarctions (MI). It is essential to understand what defines an MI, current quality initiatives for MIs, and documentation and coding requirements for this diagnosis. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Judith L. Kares, JD, writes about the unique coverage, billing, and payment rules that apply to these blood products and related services under Part B.
HIM directors’ and managers’ salaries have largely held steady, but the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is making itself felt. Learn how your salary compares to your peers’ and what you can do to improve your earning power in the future.
In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, CMS has expanded patient access to telehealth services, allowing beneficiaries to receive a wide range of services without having to visit a healthcare facility.
Physicians can be a bit prickly at times. While this statement intentionally downplays the behavior of (hopefully) only a few doctors, I believe that most physicians are amenable to CDI concepts. While attempting to effect change in physician documentation patterns, I’ve learned many lessons from my medical staff and from other creative CDI colleagues.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which had not previously been identified in humans, is the strain that was discovered in 2019. It causes novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and is responsible for the current global pandemic.
As the U.S. slowly tries to recover from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the country might not ever be the same. States have been trying to reopen to regain their local economy, but in April, the U.S. unemployment rate was at the highest it’s ever been since the Great Depression.
EHRs have fundamentally changed the healthcare industry. The wealth of data they’ve generated has been a boon to research and population health—and has also helped payers use sophisticated data analytics to drive denials.
Valerie Rinkle, MPA, CHRI , breaks down updated CMS guidance for reporting virtual clinic visits and other telehealth services rendered at on- and excepted off-campus provider-based departments.
Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) reported that several outpatient claims did not meet medical necessity requirements for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for diabetic wounds of the lower extremities, according to the July 2020 Medicare Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter .
CPT® coding for respiratory procedures can be challenging, given the structural complexity of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Refresh your knowledge of respiratory anatomy and CPT reporting of angiographies, laryngoscopies, and endotracheal intubations. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Cathy Farraher Nakhoul, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CCDS , describes simple actions you can take to show appreciation for providers and make education unobtrusive during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
Q: We have a patient who gave birth while admitted for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). How should this be reported and sequenced in ICD-10-CM and which MS-DRG would this be assigned to?
To deal with the rising rate of infection and increased hospital admissions for extraordinarily sick patients due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), CDI teams have had to act quickly by adapting to remote work, modifying CDI practices, and more.