Q: We're wondering about how to use CPT ® code 73225 (magnetic resonance angiography [MRA], upper extremity, with or without contrast material) in our hospital. When providing an MRA of an upper extremity with and without contrast material, should we bill this service twice (since CPT indicates with or without contrast material) or only once?
What constitutes good documentation? The next physician treating the patient should be able to pick up the medical record and know exactly what happened in the previous encounter. How often does this...
LOL BTW K+ BP↑ It’s a texting world, and more and more we use shorthand in our everyday lives. What about shorthand in a medical record? Can you code from it? First, let’s look at what kind of...
Q: ICD-9-CM includes Pott’s fracture as an alternate term for a bimalleolar fracture. However, ICD-10-CM doesn’t include that term in either the Alphabetic Index or the Tabular List. If the physician documents a Pott’s fracture, can we automatically use the code for bimalleolar fractures in ICD-10-CM, even though the term is not in the index?
ICD-10-PCS includes three root operations that involve taking out or eliminating solid matter, fluids, or gases from a body part. Donna Smith, RHIA, and Mark Dominesey, RN, BSN, MBA, CCDS, CDIP, review root operations Drainage, Extirpation, and Fragmentation.
When a patient comes in contact with a drug or chemical that has an unhealthy effect, coders will have an easier time reporting it in ICD-10-CM than in ICD-9-CM. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I , AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer reviews poisoning and adverse effect coding in both code sets.
The section of codes that expanded most in ICD-10-CM involves orthopedic injuries, especially fractures. Kim Carr, RHIT, CCS, CDIP, CCDS , and Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, highlight some of the most significant changes for fracture coding.
The 2015 IPPS final rule , released August 4, focuses on quality initiatives and includes no ICD-9-CM diagnosis or procedure code changes. However, CMS did finalize some MS-DRG changes for Fiscal Year 2015.
Take it from today’s victims, er, patients, at the Fix ‘Em Up Clinic: not every idea is a good idea. First in today is Jeff. He took part in a s’more eating contest at camp last night. I’ve...
ICD-10-CM includes 68,000 codes and ICD-10-PCS features 71,924 code choices. Scary numbers, right? Not according to Sue Bowman, RHIA, CCS, senior director of coding policy and compliance for AHIMA in...
The new ICD-10 implementation date gives us more than a year to finish preparing for the big transition. So why learn about how to code diabetes in ICD-10-CM now? “It’s never too early to start...
The codes for reporting pelvic fractures in ICD-10-CM have expanded, due to added specificity and classification systems that may be new to coders. Review the anatomy of the pelvis to prepare for coding pelvic fractures in ICD-10-CM.
The summer heat can lead to an increase in many sun and heat-related illnesses. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, reviews common summer ailments and how to choose the right codes in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
October 1, 2015, will be the new ICD-10 implementation date, according to the final rule, Administrative Simplification: Change to the Compliance Date for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD–10–CM and ICD-10-PCS) Medical Data Code Set, published in the August 4 Federal Register .
Hospitals will still use CPT ® codes to report procedures after ICD-10 is implemented, but some will also code with ICD-10-PCS. Andrea Clark, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H , reviews the advantages and challenges outpatient facilities may face when using ICD-10-PCS.
Q: My physicians perform procedures in the office such as angioplasties, catheter insertions, venograms, and repairs of grafts and fistulas. What is the proper way to code the medications they administered during the procedures?
Well, we once again have an official ICD-10 implementation date. HHS released a display copy of Administrative Simplification: Change to the Compliance Date for the International Classification of...
Coders have only two options for reporting fractures of the patella in ICD-9-CM, closed (822.0) and open (822.1). In ICD-10-CM, that number will jump to more than 400. Many of these options are the result of separate codes to denote laterality (right or left) in ICD-10-CM. However, the code set also includes options for specific types of fractures, increasing the importance of clear and accurate provider documentation.
