Cancer is the second most common form of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. To accurately report CPT and ICD-10-CM codes for skin and breast cancer, coders need a thorough understanding of symptoms of malignancies and treatments used to prevent them from spreading. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Cognitive impairment ranges from mild to severe and can impact a person’s ability to perform everyday functions such as talking, remembering, and comprehending information. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA , reviews CPT and ICD-10-CM coding, and care planning for patients living with cognitive impairment.
Hospital systems need to be watchful for CMS proposals that will impact payment for drugs and drug therapies in 2019 and beyond. Jugna Shah, MPH, reviews the potential implications of recent CMS actions, such as the publication of the 2019 IPPS proposed rule and the overhaul of 340B drug payment program.
Predicting CMS policies can be a foolhardy exercise, especially with a relatively new administration and frequent turnover at the highest levels of HHS over the last year. But it’s safe to say drug payment policy has been and will continue to be a focus of the current regime.
Healthcare providers are often confused about what a commercial or managed care payer would want in order to approve the claim. Much of this confusion comes from the timing of requirements to ensure reimbursement.
Coders are on the front lines of claim submission and in a good position to foster compliance. Learn strategies to prevent fraud and abuse and encourage accurate documentation and billing within your outpatient facility. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
A recent report from the Office of Inspector General focuses on improper payments for specimen validity tests billed in combination with urine drug tests. Yvette DeVay, MHA, CPC, CPMA, CIC, CPC-I, reviews Medicare instructions and coding guidance for presumptive and definitive drug testing.
When planning to implement a coding auditing program, the type of reviews, focus areas, and review frequency must all be taken into consideration. Rose T. Dunn, MBA, RHIA, CPA/CGMA, FACHE, FHFMA, CHPS , details how to conduct an effective coding audit and ensure compliance with documentation requirements.
Do you question how your compensation and work responsibilities compare to those reported by coders across the country? To see how you stack up, review results from JustCoding’s 2017 Coder Salary Survey . Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Every year, more than 30 million people in the United States are diagnosed with sinusitis, otherwise known as a sinus infection. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA, reviews signs and symptoms of sinusitis and CPT coding for procedures used to treat the infection.
CMS recently released MLN Matters SE18001 to provide healthcare practitioners with instructions and coding guidance for specimen validity when performed and billed in combination with drug testing. The article was issued to remind laboratories and other providers performing urine drug testing that specimen validity testing (SVT) is not separately billable.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), it is estimated that more than half a million people in the U.S. have Crohn’s disease. For unknown reasons, the disease has become more widespread in both the U.S. and other parts of the world.
A coding audit may be conducted by internal staff or external entities, typically representing the insurers paying for the care. When planning to implement a coding auditing program, the type of reviews, focus areas, and review frequency must all be taken into consideration.
One in 12 adults suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence, and more than half of adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking. Adrienne Commeree, CPC, CPMA, CCS, CEMC, CPIP, outlines ICD-10-CM rules for substance use, abuse, and dependence, and diagnosis coding for alcohol-related conditions.
Coders and clinical documentation improvement specialists play a key role in the success of quality payment programs such as MIPS. This article describes the financial impact that hierarchical condition category coding has on provider reimbursement and the coder’s role in ensuring complete, accurate, and timely documentation. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Coding for hydration and chemotherapy administration can be a daunting task for both beginner and experienced coders, who may not understand the hierarchy rules and gray areas in the CPT guidelines. Review correct coding for these services and how they fit into the hierarchy. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
It’s estimated that more than half a million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA , outlines symptoms and treatments for Crohn’s disease, as well as ICD-10-CM coding for the condition and associated complications.
The shift from fee-for-service to value-based programs for outpatient payment systems has increased the need for outpatient CDI staff to review documentation for pertinent clinical factors.
With the expansion of telehealth services, providers for both the originating site and distant site can also count on the expansion of Medicare contractor audits.
