Primary care providers see patients for a wide variety of conditions, meaning coders in those settings may have to learn many of the new concepts and terms in ICD-10-CM. Annie Boynton, BS, RHIT, CPCO, CCS, CPC, CCS-P, COC, CPC-P, CPC-I, and Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPC-I, CPMA, CRC, CHPSE, CGSC, CENTC, COBGC, CPEDC, discuss three common conditions seen in these settings and what information coders will need to look for in documentation to code them in ICD-10-CM.
You may recall that Steve’s super streak at the Vegas craps table ended with a torn right ulnar collateral ligament. On the recommendation of his primary care physician, Steve consulted an orthopedic...
You know us and the staff at the Acme ED, Fix ‘Em Up Clinic, and the Stitch ‘EM Up Hospital. Now, we want to get to know a little bit about you, our readers. Please complete this short survey to tell...
I spent the weekend reading the 2016 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule. Not the most thrilling reading ever (government-ese should be classified as a foreign language). I did...
Last week, Steve spent some serious time at the craps table in Las Vegas. He was on a real roll with those dice, racking up a 14-hour winning streak. However, on that last throw, something went very...
The endless last-minute patches for the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) are almost history. Late last night, the Senate overwhelmingly passed H.R. 2, which repeals the SGR. The House overwhelmingly...
CMS is asking for some social media help in support of ICD-10. The agency is planning a social media rally to encourage the healthcare community to get ready for the ICD-10 transition. You can sign...
I’m always fascinated by new medical research and information about diseases I’ve never heard of. They also make great fodder for this blog. I recently came across an article on REM sleep behavior...
Fifteen-month-old Finn is back at the Fix ‘Em Up Clinic today to see Dr. Spock. Finn is currently suffering from a fever, reduced appetite, and sore throat, according to his mom Melissa. Finn just...
As we continue to move closer to ICD-10 implementation (still set for October 1, 2015), I keep finding more reasons why we need better documentation. I am not trying to pick on physicians (really),...
In ICD-10-CM, coders will use a seventh character, not an aftercare code, to identify follow-up treatment for an injury. Glenn Krauss, BBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPUR, FCS, PCS, CCDS, C-CDI, C-DAM, Kristi Pollard, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, and Anita Rapier, RHIT, CCS, explain how aftercare coding will change in ICD-10-CM.
The seventh character in an ICD-10-CM code represents either the fetus (for pregnancy codes), or the encounter (for injuries and burns). Jennifer E. Avery, CCS, CPC-H, CPC, CPC-I, Gretchen Young-Charles, RHIA, and Nelly Leon-Chisen, RHIA, review guidelines for correct seventh character selection.
Ruth and Gary thought it would be great fun to give their nieces Amanda and Rachel some peeps for Easter. Amanda and Rachel thought they were getting marshmallow treats (so did their parents) so it...
No joke this time. We have six months left until ICD-10 implementation. That’s a good news/bad news proposition. The good news is that all of the hard work we’ve put into training and implementation...
Mental health disorders are common in the United States, with an estimated 19% of Americans 18 or older suffering from a diagnosable mental disorder, according to a 2012 survey from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
One of the great things about healthcare and medicine is you can always learn something new. Today’s odd but true condition is exploding head syndrome. (I love the Internet.) If you have ever...
Jeff went on vacation to Hawaii three weeks ago to enjoy some sun, sand, and surfing. He came back with some cool photos and a broken ankle. Apparently, the parking lot at the beach did him in even...
Poor Wendy. Shortly before Christmas, she stubbed her toe, really hard. However, no bruise appeared and her toe didn’t swell up, so she thought nothing of it. Three weeks later, she stretched her...
