A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an interventional cardiology procedure that has proven to be an important life-saving cardiac intervention frequently seen by inpatient coders. In this article, Stephen Houlahan, RN, MSN, MBA, CCDS, reviews TAVR history, clinical background, and documentation and reimbursement methodologies to ensure proper education and compliance for facilities.
With March declared National Endometriosis Awareness Month, Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, HCS-D, details endometriosis-related procedure reporting for inpatient coders. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Laurie L. Prescott, MSN, RN, CCDS, CDIP , details the basics of ICD-10-CM/PCS for newer inpatient coders including a review of the ICD-10-CM seventh-character extension, placeholder use, and ICD-10-PCS root operations. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Adrienne Commeree, CPC, CPMA, CCS, CEMC, CPIP, reviews ICD-10-CM/PCS cardiac coding for American Heart Month and writes that since accurate coding improves data quality for these conditions, which in turn is used for statistics and tracking trends, ensuring the disease process is captured correctly is imperative. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
In 2018, most organizations held the line on coder productivity, according to the results of sister publication HIM Briefings’ 2018 coding productivity survey.
This article reviews HCPro’s 2018 coding productivity survey and reviews data on factors that have affected coder productivity, remote coders, and collaboration between coders and CDI specialists, including charts coded per hour and coding accuracy standards.
Adriane Martin, DO, FACOS, CCDS, reviews Coding Clinic’s Third and Fourth Quarter 2018 advice including reporting for coronary artery bypass grafting, drainage of an abscess in the submandibular space, and diabetes. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Assigning the appropriate ICD-10-PCS code for spinal procedures can be a challenge for inpatient coders as they need to correctly identify each character of the seven-character code. In this article, Nena Scott, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS , offers coding tips for reporting spinal surgery cases in ICD-10-PCS and examines the correct use of each character. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
For patients who suffer from frequent symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the provider may have to increase to prescription strength medications and possibly consider surgical intervention for severe cases. In this article, Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, HCS-D, reviews ICD-10-CM/PCS coding for these GERD diagnoses and procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Adrienne Commeree, CPC, CPMA, CCS, CEMC, CPIP, writes that understanding spinal anatomy, the reporting of detailed spinal diagnoses, and the selection of applicable procedure codes can ensure that these complicated claims are reimbursed correctly and in compliance with coding guidelines. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Adriane Martin, DO, FACOS, CCDS , reviews some of the ICD-10-CM/PCS code and CC/MCC updates that made the final cut in the fiscal year 2019 IPPS final rule.
Adriane Martin, DO, FACOS, CCDS, reviews Coding Clinic guidance published in the first and second quarters of this year as it pertains to coding guidelines, severity of illness, and MS-DRG assignment for the inpatient setting.
The verdict is in. CMS’ fiscal year (FY) 2019 IPPS final rule took effect on October 1 and impacts 3,300 hospitals. CMS made changes to several of its inpatient quality programs: Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program, Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, and Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, in addition to the changes made to ICD-10 CM/PCS codes.
Adriane Martin, DO, FACOS, CCDS , writes that abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are the most common type of aortic aneurysm, and the complexities surrounding AAAs make reporting procedures related to them difficult for even the most skilled inpatient coder.
Summer has ended. For some, that marks the start of school, the beginning of football season, and the return of the pumpkin spice latte. If you are an inpatient coder or CDI specialist, it marks two full quarters worth of Coding Clinic advice.
Adrienne Commeree, CPC, CPMA, CCS, CEMC, CPIP , provides background on vaccinations and writes that coding for vaccine administration isn’t relegated to the outpatient coder; inpatient coders also have codes to report for vaccine administration. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Adriane Martin, DO, FACOS, CCDS, says that knowledge of coding guidelines and Coding Clinic advice, as well as an understanding of the spine anatomy and the spinal fusion procedure itself, can go a long way toward helping put together the pieces of the fusion puzzle.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, approximately 13,000 Americans die each year from aortic aneurysms , with most of the deaths attributable to an aneurysmal rupture or dissection.
William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP , AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, Jonathan Besler, CPA, MA , and Mary Devine, RN , write that while it is well-known that ICD-10-CM/PCS code assignment impacts hospital reimbursement and compliance, there is an additional code that often flies under the radar for inpatient coders and has a huge impact on reimbursement: the discharge status code.
Adriane Martin, DO, FACOS, CCDS, summarizes the proposed changes found in the fiscal year (FY) 2019 IPPS proposed rule, broken down by Major Diagnostic Category (MDC), that would impact ICD-10-CM/PCS codes. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
