The spread of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a serious, paralysis-inducing syndrome, is beginning to alarm epidemiologists who have yet to identify its cause. Recognize the first signs of AFM and learn how to report the condition using ICD-10-CM codes. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The endocrine system is an intricate collection of hormone-producing glands that help to control mood, metabolism, tissue function, and sexual development. This article breaks down endocrine anatomy and ICD-10-CM guidelines for reporting diabetes mellitus and Cushing’s disease. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Karen, a 67-year-old patient with a history of hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco use, presents to her primary care physician with complaints of pain in her right buttock and thigh when she walks from her house to her mailbox. She is then admitted as an inpatient for surgery.
Anemia is the most common blood disorder, affecting more than 3 million Americans per year, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. In this article, Joel Moorhead, MD, PhD, CPC , reviews documentation and ICD-10-CM coding for anemia.
Wound care coding is frequently a target of payer and Office of Inspector General audits. This article provides coders with step-by-step instructions for interpreting provider documentation and assigning CPT codes for excisional, selective, and non-selective debridement, based on the depth of the tissue removed and the total surface area debrided. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Coding for knee arthroscopies can be challenging, especially when procedures are performed in multiple compartments of the same knee. Read about anatomy and coding details required to accurately report these procedures.
Arthroscopic procedures allow surgeons to use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to treat conditions which previously required more intensive, open surgery. Learn about orthopedic anatomy and terminology and CPT guidelines for reporting arthroscopic hip and knee procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The beginning of a new year typically brings new resolutions to deal with weight-related issues. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, HCISPP , writes about ICD-10-CM coding for common weight-related diagnoses such as obesity and anorexia, and CPT coding for interventions used to treat them.
The ICD-10-CM Manual was recently updated with new codes for peritonitis in association with acute appendicitis and the CPT Manual now includes new codes for gastrostomy tube replacements. Familiarize yourself with these changes to ensure accurate reporting of digestive diagnoses and treatments. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The AMA updated the cardiovascular section of the 2019 CPT Manual to reflect advances in surgical treatment for cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and aortic stenosis. Read about new and revised codes for the implantation and removal of leadless pacemakers, cardiac rhythm monitors, and other surgical devices commonly used to treat chronic heart conditions. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Beginning in 2018, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was removed from the Inpatient Only List and assigned a comprehensive APC payment. Outpatient coders need to ensure they are assigning the correct CPT codes for TKA to reduce their hospital’s risk of audits.
The death of one twin in utero complicates oversight of a multifetal pregnancy. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC , reviews symptoms of vanishing twin syndrome and ICD-10-CM coding for continuing pregnancy after intrauterine death .
Coders must have a solid understanding of complex terminology and CPT and ICD-10-CM coding guidelines to select the most specific codes for traumatic fractures and their treatments. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
According to the National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion, an estimated 5.7 million adults throughout the U.S. have heart failure. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I, writes about ICD-10-CM coding for heart failure diagnoses and CPT coding for procedures used to treat the disease.
The FY 2019 ICD-10-CM update includes 54 code additions, three deletions, and 87 revisions to Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Manual , “Injuries, Poisonings, and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes.” Review updated codes and guidelines for reporting burns, infections and sepsis following a procedure, drug abuse, and human trafficking. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Before radiation therapy can be administered, several steps must be taken prepare the patient for treatment. Review CPT coding and documentation for the first two steps in the process: the initial consultation and preparation for radiation treatment. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Patients determined to have a tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) require immediate and aggressive surgical therapy. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC , reviews clinical documentation and ICD-10-CM coding for TOAs as well as CPT coding for surgical interventions used to treat them.
Medicare guidelines for reporting arthroscopic shoulder surgeries have changed significantly over the past decade. Review updated guidance and CPT coding for SLAP repairs as well as biceps tenotomy and tenodesis procedures to reduce audit risk. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older, according to the National Eye Institute. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA , reviews ICD-10-CM coding for AMD and CPT coding for treatments used to slow the disease’s progression.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, in 2013, 2 million people in the U.S. saw a physician for a rotator cuff problem. Review shoulder anatomy and CPT coding for rotator cuff repairs to improve coding accuracy. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
ICD-10-CM and CPT coding for glaucoma and retinal detachment requires a detailed understanding of coding guidelines as well as ocular anatomy and terminology. Explore the anatomy of the eye and review coding guidance for conditions that affect our view of the outside world. Note : To access this article, you must first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
This second article in a series reviews common procedures used to isolate back pain and reduce inflammation including nerve block injections, facet joint injections, and facet denervation. CPT coding for these procedures is complex and requires a detailed understanding of spinal anatomy and terminology as well as coding guidelines. Note : To access this article, you must first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not easily diagnosed and brings added risk factors to pregnancy oversight. Lori-Lynne Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, CDIP, COBGC, reviews ICD-10-CM coding for hypertension during pregnancy and related complications.
Coding for pain management requires a detailed understanding of medical anatomy and terminology as well as the guidelines for reporting complex surgical procedures. Review ICD-10-CM coding for chronic and acute pain diagnoses and CPT coding for trigger point, joint, and epidural steroid injections. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a genetic disease that could be misdiagnosed due to its rarity. Yvette DeVay, MHA, CPC, CPMA, CIC, CPC-I , reviews symptoms, procedural treatments, and ICD-10-CM coding for the condition.
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.
Pelvic congestion syndrome is a chronic medical condition affecting millions of women between the ages of 20 and 45. Lori-Lynne Webb CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, ICD-10-CM/PCS , reviews symptoms of the condition and reporting using CPT and ICD-10-CM codes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yvette M. DeVay, MHA, CPC, CPMA, CIC, CPC-I , reviews the anatomy of the brain and details treatments and surgeries associated with the brain and how to report them in ICD-10-CM/PCS.
Stress urinary incontinence is a common problem induced by minor physical stressors such as laughing, coughing, or sneezing. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC , writes about CPT coding for procedures such as sling operations and laparoscopies, used to treat urinary stress incontinence.
Even experienced coding professionals find injection and infusion coding confusing because CPT guidelines for these services differ from the guidelines for most other services. Review the drug administration hierarchy and guidelines for reporting therapeutic, prophylactic, and diagnostic injections and infusions. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and plays a vital role in protecting the body from injury and illness. This article reviews integumentary anatomy and provides guidance to aid in accurate ICD-10-CM and CPT code assignment for complex integumentary diagnoses and procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Drug abuse is a serious public health issue that affects millions of Americans. Familiarize yourself with diagnosis reporting for substance use disorders to ensure that ICD-10-CM-dependent administrative data accurately captures the social consequences of substance abuse. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
A recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that almost 70% of Americans are considered overweight or obese. This epidemic costs American healthcare systems approximately $190 billion per year in treatment of weight-related conditions.
Approximately 2%-3% of children between the ages of 6 and 12, and 6%-8% of adolescents in the U.S. may have serious depression. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA details common symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescence and provides advice for diagnostic coding of these conditions.
Updates to the 2018 CPT Manual particularly effect coding for cardiovascular and laboratory procedures. Stay-up-to-date with these changes and take time to understand complex procedures to prevent interruptions to claims processing. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Each year, more than 2,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma— an aggressive and deadly type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Debbie Jones CPC, CCA , writes about different types of mesothelioma and how they should be reported in ICD-10-CM.
Coding for respiratory conditions can be challenging, given the structural complexity of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Refresh your knowledge of respiratory anatomy to aid in the accurate reporting of common respiratory diagnoses such as emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
November, a month associated with the pleasure of eating, is also Stomach Cancer Awareness Month. In this article, Yvette M DeVay, MHA, CPC, CPMA, CIC, CPC-I, describes signs and symptoms of stomach cancer, and outlines best practices when assigning diagnostic and procedural codes for this disease.
Review vascular anatomy and terminology in order to aid in accurately assign codes for interventional radiology procedures such as angioplasties, atherectomies, and lower extremity revascularizations. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
In order to accurately code for complex diseases and procedures of the brain, spinal cord, and sense organs, coders need a basic understanding of nervous system functionality. This article provides detailed information on nervous system anatomy and terminology, common brain and nervous system disorders, and recently introduced 2018 ICD-10-CM codes related to nervous system conditions.
Ovarian cysts may develop at any point in a woman's life and frequently occur with other medical diseases. In this article, Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, details best practices when assigning ICD-10-CM/CPT codes for ovarian cyst diagnoses and procedures.
Whether big or small, crooked or straight, the nose is a vital component of the human respiratory system. There will be extra focus on nasal anatomy in 2018, as the CPT® codes for nasal endoscopies were revised. Brush up on nasal anatomy to prepare for reporting these new codes. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
