Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, writes about terminology coders will encounter in documentation for Pap tests and other cervical cancer screening report
CMS allows, and sometimes requires, providers to report certain modifiers in order to identify when a service has been provided by different types of therapists. Review the requirements for reporting modifiers –GN, -GO, -GP, and –KX.
Jugna Shah, MPH, looks at CMS’ new proposal to implement a new drug payment model for certain providers and how they can comment in order to the agency about its impact on their facilities.
Providers need to keep more in mind than just diagnosis and procedure coding when performing sterilizations for men and women. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, reviews the requirements for sterilizations and the part coders can play in avoiding denials.
The Zika virus has become a major concern over the last couple months and new information about treatment and symptoms seems to emerge daily. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, writes about the latest information regarding the Zika virus and how coders can report it.
Drug administration services follow a hierarchy for reporting, but coding can become complex when providers administer multiple drugs. Review these tips to help tackle tough injection and infusion scenarios.
Specialty groups are often able to move faster on creating guidelines for new procedures and codes than other ruling bodies. But sometimes this guidance can create conflicts between physician and facility coders. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, writes about how to avoid these scenarios and come to the best resolution for providers, payers, and patients.
CPT codes for drug administration follow a hierarchy that is unique to those procedures. Review the hierarchy in order to understand how to apply codes for any type of scenario.
Accurate coding and billing data is important for both providers and CMS. Jugna Shah, MPH, writes about challenges providers have faced with providing that data to CMS and what the agency can do to ease provider burden.
Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Peggy Blue, MPH, CPC, CEMC, CCS-P, explain when to report the new codes introduced in the 2016 CPT Manual for genitourinary procedures.
Post-traumatic stress disorder isn’t only reported for military personnel. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, writes about when PTSD may be reported and which diagnosis and procedures codes should be included.
The AMA introduced new CPT codes for 2016 to report intracranial therapeutic interventions. Stacie L. Buck, RHIA, CCS-P, CIRCC, RCC, reviews the changes and provides examples on how to use them in a variety of procedures.
Hospital coders can choose multiple modifiers to apply to a procedure code if the service was discontinued. Susan E. Garrison, CHCA, CHCAS, CCS-P, CHC, PCS, FCS, CPAR, CPC, CPC-H, provides an overview of these codes and in which instances to use them.
Q: What can we report for the physician if circumcision is done during delivery? Do we bill that on a separate claim for the infant? Is this a covered procedure?
Modifier -52 is used to report procedures that are partially reduced or eliminated at the provider’s discretion. Susan E. Garrison, CHCA, CHCAS, CCS-P, CHC, PCS, FCS, CPAR, CPC, CPC-H, looks at how the modifier should be applied in hospitals and tips for compliance.
Perhaps recognizing the massive undertaking for coding and HIM departments in 2015 with the implementation of ICD-10, the latest CPT® update includes a relatively small 367 changes for 2016. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Peggy Blue, MPH, CPC, CEMC, CCS-P, review updates to the digestive system and E/M codes.
Nearly half a million patients receive dialysis services each year. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I, writes about the ICD-10-CM and CPT® codes providers will need to know in order to report these services accurately.
In addition to updated procedure codes in 2015, ICD-10-CM added new codes for reporting mammography and breast MRIs and ultrasounds. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, CDIP, COBGC, writes about how to identify which codes to use to meet Medicare requirements and where third-party payer requirements may diverge.
Providers have to create their own ED E/M guidelines, which can present a variety of challenges for facilities. For coders, this means an understanding of how to calculate critical care and other factors in order to report the correct visit level.
Physician office coders are likely familiar with coding for x-ray procedures, but may not have much experience coding ultrasound. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, CDIP, COBGC, and ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, reviews how ultrasound procedure codes are categorized and offers tips on reporting them in office settings.
