Coders may be familiar with the term "fetal distress" in physician documentation, but its lack of specificity can limit code selection. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, CDIP, COBGC, explains what coders can look for in documentation to report the most accurate ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CMfetal status codes.
The musculoskeletal and nervous system sections of the 2015 CPT Manual include dozens of new and revised codes to accommodate the latest technologies and procedures. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Peggy Blue, MPH, CPC, CCS-P, CEMC, review the codes and highlight important instructional notes in the guidelines.
Physician coders won't be able to just report the CPT ® code that best describes the procedure for some digestive system services in 2015. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Raemarie Jimenez, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CANPC, CRHC, explain why some payers, including CMS, may require new G codes for certain procedures and how the G codes map to related CPT codes.
CPT ® codes in 2015 for cardiovascular procedures include the ability to report several new technologies and procedures. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Raemarie Jimenez, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CANPC, CRHC, explain the procedures and what coders will need to look for in documentation to select the correct code.
Debbie Mackaman, RHIA, CPCO, CCDS, discusses modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) use, including the latest guidance from CMS on the four new, more specific replacements—and how more guidance is needed before providers can feel comfortable using them.
The AMA added a new CPT ® code for chronic care management. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, CDIP, COBGC, writes about the time and documentation requirements for reporting this service.
After years of consideration, CMS introduced extensive changes for modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) for 2015. Jugna Shah, MPH , explains these changes and when to use the new modifiers instead of modifier -59.
Steven Espinosa , CCS , AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, and Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, outline the anatomy of the upper gastrointestinal system and how anatomical details, along with the provider's approach and intent, help determine the proper procedure code.
Coding for endovascular revascularization requires following a unique hierarchy and specific guidelines. Caren J. Swartz, CPC-I, CPC-H, CPMA, CPB , and Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H , look at the anatomy of the lower body and the necessary documentation to report these services.
Evaluation and management services continue to be a major target for auditors. In the second part of a series, Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, writes about frequently targeted areas providers can review in order to protect against audits.
Evaluation and management (E/M) services are one of the top areas of review by federal auditors. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC , writes about common errors found in audits and how providers can take steps to correct them.
Coding for arthroplasty can be challenging due to the multiple types of procedures and lack of specific CPT ® codes for many of them. Ruby O'Brochta-Woodward, BSN, CPC, COSC, CSFAC, and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, explain what to look for in documentation to report the correct codes.
Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I , examines common orthotic procedures, including fracture reduction, total knee replacement, and total hip replacement, to determine how to choose the correct CPT ® code and key terms that should be documented.
Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CHCAF, CPC-H, CCP, FCS , and Susan E. Garrison, CHCA, CHCAS, PCS, FCS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, CHC, CPAR, examine a pair of case studies to determine whether the right codes were applied and whether it's appropriate to append a modifier.
Guidance for coding OB delivery lacerations sometimes differs between the CPT ® Manual and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC , explains the difference in guidance and documentation necessary to report tears to the proper degree.
As the role of radiologists has expanded to new procedures, so have the codes to report their work in the CPT ® Manual . Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, writes about key terms for coders to look for in documentation to correctly report these procedures.
Some facilities plan to use both CPT ® and ICD-10-PCS to code procedures after implementation. Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, and Angie Comfort, RHIT, CDIP, CCS, discuss the advantages and challenges of this strategy, and how to implement it.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is only covered for certain diagnoses after extensive prequalification. Gloria Miller, CPC, CPMA, reviews how HBO therapy can be used for wound care, as well as 2014 changes for wound care clinics.
While the 2014 CPT ® Manual features many new combination codes among its hundreds of changes this year, it was also updated to reflect newly recognized technologies and procedures . Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, looks atsome of the changes made in the Radiology and Laboratory sections.
