Comprehensive APCs (C-APC) have added another complication to coding and billing for outpatient services. Valerie A. Rinkle, MPA, writes about recent changes that could impact the reporting of physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services provided in support of or adjunctive to a C-APC.
In addition to laterality modifiers for right and left (-RT and –LT, respectively), coders can also report bilateral procedures with modifier -50. Susan E. Garrison, CHCA, CHCAS, CCS-P, CHC, PCS, FCS, CPAR, CPC, CPC-H, analyzes the guidelines for these modifiers and offers tips on how and when to report them.
Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, looks at the different types of bariatric surgical procedures and documentation details providers may include for them. She also reviews which CPT codes can be used to report these procedures
ICD-10-CM has brought codes to more specifically report obesity and related conditions. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, describes these codes and when to report them, while also taking a look at operative reports for bariatric surgeries.
Anatomical CPT modifiers aren’t used just to distinguish laterality. Susan E. Garrison, CHCA, CHCAS, CCS-P, CHC, PCS, FCS, CPAR, CPC, CPC-H, reviews how to report modifiers –LC, -LD, -LM, -RC, and –RI for percutaneous coronary interventions.
Coders can choose from a variety of anatomic modifiers to report procedures performed on specific toes. Review how to properly apply these modifiers and which codes they cannot be reported with.
Modifier –GA isn’t the only modifier available to report how services may relate to Medicare coverage policies in hospitals. Learn more about how to properly report modifiers –GX, -GY, and -GZ.
CMS’ coding modifiers are not always used to report clinical components of a service. Sometimes they can be used in a hospital to provide information about how a service relates to Medicare coverage policies.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
