To correctly code for radiation oncology services, coders need to understand the various elements of the treatment. Rebecca Vandiver, CPC, CPC-I, and Chandra Stephenson, CPC, CPC-H, CPMA, CPC-I, CANPC, CEMC, CFPC, CGSC, CIMC, COSC, analyze these complex services from a coding perspective.
Radiation oncology uses high-energy radiation to shrink or kill tumors or cancer cells with minimal harmful effects to healthy surrounding cells. To correctly code for radiation oncology services, coders need to understand the various elements of the treatment.
Anesthesia coding in some ways is similar to evaluation and management coding—only easier. Chandra Stephenson, CPC, CPC-H, CPMA, CPC-I, CANPC, CEMC, CFPC, CGSC, CIMC, COSC, explained the 10 steps to coding anesthesia during the AAPC National Conference in Orlando, Fla., April 14-17.
The AMA revised the molecular pathology codes in the CPT ® Manual in 2012, but at that time CMS did not adopt the codes as it was still debating whether and how to change the reimbursement system for these services going forward. For CY 2013, CMS elected to recognize the codes, which meant it had to finalize how to pay for them. While CMS did not change pamyent for these services under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) despite industry pressure, its change to the new codes means a change in the payments providers can expect this year and in the future.
At first glance, the new CPT ® codes for reporting molecular pathology services might seem simple. They certainly look easier than the old stacking codes that focused on methodology and processes, resulting in multiple codes and quantities being used to report a single test. Jugna Shah, MPH, and Michelle L. Ruben, detail some of the nuances of correct code assignment for molecular pathology tests.
Breast biopsies should be easy to code because coders have so few codes to assign, but it is one area where documentation is lacking. Stacie L. Buck, RHIA, CCS-P, RCC, CIC, reveals what key elements coders should look for in a breast biopsy note.
With no national guidelines in place for facilities to use to determine evaluation and management (E/M) level, coders must apply their facility’s guidelines when coding an outpatient visit. Caral Edelberg, CPC, CPMA, CAC, CCS-P, CHC, and Joanne M. Becker, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, use three ED case studies to highlight potential pitfalls for ED E/M leveling.
Editor's note: Facilities need to address coding, payment, and coverage issues for molecular pathology. This article is the first in a series and discusses molecular pathology coding.
Evaluation and management (E/M) coding is incredibly subjective. Two coders can look at the same documentation and choose two different E/M levels and both will be able to justify their choice. Caral Edelberg, CPC, CPMA, CAC, CCS-P, CHC, AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer , Lori Owens, RHIT, CCS, and Deborah Robb, BSHA, CPC, discuss how electronic medical records can complicate E/M coding even more.
The AMA added five new nuclear medicine codes to the radiology section of the 2013 CPT Manual , while revising and deleting a number of codes that represented outdated technology or were bundled into placement procedures.
Genetic screening is often used to detect abnormal genes or possible fetal anomalies during antepartum care. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, reviews some of the most common genetic tests and what diagnosis codes to report.
Interventional radiology cases are often complex with confusing coding rules, especially for radiologic supervision and interpretation. Stacie L. Buck, RHIA, CCS-P, RCC, CIC, and Karna W. Morrow, CPC, RCC, CCS-P, lead you through the maze of coding these procedures.
One of the major changes to the 2013 CPT ® Manual is the replacement of the term "physician" with "physician or other qualified healthcare professional" in a wide range of codes. Marie Mindeman and Andrea Clark, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H, discuss how this change affects code assignment.
In November 2011, the FDA approved transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat aortic valve stenosis for those patients who are not candidates for traditional open-heart surgery. This procedure is also referred to as a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
One of the major changes to the 2013 CPT Manual is the replacement of the term "physician" with "physician or other qualified healthcare professional" (QHP) in a wide range of codes.
The American Medical Association completely overhauled the CPT ® Manual’s psychiatry subsection for 2013. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, explains the new codes and guidelines associated with psychiatric services.
Coders will find plenty of changes throughout the musculoskeletal, respiratory, and cardiac sections of the CPT® Manual for 2013, as well as guidelines changes, deletions, and editorial revisions. Andrea Clark, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H, Georgeann Edford, RN, MBA, CCS-P, and Marie Mindeman walk through some of the major changes for 2013.
Coders will find significant changes in the medicine section of the 2013 CPT® Manual . Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, and Georgeann Edford, RN, MBA, CCS-P, review the changes to nerve conduction studies, vaccine administration, ophthalmology, and allergy testing.
The AMA added new CPT ® codes to report transcatheter aortic valve replacement for 2013. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, details these and other code changes for cardiology.
