Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, continues her look at 2017 diagnosis code changes for genitourinary conditions by focusing tips for reporting urinary and male genitourinary diagnoses.
CMS released the 2017 OPPS final rule November 1, implementing site-neutral payment policies required by Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act, adding new comprehensive APCs, and refining several packaging policies.
Providers need to make sure that electronic order templates include all the necessary information to bill correctly and avoid issues during audits. Valerie A. Rinkle, MPA, writes about what must be contained in the order and ICD-10-specific updates providers should consider.
Providers frequently need to treat fractures in the ED, so coders need to be aware of the types of fractures and how to report them using CPT codes. Review types of fractures, treatment, and coding tips for reporting fractures in the ED.
E/M reporting remains challenging for coders and an area of scrutiny for auditors. These challenges can be amplified in the ED, but coders can reduce confusion by reviewing rules for reporting critical care and other components.
Facilities may not yet be using clinical documentation improvement staff to review outpatient records, but the increasing number of value-based payment models and Medicare Advantage patients could make the practice worthwhile, according to Angela Carmichael, MBA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, CRC, and Lena Lizberg, BSN.
Q. Since ICD-10-CM code O24.415 (gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, controlled by oral hypoglycemic drugs) has been added for 2017, do we need to add which specific drug is being used by the patient when reporting the code?
The new ICD-10-CM codes activated October 1 affect nearly every section of the manual. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, writes about codes that impact genitourinary and gynecological diagnoses with tips for reporting them accurately.
CMS released the final rule implementing provisions of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 on October 14, giving providers a timeline and outline of the quality programs and payment models that will replace the Sustainable Growth Rate and other programs.
The 2017 OPPS final rule is scheduled to be released in just a few weeks. Jugna Shah, MPH, writes about what facilities should be preparing for in case some of CMS’ proposals related to off-campus, provider-based departments, packaging, and device-intensive procedures are finalized.
Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, reviews how to report vaccinations for the virus and how coverage policies by differ by carrier. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription. Once you have set up your free registration, you can log in and access this article by clicking here.
Q: We are struggling with how to report the functional status codes that are required when a physical therapist provides therapy services post-operatively. We have a process for doing that for our “regular” therapy patients, but are struggling with how to implement this for the outpatient surgeries.
More than half of the members of Congress have written to CMS to consider changes to its proposals for implementation of Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 regarding off-campus, provider-based departments.
Wound care procedures can be uniquely complicated due to the range of severity in injuries and potential need to incorporate measurements for multiple wounds. Review these coding tips and anatomical details for reporting wound care procedures.
Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, continues her review of the updated 2017 ICD-10-CM guidelines by explaining how changes to sections for laterality and non-provider documentation will impact coders and physicians. Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription. Once you have set up your free registration, you can log in and access this article by clicking here.
Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, delves into chapter-specific guidance included in the updated 2017 ICD-10-CM guidelines, including changes for diabetes, hypertension, pressure ulcers, and more.
As providers prepare for the thousands of new codes and updated guidelines to be implemented October 1, the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee recently met to discuss the next batch of updates to be implemented October 1, 2017.
Q: We have a new pharmacy director and he wants to monitor all separately payable drugs to ensure that we receive appropriate reimbursement. We’re trying to figure out how to do this because the payment is subject to change each quarter. Do you have any suggestions?
Billing correctly for observation hours is a challenge for many organizations. Getting it right requires knowing how to calculate observation hours for each patient, which is far from straightforward. Janet L. Blondo, LCSW-C, MSW, CMAC, ACM, CCM, C-ASWCM, ACSW, writes about how to properly calculate hours and report observation services properly.