While many of the code changes in the 2014 CPT® Manual surgical sections involve bundling together common procedures, the major changes in the Radiology and Laboratory sections involve updates for newly recognized technologies and drugs.
Editor's note: With the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM coding, coders need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. To help coders prepare for the upcoming transition, we will provide an occasional article about specific anatomical locations and body parts as part of a larger series for ICD-10-CM preparation. This month's column addresses the anatomy of the thigh.
Our experts answer questions on payment rates for scans, bronchodilator treatment, the inpatient-only list, stereotactic radiosurgery, bill exposure with arthrodesis, and more.
Coding Clinic's Third and Fourth Quarter 2013 issues focus considerable attention on ICD-10-PCS procedure coding. On p. 18, Coding Clinic Third Quarter 2013 states that the coding of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) depends on the end placement of the PICC line?that is, where the device ends up.
In an ideal world, all coders and CDI specialists would get along well and work together with minimal conflict. No one is going to agree all of the time, nor should they. A healthy, respectful dialogue can lead to a better understanding of the patient's clinical condition and result in more accurately coded records.
In this month's issue, we look at the impact of the January 2014 I/OCE update, review thigh anatomy and fracture coding in preparation for ICD-10, examine a CMS request for specialty payment models, give an update on 2014 CPT ® changes for new drugs and technologies, and answer your coding questions.
The Senate passed HR 4302 designed to patch the Sustainable Growth Rate that included a provision to delay ICD-10 implementation until at least October 1, 2015. The bill, approved by the House in a...
The fate of the October 1, 2014 ICD-10 implementation date will remain in limbo until Monday. The House of Representatives passed HR 4302 Thursday as a one-year fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate (...
The House of Representatives passed HR 4302 today using a controversial surprise voice vote, bringing another ICD-10 delay closer to reality. HR 4302 focuses on patching the Sustainable Growth Rate (...
CMS may be committed to an ICD-10 implementation date of October 1, 2014, but Congress may think otherwise. House of Representatives bill H.R. 4015 is designed to patch the Sustainable Growth Rate...
Some of the most significant changes in cardiovascular coding in ICD-10-CM involve coding for myocardial infarctions (MI). Laura Legg, RHIT, CCS , and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, review new guidelines and specificity involved in ICD-10-CM MI coding.
CMS posted updated versions of all the guidance documents posted on the Inpatient Hospital Review site. The agency also posted a new document reviewing the status of the probe and educate audits, including examples of some of the errors the MACs have found in audits thus far.
Coders may struggle to differentiate between ICD-10-PCS root operations Excision and Resection. Nena Scott, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, and Mark Dominesey, RN, BSN, MBA, CCDS, CDIP, illustrate the details that will help coders arrive at the correct root operation.
ICD-10-CM provides many more combination codes for drug- and alcohol-related diagnoses than ICD-9-CM. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, explains how this could actually result in less work for coders.
Sometimes a surgeon must take drastic action and amputate a patient’s upper or lower extremity. For these cases, we would use ICD-10-PCS root operation Detachment (third character 6). ICD-10-PCS...
Map (third character K) is a very narrowly defined ICD-10-PCS root operation. By definition, Map procedures are used to locate the route of passage of electrical impulses and/or locate functional...
