ICD-10-CM/PCS incorporates laterality, acuity, anatomical specificity, and a slew of additional combination and complication codes. Who will submit queries when this information is missing in a medical record? Will coders or clinical documentation improvement specialists take on this role? Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, CCDS, CDI-P, and Mary H. Stanfill, MBI, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, offer suggestions for determining who will submit queries.
Providers will continue to use the same definition of inpatient status that they already know. That’s because despite CMS’ consideration of various provider comments, the agency has not establish new criteria.
Penny arrived at the Stitch ‘Em Up Hospital with a benign growth on her thyroid gland (ICD-10-CM code D35). The growth isn’t causing any functional problems, so we don’t need to report any additional...
Misusing modifier -25 (significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service) can be an expensive proposition. Just ask Georgia Cancer Specialists I, a leading oncology practice in Atlanta.
Robert S. Gold, MD, gives coding guidance on primary cardiomyopathy, SIRS, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and conditions during the perinatal period.
In this month's issue, we review correct use of modifier -25, walk through observation case studies, discuss the pros and cons of dual coding in preparation for ICD-10, review the supervision decisions of the Hospital Outpatient Payment Panel and CMS, and answer your coding questions.
Our coding experts answer your questions about observation orders, sequencing additional diagnoses, coding for wound care with no-cost skin substitute, and reporting cardiac rehabilitation and physical therapy together.
The Hospital Outpatient Payment Panel recommended CMS change the supervision requirements for 15 HCPCS and CPT codes during its second meeting this year in August. CMS released details of the meeting September 24.
Most of the odd ICD-10-CM codes, the ones that make us laugh or roll our eyes, live in Chapter 20 (External causes of mortality). Here you will find such gems as: X32, exposure to sunlight (which...
When coding for neoplasms in ICD-10-CM, coders will notice some differences in clinical documentation and sequencing. ICD-10-CM and ICD-9-CM coding for neoplams share some similarities, but ICD-10-CM...
When I first heard that the American Medical Association (AMA) is still fighting against ICD-10 implementation, I thought, “Seriously?” and rolled my eyes. In case you haven’t heard, the AMA’s House...
External cause codes in ICD-10-CM are intended to provide data for injury research and evaluation of injury prevention strategies. Some are humorous and some are confusing. Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, CENTC, explains how and when to use these codes.
If you’re worried about getting your physicians trained for ICD-10, you’re not alone. Thea Campbell, MBA, RHIA, Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, Donna Smith, RHIA, and Sue Belley , MEd, RHIA, CPHQ, offer tips and strategies to educate physicians about the new code sets.
