Q: Would it be appropriate to query the provider for clarification if documentation for an orbital fracture doesn’t specify the location of the fracture and whether it is open or closed?
If payment updates in the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule are finalized, they will significantly impact physician reimbursement for x-ray and E/M CPT codes, among others. Review payment proposals and the specialties that would see the greatest impact.
Q: We have a diabetic patient with chronic kidney disease and hypertension who was admitted for treatment of chronic kidney disease (an Insertion of an arteriovenous graft for dialysis). Which ICD-10-CM code should be sequenced as the principal diagnosis?
In August, U.S. District Judge David Ezra in Texas dismissed a case against Baylor Scott & White Health that alleged the organization falsely billed for millions in false claims for Medicare reimbursement.
Valerie A. Rinkle, MPA, CHRI , reviews the fiscal year (FY) 2020 IPPS final rule and highlights key financial implications for hospitals including wage index changes, new technology updates, and more.
Peggy S. Blue, MPH, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC , writes that the prevalence and complexity of prostate cancer is why it is so important for even inpatient coders to fully understand the diagnostic, treatment, and procedural aspects of this disease.
ICD-10-CM/PCS coding for heart conditions such as aortic valve stenosis, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation requires an in-depth understanding of anatomical terminology and clinical indications. This article will review these three diagnoses to help ensure accurate reporting and reimbursement. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Since we have already covered an overview of the final rule and the updates to the ICD-10-CM/PCS code set, for this BCCS article, let’s take a look at some of the key financial updates that hospitals should be aware of.
According to the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (2018), “The clinical definition of myocardial infarction denotes the presence of acute myocardial injury detected by abnormal cardiac biomarkers in the setting of evidence of acute myocardial ischemia.”
While it is essential to receive continuing education on ICD-10-CM/PCS code selection, it is also important to stay current with payment system changes and industry news. What are the regulatory changes that will affect inpatient coders in fiscal year (FY) 2020?
CMS released the fiscal year (FY) 2020 IPPS final rule on August 2, increasing inpatient operating payment rates by 3.1%, significantly altering rural health payments, expediting opportunities to pay for new technologies, and updating CCs, MCCs, and MS-DRGs. These policy updates affect approximately 3,300 acute care hospitals and apply to discharges occurring on and after October 1.
Your heart may flutter when you’re nervous, but if this happens on a regular basis, it could be a sign of a serious heart condition. Atrial fibrillation (AF), a common and potentially fatal cardiovascular condition, is an irregular heartrate that can cause blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related complications.
Perhaps the most momentous Quality Payment Program (QPP) news in the proposed 2020 Medicare physician fee schedule is the Pathways (MVP) version of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) — but that’s not happening until 2021.
While the calendar year 2020 OPPS proposed rule is shorter than in prior years (819 pages for the display version), the proposed policies therein pack a punch and may be thought of as a new day dawning for the future of hospital services.
Evolving diagnostic terminology and a general lack of awareness surrounding gender fluidity can cause confusion for healthcare providers and coders. Review key considerations for the ICD-10-CM reporting of biological sex, gender identity, and other gender-related diagnoses. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
In response to a formal request for information from industry stakeholders, CMS received 567 comments on ways to improve its Patients Over Paperwork Initiative, including many requests from hospital groups to simplify billing and prior approval requirements.
