Jorde Spitler, RN, CDI manager at Dayton Children’s Hospital, describes key considerations for documentation review, querying, and ICD-10-CM coding in a pediatric acute care setting.
Findings from a recent medical record review published by JAMA Network Open show that physical assaults are often miscoded as accidents. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I , breaks down ICD-10-CM coding for specific details about an injury or health event.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020 with 152,657 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read up on ICD-10-CM coding for different types of COPD including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
This article outlines kidney anatomy, explains percutaneous nephrolithotomy and pyelolithotomy procedures, highlights relevant CPT guidance, and includes insight from experts. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Tonya Moton, RHIA, CCS, defines social determinants of health coding, explains the challenges of reporting these factors, and outlines how coders and providers can work together to create a positive impact in at-risk communities.
The 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule finalized major documentation and coding changes. This article summarizes new guidance for reporting E/M and telehealth services and a significant cut to physician payments.
Q: What are the differences between remote therapeutic monitoring and remote physiologic monitoring and what details should we look for in documentation to report these services with CPT codes?
CMS recently published an FAQ document on the use of drug waste modifiers. The resource addresses how the modifiers affect Medicare policy, to which products they can be appended, billing concerns, and more.
Adhere to ICD-10-PCS guidance for reporting multiple procedures and procedural components when coding for wound debridement and skin grafting. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Q: What ICD-10-PCS codes would be used to report Stage 1 of a metatarsal resection involving Excision of nonviable tissue for diagnostic purposes and partial detachment of the fifth metatarsal?
Robotic and computer-assisted surgical procedures are still considered new technology despite having been used in the U.S. for many years. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBG , unpacks ICD-10-PCS coding for surgeries performed using specialized software and robotic technology.
Laura Roberts, BSN, RN, CCDS , describes how to perform internal reviews that target Patient Safety Indicators, hospital-acquired conditions, and other quality indicators.
The end of the public health emergency (PHE) will bring the expiration of many Medicare waivers issued since 2020. Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM, CHRI, explains how facilities can maintain their compliance in this new era.
Remote therapeutic monitoring is one of the latest services to enter the virtual landscape since the COVID-19 public health emergency began. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA, defines the services and reviews CPT guidance for reporting them.
This article outlines when and how to report new and revised 2023 CPT codes for arthroplasty and arthrodesis procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The CPT Editorial Panel released 20 new Category III CPT codes. These new codes, along with two revisions, are mainly for cardiovascular procedures and take effect July 1.
Q: When is it permissible under Medicare to assign CPT add-on code 37186 for a secondary thrombectomy when an atherectomy is performed in the same vascular territory?
CMS developed the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) to control improper coding and potentially inappropriate payment of Part B services. Review NCCI basics to ensure compliance with the latest coding policies.
Robotic and computer-assisted surgical procedures are still considered new technology despite having been used in the U.S. for many years. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBG , unpacks ICD-10-PCS coding for surgeries performed using specialized software and robotic technology.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released its annual report detailing its list of top unimplemented recommendations for 2022. The agency recommends that CMS increase scrutiny of inpatient hospital claims for severe malnutrition and other diagnoses that are vulnerable to upcoding.
Coding and CDI professionals should understand disease processes for common inpatient diagnoses. Ronald Singell, RN, BSN, CCDS , writes about clinical indicators of disease for diabetic ketoacidosis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and sequential organ failure.
Pneumonia is a common infection of the lungs that can be life-threatening. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I , breaks down ICD-10-CM/PCS coding for this infectious disease and its treatment.
Obesity has grown into a global epidemic with significant social and economic consequences. Review ICD-10-CM coding for obesity and other weight-related conditions, and ICD-10-PCS coding for surgical interventions used to maintain a healthy weight.
There is no single query format every organization uses. Though guidelines exist, each CDI program and its leaders must ultimately determine how to maintain compliance.
Obesity has grown into a global epidemic with significant social and economic consequences. Review ICD-10-CM coding for obesity and other weight-related conditions, and ICD-10-PCS coding for surgical interventions used to maintain a healthy weight. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Alysia Minott, CIRCC, CCS, CDIP, explains that CPT coding for complex procedures performed using interventional radiology (IR) can be mastered; the first step is learning how to interpret applicable coding guidelines.
With reimbursement gains whittled down by CMS' attempt to remedy unlawful cuts to 340B drug payments, complying with updated Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) policies is key to protecting reimbursement. Take a closer look at CMS' latest policies and ensure your organization is in compliance.
The American Medical Association's update to the 2023 CPT code set has brought three code additions, one revision, and one deletion to the integumentary chapter (CPT codes 10030-19499). This article provides procedure descriptions and coding guidance for the new and revised codes. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The new batch of diagnosis codes and revised guidelines for social determinants of health (SDOH) that will go into effect April 1 highlight the importance policymakers place on collecting this data. Julia Kyles, CPC, provides tips for capturing the SDOH using these new codes.
Alysia Minott, CIRCC, CCS, CDIP, explains that CPT coding for complex procedures performed using interventional radiology (IR) can be mastered; the first step is learning how to interpret applicable coding guidelines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics published updates to the ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and files, which take effect April 1. The updates include 42 new diagnosis codes, seven deletions, and one revision.
Stacy Reck, MBA, RHIA, CDIP , and Ashley Wells, MN, RN, CMSRN, CCDS , describe common reasons for clinical validity denials and strategies they use to defend against them. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
If a urinary tract infection is left untreated, it can spread to other organs and cause sepsis and septic shock. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC , breaks down ICD-10-CM coding for this life-threatening diagnosis.
Auditors see assignment of certain MS-DRGs as a red flag and most often will pull these encounters for review. Laurie Prescott, RN, MSN, CCDS, CCDS-O, CDIP, CRC , describes these MS-DRGs and offers advice for ensuring accurate reporting of a principal diagnosis.
A retrospective medical record review published in JAMA Network Open in December found that nearly one-third of intentional firearm injuries resulting in emergency department admissions were inaccurately coded in ICD-10-CM as accidents.
Coders can reinforce their understanding of the 2023 CPT E/M medical decision-making (MDM) requirements with tips from Peter Hollman, MD , who oversaw the changes.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial disease that affects the bladder and urethra. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, reviews urinary anatomy as well as diagnostic considerations and ICD-10-CM coding for UTIs.
CMS recently released Transmittal 11737, detailing January 2023 updates to the OPPS. The transmittal offers information on new COVID-19 vaccine and administration codes, dental coding updates, coding clarification, and remote behavioral health service codes.
The 2023 CPT code update introduced numerous code additions, revisions, and deletions that took effect January 1. This article covers new and revised codes in the respiratory and nervous system chapters of the CPT Manual. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
CMS recently released Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 11685 revising language to make three revenue codes for inpatient hospital services allowable for payment under Medicare Part B and adding COVID-19 to its list of preventive services.
Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS , outlines benefits that come with being a physician advisor and how coding and CDI professionals can reiterate these to physicians who are interested in taking on this role.
Review key policy updates introduced in the 2023 IPPS final rule, including an increase in operating payments, changes to New Technology Add-on Payment designations, MS-DRG updates, and introduction of a birthing-friendly hospital designation. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.