In this month’s issue, we explain how to differentiate between ICD-10-PCS root operations excision and resection, review when and how to query physicians, and provide a basic introduction to APR-DRGs. You’ll also find a Q&A with Sherine Koshy, MHA, RHIA, CCS, corporate director of HIM coding for University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia. Robert S. Gold, MD, highlights some additional areas of concern in ICD-10-CM in this month’s Clinically Speaking column.
Brush up on your knowledge of cardiovascular system anatomy as you learn how to code cardiovascular diseases in ICD-10-CM during the live, 90-minute webcast Reduce the Fear of ICD-10-CM...
I really want the t-shirt that says, “I only do what the voices in my head tell me” and its companion shirt, “The voices in my head don’t like you.” Sadly too many people I know might believe it...
Coders may need to have a conversation with physicians about how changes in ICD-10-CM could require additional documentation for mental disorders due to a known physiological condition. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I , AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, compares coding for these conditions in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
Heather Taillon, RHIA, Cheryl Collins, BS, RN , and Andrea Clark, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H , explain the basic rules regarding principal diagnosis selection in general and for neoplasms in particular in ICD-9-CM.
When it comes to coding malnutrition, coders need to see very specific information in the physician documentation. James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP , and Mindy Hamilton, RD, LD, review the clinical factors for malnutrition and how to assign the correct ICD-9-CM codes.
CMS will conduct full end-to-end testing—from submission to remittance advice—with a select sample of providers in July. CMS first announced the decision in MLN Matters® SE1409 and provided additional details during the February 20 webcast, CMS ICD-10 Readiness.
CMS reversed course earlier this week and announced it will conduct end-to-end ICD-10 training with a sample of providers. Previously, CMS had stated it would not conduct any end-to-end testing...
One of the things that drives me crazy about how media, Congress, and the AMA discuss ICD-10 codes is their focus on the External Causes codes. Granted some of those codes are silly or strange or...
Maybe the AMA’s letter did the trick. Or maybe CMS just thought better of its decision not to conduct end-to-end testing prior to ICD-10 implementation. According to MLN Matters® SE1409 , CMS will...
While the 2014 CPT ® Manual features many new combination codes among its hundreds of changes this year, it was also updated to reflect newly recognized technologies and procedures . Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, looks atsome of the changes made in the Radiology and Laboratory sections.
An overwhelming 87% of respondents to a recent survey by Navicure of physician practices said they are at least "somewhat confident" they will be ready for ICD-10 implementation by October 1.
Debbie Mackaman, RHIA, CPCO, and Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CHCAF, CPC-H, CCP, FCS, discuss the purpose of medically unlikely edits (MUEs) and how they are calculated by CMS.
Q: Can we report CPT ® code 32609 (thoracoscopy; with biopsy of pleura) with 32666 (thoracoscopy, surgical; with therapeutic wedge resection, initial unilateral)? We have researched thoroughly and were not able to find a clear answer.
The added specificity of ICD-10 may require coders to learn more about disease processes and terminology in order to code accurately. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, reviews some medical terms coders should know and steps to take to improve communication between providers and coders.
What did you get for Valentine’s Day? Flowers? Chocolate? Mono? It is the kissing disease after all. ICD-9-CM includes only one code for infectious mononucleosis: 075. That code includes glandular...
Poor Paul, he just wanted to take his black Labrador Molly to the vet for her checkup. Instead he ended up needing a doctor. Paul put down a sheet in his truck so Molly wouldn’t have to sit on the...
/*--> */ In its continuing quest to halt ICD-10 implementation, the AMA is touting a new study by Nachimson Advisors that shows much higher costs to physician practices than initially estimated in...
ICD-10-PCS defines devices for coding purposes in a very specific way. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Mark Dominesey, RN, BSN, MBA, CCDS, CDIP, CHTS-CP, explain how to assign the correct device character in ICD-10-PCS.