Assigning proper codes plays a role in the integrity of medical records, supports effective communication between healthcare providers, and safeguards a practice against compliance issues. This article discusses some common dermatological conditions and their respective ICD-10-CM codes/categories.
Coding certification can offer valuable benefits across various medical roles, improving accuracy and communication in clinical settings. Hassan Rao, MD, CPC, CCS , explores how coding knowledge can specifically enhance the effectiveness of CDI physician advisors in optimizing documentation and compliance.
Selecting a level of evaluation and management (E/M) service can be based on either the complexity of medical decision-making or the total time spent on the date of the encounter. Providers need to decide which to use. This article covers the pros and cons of both methods.
Assigning proper codes plays a role in the integrity of medical records, supports effective communication between healthcare providers, and safeguards a practice against compliance issues. This article discusses some common dermatological conditions and their respective ICD-10-CM codes/categories.
The changes proposed in the final rule for Medicare’s burgeoning behavioral health category have been finalized, expanding its purview beyond previous therapeutic models and even into digital care engaged by the patients themselves. Review those changes in this article.
Q: Why is modifier -25 (Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service) scrutinized?
A recent OIG audit estimates that Medicare improperly paid $190.1 million for outpatient services provided to hospice enrollees over five years. Learn how the audit was performed and why the payments were improperly made.
Q: An elderly male patient has a rectal fistula with an abscess requiring complex packing of the wound. The most recent wound documentation reports “complex persistent rectal fistula with underlying abscess present, cultures show positive for E. coli and Klebsiella.” The patient will be administered daily IV antibiotics via a PICC line that has been placed. How would this encounter be reported in ICD-10-CM?
An upcoming audit reviewing Medicare inpatient hospital billing for sepsis underscores the critical importance of accurate coding and clinical validation. With guidance from Leigh Poland, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CIC , coders can help prevent costly coding errors, reduce the risk of audits, and ensure hospitals are appropriately reimbursed for the care they provide. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome presents a significant clinical challenge due to its rapid onset, high mortality rate, and complex management. Alba Kuqi, MD, MSHIM, RHIA, CCM, CRCR, CICA, CSMC, CSAF, CCS, CCDS, CDIP , delves into the comprehensive aspects of ARDS to show how coders, alongside healthcare providers and CDI specialists, play an essential role in reporting the complete picture of the condition.
Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS , invites a deeper understanding for diagnosing and documenting acute renal failure and any other related diagnoses—before exploring the plethora of denial strategies medical staff may face. Not to worry as there are opportunities for successful appeals!
A new separate payment is available under the FY 2025 IPPS for small, independent hospitals who choose to establish and maintain access to buffer stocks of essential medicines. Learn why this initiative was created and the potential impacts on future drug shortages.
CMS implemented modifier -FS (Split [or shared] E/M visit) as part of a major revision to its rules for split/shared services on January 1, 2022. This article provides tips for using modifier -FS from top reporters as it approaches its third year of active status. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
The concept of social determinants of health (SDOH) has transformed significantly, advancing from increased awareness to data integration and the development of tools and frameworks. This article explores the importance of integrating SDOH into the healthcare framework and the coding process, as well as best practices for leveraging this data to inform health interventions.
With CMS publishing annual updated versions of its Medicare National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Policy Manual, as well as quarterly updates to the individual NCCI edit files, it is often hard for facilities to keep up with the changes. This article details the latest updates, as well as provides insights on implementing NCCI-associated modifiers and tips for preventing and overriding common edits.
With guidance from three certified medical professionals, CDI specialists and coders can learn how to fight against the overwhelming tide of clinical validation denials by promoting strong documentation, capturing clinical pictures with appropriate codes, and justifying treatment plans.
Review a recent OIG audit which found that Medicare payments for inpatient claims assigned with MS-DRGs 207 and 870 did not fully comply with Medicare requirements, resulting in $79.4 million being improperly paid to hospitals.
Q: Patient presents with a chief complaint of persistent cough for 10 days with occasional mucus. She has a history of chronic asthmatic bronchitis for many years; is quite frail, reporting decline in energy and activity tolerance; was a smoker until about five years ago; and suffers chronic smokers’ cough and centrilobular emphysema. Past medical history includes heart failure, hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension. How would this diagnostic note be reported in ICD-10-CM?
To align subcategories for diagnosis coding with the DSM-5 classification subcategories for feeding and eating disorders, new ICD-10-CM codes were added in the FY 2025 update. Nancy Reading, RN, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I , reviews the clinical criteria for affected disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, pica in adults, and rumination disorder.
Coding professionals are critical to the compliance initiatives of any healthcare organization, and the application of codes to a claim ignites the compliance ember. Discover how key initiatives not only ensure coders act ethically and responsibly but also enhance the accuracy of coding. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
In January 2024, CMS released guidance for the implementation of the office and outpatient evaluation and management visit complexity HCPCS add-on code G2211. Courtney Crozier provides a breakdown of the code, including documentation requirements and appropriate and inappropriate billing scenarios.
Take in the details of the 16 new telemedicine codes for real-time encounters in the CPT 2025 manual while you wait to see whether private payers adopt the services or CMS sways from proposed non-coverage of the codes.
Protect your practice by understanding the code level selection risks that could impact E/M office visit claims. Incorporate the guidance in this article into your compliance plan to make sure they stay on your risk radar.
Alba Kuqi, MD, MSHIM, RHIA, CCM, CRCR, CICA, CSMC, CSAF, CCS, CCDS, CDIP, explores common reasons for sepsis-related denials, offers strategies for effective documentation and coding, and presents approaches to successfully appeal these denials.
Coders are more aligned with CDI specialists than they may realize, as a deeper understanding of coding conventions enhances the accuracy and specificity of documentation. Sydni Johnson, BSN, RN, CCDS , and Suzanne Santellanes, BSN, RN, CCDS , shed light on how the tools of coders play a pivotal role in improving compliance strategies and ensuring the integrity of clinical records.
Our experts answer questions on coding COPD, smokers’ cough, and rectal fistulas in ICD-10-CM as well as provide recommendations for addressing malnutrition denials depending on the diagnosis criteria used (GLIM or ASPEN).
Coding professionals are critical to the compliance initiatives of any healthcare organization, and the application of codes to a claim ignites the compliance ember. Discover how key initiatives not only ensure coders act ethically and responsibly but also enhance the accuracy of coding.
CMS implemented the FY 2025 IPPS final rule on October 1, which introduced several updates to New Technology Add-on Payment designations, directly affecting how inpatient services are coded and reimbursed. Follow Judith Kares, JD , as she reviews NTAP eligibility criteria and payment strategies, alternative pathways for approval, final new technologies, and application process changes. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Denials continue to be a pain point and significant challenge for every hospital across the nation, but Angelica Cage, MBA, BSN, RN, CCDS, CCS, CDIP , provides denial-proofed queries to show how establishing a diagnosis that is strongly supported by the available clinical evidence can reduce or eliminate clinical doubt with respect to the treated condition.
Certain diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) remain vulnerable to audits and denials, not only for DRG and clinical validation, but for medical necessity as well. Kim Conner, BSN, CCDS, CCDS-O , explores areas coding professionals can support when being proactive against these denials.
Review a retrospective cohort study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that found new Alzheimer disease and related dementia diagnoses were more common after falls compared with other forms of traumatic injury.
Medicare patients who qualify for the new preventive service designed to protect them from HIV will be eligible for up to eight counselling and screening services a year, according to a recently released CMS national coverage determination.
Protect your practice by understanding the code level selection risks that could impact E/M office visit claims. Incorporate the guidance in this article into your compliance plan to make sure they stay on your risk radar. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
CMS may have major changes in store for outpatient hospital reimbursement and compliance, according to the 2025 Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule. The proposed rule, released in July, includes potential changes to payment, coding, and billing for hospital outpatient services.
CMS recently announced updates to the January 2025 Integrated Outpatient Code Editor, including new HCPCS codes and changes to a handful of status indicators.
To comply with a summer court order, the FY 2025 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System was revised to reduce payments for low wage hospitals. Review the updated policy to understand why these adjustments were implemented and what hospitals can expect going forward.
Coagulopathy describes the impairment of the blood’s ability to coagulate, leading to prolonged or excessive bleeding that may occur spontaneously or following an injury. Explore the basics of the condition as well as practical tips for accurate ICD-10 coding. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Q: A 65-year-old female has been on Effexor for major depressive disorder for three months and went to her healthcare provider due to tachycardia and palpitations along with mild muscle cramping. It was found that she had accidentally been taking double her prescribed dose due to misunderstanding the instructions. It is reported that she developed serotonin syndrome resulting from toxicity and was also diagnosed with mild hypertension (138/88) due to the serotonin syndrome. How would this encounter be reported in ICD-10-CM?
Coding professionals face challenges when the clinical meanings of words do not match the ICD-10-CM classification system, particularly for records related to matters of the heart. Follow Laurie Prescott, RN, MSN, CCDS, CCDS-O, CDIP, CRC , as she applies critical thinking, knowledge of disease processes, and an understanding of ICD-10-CM codes to accurately report acute MI cases.
Lymphoma diagnosis codes received a robust overhaul with the release of the 2025 ICD-10-CM codes, reflecting advancements in understanding and classifying lymphoma. Accurate coding is crucial for reporting such nuances, and Nancy Reading, RN, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I , is here to update coders on the changes.
In January 2024, CMS released guidance for the implementation of the office and outpatient evaluation and management visit complexity HCPCS add-on code G2211. Courtney Crozier provides a breakdown of the code, including documentation requirements and appropriate and inappropriate billing scenarios.
Q: What codes should a coder consider for a patient diagnosed with an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder)?
