Ruth and Gary thought it would be great fun to give their nieces Amanda and Rachel some peeps for Easter. Amanda and Rachel thought they were getting marshmallow treats (so did their parents) so it...
No joke this time. We have six months left until ICD-10 implementation. That’s a good news/bad news proposition. The good news is that all of the hard work we’ve put into training and implementation...
In this month’s issue, we review some key CCs and MCCs, provide a high-level overview of PSI 90, and discuss how coding aftercare will change in ICD-10-CM, Robert S. Gold, MD, discusses hypertension in its various forms.
Even through ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS are currently under a code freeze, c oders and CDI specialists still need to pay attention to what conditions are considered CCs and MCCs, as well as sequencing rules which could affect MS-DRGs.
Patient Safety Indicator 90 evaluates hospital performance for defined in-hospital complications and adverse events. Find out more about how clinical documentation and coding can affect this measure in the first of a four-part series.
Each year, the AMA updates the Vaccines, Toxoids section of the Medicine chapter in the CPT ® Manual to add or revise descriptions of newly available products. In 2015, the AMA added two new product codes (90651, 90630) and revised four (90654, 90721, 90723, and 90734).
Mental health disorders are common in the United States, with an estimated 19% of Americans 18 or older suffering from a diagnosable mental disorder, according to a 2012 survey from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
One of the great things about healthcare and medicine is you can always learn something new. Today’s odd but true condition is exploding head syndrome. (I love the Internet.) If you have ever...
Jeff went on vacation to Hawaii three weeks ago to enjoy some sun, sand, and surfing. He came back with some cool photos and a broken ankle. Apparently, the parking lot at the beach did him in even...
The physician documented “encephalopathy” in the progress note of a patient who was admitted with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and/or possible seizures. James S. Kennedy , MD, CCS, CDIP, discusses what to consider when determining whether to code the encephalopathy.
A complication basically refers to an unexpected result, outcome, or event. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, CCDS, CDIP, and Trey La Charité, MD , detail when to report a complication and highlight the differences in complication coding between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
CMS Transmittal 3217 , effective April 1, will allow inpatient-only procedures to be included on inpatient claims, similar to other outpatient services included in the three-day window.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a minimally invasive procedure to open up blocked coronary arteries. Laura Legg, RHIT, CCS, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, Mary H. Stanfill, MBI, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, and Sara Clark, RHIA, MLS, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, explain how coders will report PTCA in ICD-10-PCS.
Poor Wendy. Shortly before Christmas, she stubbed her toe, really hard. However, no bruise appeared and her toe didn’t swell up, so she thought nothing of it. Three weeks later, she stretched her...
