The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting now include guidelines for coding methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), so let’s look at how to code MRSA. The physician...
The Rh factor of positive and negative can lead to problems between a mother and the developing fetus, a condition known as mother-fetus incompatibility. In some cases, the mother must receive the Rho(D) immune globulin. Lori-Lynne A, Webb, COBGC, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA , explains the diagnostic and procedure coding options for Rho(D) immune globulin.
In coding, sometimes it really is brain surgery and coders need a strong understanding of the anatomy of the skull and brain in order to correctly report diagnoses and procedures. Cynthia Stewart, CPC, CPMA, CPC-H, CPC-I, discusses the anatomy of the brain and skull and guides coders through some brain surgery procedures.
QUESTION: I've always coded labile hypertension with ICD-9-CM code 401.9 (unspecified essential hypertension) because I couldn't find a more specific one. My supervisor stated that I must use ICD-9-CM code 796.2 (elevated blood pressure reading without diagnosis of hypertension) because it means the patient's blood pressure was high without a history of hypertension. The physician's diagnosis is labile hypertension. What code would you use?
An absence of start and stop times is one of the more frequent challenges that coders face when reporting injections and infusions. Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, and Jugna Shah, MPH, highlight some other challenges to help coders determine how to code for injections and infusions.
ICD-10-CM includes some specific guidelines to help coders decide when to code for a current malignancy or a personal history of malignancy. The physician excises a primary malignancy but the patient...
Summer means sand and sun for many people, but a day at the beach can result in a visit to the Fix ‘Em Up Clinic. Danielle hit the beach, but forgot her sunscreen. As a result, she ended up with a...
A lot of learning is ahead for coders and others who will need to learn how to code in ICD-10. There are changes all around, and OB coding is no exception. Lori-Lynne A, Webb, COBGC, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, explains coding for OB ultrasounds, amniocentesis, MRIs, and other procedures in CPT ® , ICD-9, and ICD-10
Many HIM directors and coding managers are aware of the decrease in productivity that is anticipated with the implementation of ICD-10. The concern is a valid one, according to Rose T. Dunn, MBA, RHIA, CPA, FACHE, FHFMA, who explains what’s ahead and how HIM professionals should prepare.
CMS has issued both a National Coverage Determination (NCD) Transmittal 143 and Medicare Claims Processing Transmittal 2473 on the coverage of extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in certain circumstances under clinical research studies.
QUESTION: Do you predict coder productivity will decline as a result of ICD-10? If so, what do you think the declines will be six months after implementation?
By now, you may have heard that the ICD-10-CM codes are more specific than those used in the ICD-9-CM system, and fracture coding is one of the areas undergoing the most changes. Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CPC-I, CCDS, discusses fracture coding in ICD-10 and some of the expected documentation challenges associated them.
Some ICD-10-PCS root operations encompass a wide range of procedures. Think biopsy, excision, and extraction. Others cover a much smaller range of possible procedures, including fusion. Coders will...
A patient comes in for a face lift or another cosmetic procedure. What root operation should you code the procedure to in ICD-10-PCS? The answer: alteration (third character 0). The goal of an...
Learn about the FY 2013 IPPS proposed rule, MAC prepayment reviews, tips for coding sepsis and SIRS, inpatient wound care coding challenges, acute respiratory failure CC/MCC status, and the importance of continuing ICD-10 preparations.
Facilities can't bill for skin substitutes unless they also bill for a skin substitute application procedure on the same date, according to the April update to the I/OCE. If facilities don't comply with this practice, they won't receive payment for the skin substitute. The April update includes a list of eight procedure codes (CPT codes 15271-15278) and 27 specific skin graft materials.
In this month's issue, we clear up confusion surrounding injections and infusions coding, provide an anatomy refresher for the skull, detail changes to the I/OCE for April, discuss the proposed implementation delay for ICD-10, and answer your coding questions.
