COVID News
As things are quickly changing with COVID-19, we want to keep our health information professionals up to date with the most current resources. Please check back frequently for updates.
Coding Tip Sheet for COVID-19 (FY 2021, Effective 1/1/2021)
Coding Tip Sheet for COVID-19 (FY 2021, Effective 1/1/2021) Publication: Haugen Consulting GroupPublished on October 27, 2020 - Updated on January 1st, 2021 ED Coding Tip Sheet for COVID Effective 1.1.21
COVID-19 Coding Decision Tree
COVID-19 Coding Decision Tree Publication: Haugen Consulting GroupPublished on October 27, 2020 - Updated on January 1st, 2021 Download Tip Sheet 2021_Effective 1.1.21
ICD-10-CM Coding for COVID-19: The Changes Keep Coming
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
If you’ve been keeping up to date on your Coding Clinic subscription and coding guidelines, you know that coding advice for COVID-19 keeps changing. As coders, we know it’s imperative to keep our eyes peeled for new codes, updated guidance, and evolving disease processes, but COVID-19 has taken this to a new level with changing advice on a bimonthly basis. And just in case you are about to stop reading here thinking you are current on COVID, beware: the CDC isn’t done messing with codes related to COVID-19. | Read More.
Understanding 2020’s Unexpected Updates
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released 12 new ICD-10-PCS codes to report the administration of therapeutic substances in the treatment of COVID-19. All these codes are in the New Technology (X) section and allow for reporting of four specific and one nonspecific substance. | Read More.
Trump Administration Issues Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System During COVID-19 Pandemic
Publication: CMS
At President Trump’s direction, and building on its recent historic efforts to help the U.S. healthcare system manage the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued another round of sweeping regulatory waivers and rule changes to deliver expanded care to the nation’s seniors and provide flexibility to the healthcare system as America reopens. These changes include making it easier for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to get tested for COVID-19 and continuing CMS’s efforts to further expand beneficiaries’ access to telehealth services. | Read More.
AHIMA and AHA FAQ on ICD-10-CM Coding for COVID-19
Publication: AHIMA
The following FAQ on ICD-10-CM coding for COVID-19 was jointly developed and approved by the American Hospital Association’s Central Office on ICD-10-CM/PCS and AHIMA. | Read More.
Telehealth Billing During the COVID-19 National Emergency
Publication: MGMA
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released numerous waivers along with new rules for billing professional telehealth services during the public health emergency (PHE) of COVID-19. These changes, currently in place for the duration of the PHE, aim to ensure that patients have access to physicians and other qualified healthcare providers while remaining at home. Continue reading to learn about the types of services available to all Medicare beneficiaries, including telehealth, virtual check-ins and telephone visits, e-visits and remote patient monitoring. | Read More.
AMA announces expedited updates to CPT for COVID-19 antibody tests
Publication: AMA
CHICAGO – The American Medical Association (AMA) announced updates to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) that include two code additions intended to report when patients receive blood tests that detect COVID-19 antibodies. The updates were approved this evening during a special meeting of the CPT Editorial Panel, the independent body convened by the AMA with sole authority to expedite the review of proposed changes and additions to the CPT code set. | Read More.
COVID-19: Expanded Use of Ambulance Origin/Destination Modifiers
Publication: CMS
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will cover a medically necessary emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transportation from any point of origin to a destination that is equipped to treat the condition of the patient consistent with state and local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) protocols where the services will be furnished. On an interim basis, CMS is expanding the list of destinations that may include but are not limited to the following. | Read More.
COVID-19 Query Templates
Publication: CDC
Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) professionals have identified the need for the following query templates when reviewing COVID-19 health records. They are available for download on the AHIMA website using the URL in this post. | Read More.