** The coding information and guidance are valid at the time of publishing. Learners are encouraged to research subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.
It’s Baaaaack: CMS Brings Back the Inpatient Only List
In the final rule for the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) for 2021, CMS announced plans to phase out the inpatient only list (IPO) by 2024. To kick that off, they removed 266 musculoskeletal-related services and their corresponding anesthesia services...
Social Determinants of Health Example Case Studies
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the environmental conditions where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life risks and outcomes. Some examples include income level,...
Tips & Expertise: CPT Interventional Radiology: Lower Extremity Revascularization Webinar Q&A
Q: If an intervention is performed in the anterior tibial artery and another in the tibioperoneal trunk, can two interventions be reported? A: Yes. The tibioperoneal trunk is a continuation of the popliteal artery after the anterior tibial branches off. The TP...
Tips & Expertise: CPT Interventional Radiology: Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Webinar Q&A
Q: Is a chronic contained rupture considered a ruptured aneurysm? A: CPT defines rupture as an acute hemorrhage related to the aneurysm. Patients with rupture are most likely hemodynamically unstable and require emergent treatment. A chronic contained rupture or...
FAQs About the CIRCC® Exam: Is it Right for You?
FAQs About the CIRCC® Exam: Is it Right for You? A lot of coding professionals are looking to level up by adding a specialty certification and according to the AAPC, the Certified Interventional Radiology and Cardiology Coder® (CIRCC®) is one of the top earning coding...
Take the Pressure Out of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) or wound vac coding has been an area that generates a lot of questions and confusion. These codes are widely used and have a specific purpose. Continue reading as we discuss exactly what NPWT is, break down the four code options, and talk about how they are intended to be used.
Tips & Expertise: 2022 IPPS Updates Webinar Q&A
Q: VitalWare is reporting that New Technology Add-on Payment for Abecma and Tecartus but they also drive to DRG 018. How does that work? A: This is correct. CAR T-cell therapies are assigned to MS-DRG 018 through a pre-MDC. Abecma and Tecartus both also receive...
Tips & Expertise: Injections & Infusions Beyond the Basics Webinar Q&A
Q: For concurrent infusions, does the drug have to run 16 minutes together or any time together at all? A: Concurrent infusions should run greater than 16min together. Ref: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleId=53778 Q: If...
Tips & Expertise: What’s New? 2022 ICD-10-CM Updates Webinar Q&A
Q: Would you code long term use of insulin and hypoglycemic as well as presence of insulin pump? A: The code categories for diabetes, other than category I10 for type 1 diabetes, has a “use additional code” note indicating that the type of control (i.e., long term...
Tips & Expertise: Oh Baby! Diagnostic OB Coding for ICD-10-CM Webinar Q&A
Q: O48.0 reads that it is for pregnancy over 40 completed weeks, so it seems that 40 weeks and 0 days would not be post term. There was a statement that post term is greater than or equal to 40 weeks. Are we interpreting that correctly? A: Post-dates pregnancy is...