** 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.
Tips & Expertise: ICD-10-PCS for Replacement Procedures
Q: A patient with a previous hemiarthroplasty (say, right hip) comes in for a THR. Do you code the removal and replacement of the device (head/stem) and just replacement of the liner/cup? Q: How do you code polyethylene exchange of the left total knee. They took out the old one and placed a new one. Continue Reading to learn more!
Sniffing Out Sinus CPT Coding
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
Did you know there are two separate nasal cavities, eight sinuses, and six turbinates to consider when coding sinus surgery?! This can make for quite a coding challenge! Most sinus surgeries performed are called Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), which are procedures performed to open up sinus cavities to promote airflow and drainage. Properly coding these procedures requires understanding of sinus anatomy and being familiar with the parenthetical notes in this section of the CPT book. Here are five tips to get you started in correct code selection.
Tips & Expertise: ICD-10-PCS for GI Procedures
Q: Can you explain when the approach for laparoscopically-assisted procedure through an orifice would be used? A: This approach was added to the GI system in fiscal year 2018 to report a laparoscopically-assisted anal-pull through procedure. This procedure is...
Faxing Your Resume and Staying Humble with Deanna Upston
Publication: NEC Podcast
Haugen’s consultant, Deanna Upston catches up with creator of the Medical Coding Geeks, Brian Cui in a recent episode of the Not Elsewhere Classified (NEC) Podcast. Deanna shares her journey from medical assistant to faxing in her resume and landing her first coding job. | Read More.
Tips & Expertise: CPT for GI Endoscopy Procedures
Q: If the physician removes a polyp using cold biopsy forceps, do we bill a biopsy, snare polypectomy or an ablation?A: For this, you would bill the biopsy code. The snare polypectomy would require use of a snare and the ablation codes would be for destruction. Q: Can...
Coding Colonoscopies
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
When coding for colonoscopies for Medicare patients it is crucial to understand the following: What is a screening colonoscopy? Which codes are applicable? Is a modifier required? | Read More.
Tips & Expertise: ICD-10-PCS for Podiatry
Q: How is a double osteotomy bunionectomy coded? Does it require more than one code? A: The intent of a double osteotomy is to make two cuts in the bone – either two in the metatarsal head or one in the metatarsal head and one in the proximal phalanx – to correct...
Tips for Coding Hand Surgeries in ICD-10-PCS – Free Haugen Academy MicroLearning
Free Haugen Academy MicroLearning
Our hands are incredibly intricate. Hand surgeries can be complex and coding these in ICD-10-PCS can be challenging. This brief presentation contains a few tips for coding these complex cases. | Read More.
Tips & Expertise: CPT Coding for Foot Procedures
Q: Why does CPT Assistant recommend for a scarf osteotomy, but then has “scarf” listed as an eponym for 28295?A: The scarf osteotomy refers to the shape of the cut, so could be reported with either code depending on where the cut is made on the MT. Q: Is modifier 59...
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.
