** 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.
Total Joint replacement, Hemiarthroplasty or Revision? Which is it?
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
Surgeons often use the terms arthroplasty and replacement interchangeable to describe a procedure they performed. On occasion, they will also state that they are doing a revision. As a coder, to figure out what procedure was performed, it is important to understand the procedures they describe and most importantly, the anatomy of the structures they are working on. Most commonly, I see these types of procedures performed on hips, shoulders, and knees, however, I have seen them on foot, ankle, wrists and even elbows! Keep reading to review the difference between the various procedures and terms used for these types of procedures. | Read More.
Tips & Expertise: 2021 E/M Changes
Q: Can we count resident’s time?A: No. Teaching physician rules haven’t changed. Resident time is not billable. Q: Do you need to document exactly how you spent your time with the patient, or just the total minutes?A: It is recommended to document total minutes plus...
Spinal Anatomy Coding
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
In a discussion about spinal anatomy, one of my coworkers once said, “It’s not so much that the spinal column is three-dimensional, it’s more five-dimensional.” I think that is an apt description of the vertebral segments that stack one on top of the other to compose the spinal column. It is critical for coders to have a thorough understanding of spinal anatomy when assigning ICD-10-PCS and CPT codes to spinal fusion procedures. In this blog post, we will walk through a brief primer on spinal anatomy. The spine is composed of bone and soft tissue. Let’s start with the bones. | Read More.
Tips & Expertise: 2021 CPT Updates for the Facility Coder
Q: With the new code for lung core needle biopsy, which bundles imaging, how do we code for fine needle aspiration (FNA) performed in the same encounter when imaging is used for it? A: New code 32408 for core needle biopsy of the lung bundles all FNA codes....
Tips & Expertise: 2021 CPT Updates for the Profee Coder
Q: Can I always just use G2212 if our organization follows only CMS guidelines? A: It will depend on whether or not the payer accepts the G2212. HCG would advise to write an internal policy for coders to follow for coding of prolonged services using codes 99417 vs....
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.
Coding for Diabetic Complications
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
November is American Diabetes Month and there’s no better time to review one of the most common coding variances we see on coding audits: coding for diabetic complications. Later this month, I will present a webinar on this topic, but for now, let’s get a jump on it by covering the things that stand out to all of us at Haugen during coding audits. | Read More.
Tips & Expertise: Liver Disease & Treatment
Q: Question about fatty liver disease. It’s my understanding that fatty liver disease is often the first stage in liver disease and can progress to cirrhosis. If the provider documents fatty liver disease as well as cirrhosis, should you code both or is the...
Ten Things to Know About 2021 E/M Changes
Ten Things to Know About 2021 E/M Changes Publication: Haugen Consulting GroupPublished on October 1, 2020 Download Tip Sheet Now
Tips & Expertise: 2021 IPPS Updates
Q: You mentioned that Yescarta and Kymriah would group to the new MS-DRG 018 for CAR T-cell therapies. There are 2 new codes for CAR T-cell therapies from the new technology section in 2021. Will those codes also group to MS-DRG 018?A: Two new CAR T-cell therapies...