** 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.
Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Publication: CMS
How will recently enacted legislation allow CMS to utilize Medicare telehealth to address the declared Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency? What does this mean? What payment requirements for Medicare telehealth services are affected by the waiver? | Read More.
Three Lies I’ve Told About Facility Emergency Department E/M Coding
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
For many, the ins and outs of facility evaluation and management (E/M) coding for emergency department (ED) services are shrouded in mystery. In an industry where everything seems to be regulated, there appears to be a lack of regulation in the world of facility ED E/M. But is there really? I’ve been known to fib a little about facility ED E/M coding but quickly backtrack to simply state, “It’s complicated.” So without further ado, here are three little lies I’ve told about facility E/M coding and the real truths behind them. | Read More.
Supplement Coding encounters related to COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak
Publication: CDC
The purpose of this document is to provide official diagnosis coding guidance for health care encounters and deaths related to the 2019 novel coronavirus previously named 2019-nCoV. | Read More.
ICD-10 Remix: What the Heck is a DRG and Why Should I Care About Case Mix?
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
So you want to be a coder. And not just that, you want to be a hospital coder because, on average, they make more money than physician coders. And you don’t just want to be a hospital coder, you want to be an inpatient hospital coder because then you get to look at the whole chart and piece together the patient’s clinical picture. If this is your goal, then everything you need to know you will not learn in school. And that’s mainly because there is so much to learn and practical experience is key.
If you want to be an inpatient coder, you need to know diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) because in hospitals, it’s all about DRGs and case mix – and compliance. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, fear not – here’s a primer on DRGs! I wish I could say I cover it all here, but this is just a beginning! | Read More.
Top 10 Things to Know About 2021 E/M Changes
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
E/M changes are coming. Lucky for us, we have almost a whole year to figure them out! They are set to take effect on January 1, 2021. The American Medical Association (AMA) has published the changes, as well as numerous tools to assist us. Let’s take a closer look at our Top 10 List of Things you need to know about these new changes! | Read More.
Diagnostic Coronary Imaging vs. Guiding Shots
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
One of the most complex areas of coding for cardiac catheterization procedures is determining when to code a diagnostic heart angiogram (imaging) separate from a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The guidelines for reporting separate diagnostic imaging are found under the heading Therapeutic Cardiovascular Services and Procedures on the Coronary Vessels (92920-92979) in the CPT book. The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) manual gives guidance that has left many scratching their heads wondering what is medically necessary. Continue reading to learn what the NCCI has to say as well as a couple of hard and fast rules to guide you. | Read More.
Your Ultimate Guide for CPT Coding Resources
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
When coding CPT, have you ever wondered where to look for official coding guidance, or whose rules you should be following? Back in 1992, when I first started coding, the 1995 and 1997 guidelines didn’t even exist! We didn’t have any rules back then, or at least none that I can remember.
Today, lots of entities have their own sets of rules, and each set is different. Then, to add another layer, different payers have their own opinions and rules which adds stickiness to the situation. Boy have times changed! | Read More.
Coding Adventures in Bleeding Disorders and Conditions
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
If you look in the index you will find that under “hemorrhage” there are entries for at least 16 of the 19 chapters in ICD-10-CM! It is a miracle of anatomy that we have this complex, personal ocean of cells, nutrients, and substances coursing through our bodies keeping us alive minute by minute but there are many causes for hemorrhage and many problems that occur when our blood ends up in places where it doesn’t belong! | Read More.
Can Midline Catheters Placed by Vascular Nurses Be Reported?
Blog Post: Digging into HIM & Coding
Midline catheters (MLCs) are similar to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) but they are shorter and the tip doesn’t reach the central venous system. Previous CPT coding advice was to code MLCs as PICC lines with a modifier for reduced services, but as of 2019, new instructional notes direct that MLCs are reported with the following CPT codes | Read More.
The 10-Year Coder Challenge: Growing Your Skills Beyond CCs and MCCs
Publication: ICD10 Monitor
At the beginning of the year, Facebook’s 10-year challenge hit the web with users posting comparison profile pictures from 2009 alongside their 2019 selfies. I’ve seen a recent resurgence of the 10-year challenge over the last week and will admit that even I took part by posting a drawn image of a 2009 stick figure alongside a plumper 2019 version holding tacos. That got me thinking about the coding industry, what’s happened in the last 10 years, and where we’re headed in the next decade. | Read More.
