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...

Digging into MS-DRG’s

Are you looking for opportunities for focused audit reviews or coder education? At HCG, we track our audit data throughout the year to identify trends in the industry and opportunities to educate coders in specific problem areas. So far, in 2020, we have identified 4...

Tips & Expertise: 2021 ICD-10-CM Updates

Q:  For alcohol and drug withdrawal, what is the default code if the doctor does not document use or dependence? A:  The alphabetic index lists dependence as the default and this is reiterated in Coding Clinic, Second Quarter 2015: Page 15.  However, if documentation...

Tips & Expertise: 2021 ICD-10-PCS Updates

Q:  Question in regards to the COVID-19 new PCS codes.  I am getting push back about coding these PCS codes when the drugs can be picked up via the charge master.  What are your thoughts? A:  While your organization may be able to pull this data from the charge...

Understanding 2020’s Unexpected Updates

It has been a wild year for coding updates so far and we haven’t even implemented the codes for fiscal year 2021 yet.  I will be detailing those code changes in two information-packed webinars scheduled to air later this month, but an August 1, 2020 release is one...