Category: Medical Coding

Sneak a Peek at ICD-10-CM 2021

New COVID-19 Test Codes Effective Immediately

Just when you thought you had all the COVID-19 coding for laboratory testing figured out — hold the phone — there are three new CPT® codes. These newest codes are effective June 25, 2020. CPT® Code Long Descriptor 0223U Infectious disease (bacterial or viral respiratory tract infection), pathogen-specific nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), 22 targets […]
CMS Guidance for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

CMS Guidance for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided some guidance within the “Medicare and Medicaid Programs Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” interim final rule (IFR), allowing for remote patient monitoring, or RPM. This type of patient care is very helpful for ongoing treatment during the COVID-19 […]
Telehealth Codes To Know

Telehealth Codes To Know

There are numerous coding options when it comes to reporting telehealth visits and others that are not the traditional face-to-face office visit. There are numerous options when it comes to reporting visits that are not the traditional face-to-face office visit. This varies somewhat by payer, of course. Medicare has temporarily relaxed some of the geographic […]
New CPT Code Expands COVID-19 Coding, Billing to Antigen Tests

New CPT Code Expands COVID-19 Coding, Billing to Antigen Tests

The AMA’s new Category I CPT code will allow for COVID-19 coding and billing of antigen tests performed on patients suspected of being infected by the novel coronavirus. The American Medical Association (AMA) recently updated Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) to enable proper COVID-19 coding and billing of antigen tests performed on patients suspected of being infected with […]
COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Testing

COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Testing

How to code Medicare Part B claims for reimbursement. These past few months have been a whirlwind for everyone, but it’s fair to say medical coders have been hit with a category 5 hurricane. New codes and revised guidelines have been whirring about, making our heads spin. And now we have another new CPT® code […]
Future of Telehealth

Telehealth is the Future- and the Future has Arrived

For several years, we’ve seen Medicare and the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) manual slowly approach the age of telehealth. Despite a lot of discussion and many headlines during each of the past few years, the codes and coverage embracing the modern age of medicine have lagged far behind the technology. This isn’t […]
Diagnosis Coding for COVID-19

Diagnosis Coding for COVID-19: Better to be Lucky Than Good

  Stakeholders need to work collaboratively to ensure that diagnostic information is complete and accurate. The COVID-19 pandemic has created many overwhelming and heartbreaking medical challenges. In theory, the easiest task is accurate diagnosis coding for suspected exposure, confirmed and presumed cases, and possible disease. The new ICD-10-CM codes are few and clearly defined.  However, […]
Coding in Age of COVID-19_ Deciphering Coding Nuances, Best Practices

Coding in Age of COVID-19: Deciphering Coding Nuances, Best Practices

  Without much warning, the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has taken over our healthcare system. It has taxed our healthcare workers, our national stockpiles of PPE, and affected millions of Americans nationwide. In addition to healthcare workers on the front lines, the pandemic has also impacted the healthcare revenue cycle, causing major confusion, questions, and inconsistencies as […]