ED professional codes are typically assigned by professional coders with specialized training in emergency medicine coding. The CPT® code set, including ED code descriptors and applicable rules, guide this choice based on the documented history, physical exam, and medical decision-making, as indicated by the chief complaint and the nature of the presenting problem. In addition, […]
Physicians will potentially have a lighter documentation burden and more time to spend with patients in 2021 thanks to an overhaul of Medicare Coding guidelines for outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services. “The whole point was to have people not document stuff that was not necessary, not relevant to the clinical management of the patient,” […]
As the U.S. responds to a growing threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus, CMS and other organizations are clarifying how to code for testing and treatment of the disease. Six things to know: 1. CMS created a new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code for providers and labs testing patients for SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome […]
Coronavirus continues to dominate the news. This is a developing story will continue to update you on the latest development on this global health crisis. In the wake of the deadly coronavirus (nCoV), U.S. hospitals are preparing for an emergency response nationally by using the four “Ss” – supplies, staff, space, and system. The Centers […]
MACs may be applying the multiple endoscopy rules incorrectly. In the 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the proposal to apply the special rule for multiple endoscopic procedures to the family of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) codes. Practices are now getting remittance advice […]
February is the month of love, where every valentine will wait to celebrate and every single will wait to became a couple. In this day will anybody think about the medical billing and medical coding, absolutely not? However you need to be prepared for all sweet happening and mishaps for Valentine’s Day in 2020. No […]
Dive Brief: In the first two years diagnostic codes specific to social determinants of health were available in Medicare fee-for-service claims, they were used for only 1.4% of the total beneficiary population, according to a new report from CMS. Use of the Z codes, first implemented for Medicare FFS in 2016, increased slightly from that […]
Confusion and apprehension surround new guidelines for deep-tissue pressure injury. The release of the 2020 Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (OCG) has resulted in confusion and apprehension surrounding the intent of the new guideline related to the new ICD-10-CM codes for pressure-induced deep-tissue damage, or deep-tissue pressure injury (L89.-6). The ambiguity stems from what […]
Scour the documentation for three key details to correctly code for wound repair. Accurately coding dermatological procedures can be tricky. It is imperative that medical coders understand the anatomy of the skin and can extract specific information from the clinical documentation. We’ve spent the last two months reviewing the codes and guidelines for damaged skin […]
Quite a few code changes and revisions were made to the Radiology Code section of CPT Code for 2020. Less confusing language and expanded code categories will make life easier for medical coders. Here’s a quick review. Gastrointestinal System A mini overhaul of the gastrointestinal system codes removed the confusing language of “with or without […]