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By Karla VonEschen, CPC for For the Record Correct use of unlisted CPT codes is one of the more confusing aspects of CPT coding for both coders and physicians alike. Although unlisted codes are used only when no code exists to accurately describe a procedure or service, these codes serve an important purpose. With advancements…
By Chris Simons MS, RHIA for ACDIS Blog As the coder or CDI specialist reviews the documentation, he or she will identify opportunities to clarify diagnoses or even to identify conditions that were not previously documented but may be possible given the patient’s presentation. By querying the physician while the patient is still in the…
By Angie Stewart for Becker’s Hospital Review Carevoyance compiled a list of unusual ICD-10 codes to highlight the level of specificity ASCs, hospitals and medical practices must capture, according to Chief Commercial Officer Katie Vahle. Here are 15 highly unusual ICD-10 codes: 1. W5621XA: Bitten by Orca, Initial Encounter 2. X52XXXA: Prolonged Stay in Weightless…
By James P. Fee, MD, CCS, CCDS, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer for ACDIS Blog Risk is the new buzzword in healthcare, right up there with denial. In fact, CDI programs often deploy physician advisors to assist with shared risk payment models, denial prevention, and improved outcome performance. However, a CDI physician advisor without proper training and…
By Kelly Gooch for Becker’s Hospital Review In June, the CDC published 29 ICD-10 codes to help providers document sex and labor exploitation. The human-trafficking-related codes are a collaboration between Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiatives, the American Hospital Association’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative and clinicians at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital’s Freedom Clinic. They will take effect in…
By Howard Rodenberg, MD, MPH, CCDS for ACDIS CDI Blog I think we’re all familiar with the Law of Unintended Consequences. That’s the concept that something begun with the best of intentions can wind up going horribly awry. Examples include “New Coke” and anything ending in the word “Kardashian.” (Although I’m not sure anything the…
By Jasmine Morgan for Technology Networks Medical records are some of the richest and most under-utilized data sources. Imagine if you could search medical records in the same way you search Google. This would require that all the information was properly categorized and tagged. Such a tool would offer all members of the medical staff…
By Morgan Haefner for Becker’s Hospital Review In June, federal officials charged 601 defendants in alleged schemes involving about $2 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid, the biggest healthcare fraud enforcement action in U.S. Justice Department history. Government and private health insurer audits have recently revealed several fraudulent or abusive medical billing practices, Kevin B. O’Reilly, editor…
By Cindy Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC for For the Record A current urban myth opines that it’s not necessary for physician practices to employ coders because software can capture charges when the work has been completed. Or, since the physician performed the work, it’s easier for him or her to assign the codes. In an…
By Laurie Johnson, MS, RHIA, CPC-H, FAHIMA, AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer for ICD10 Monitor Clinical documentation will need to reflect these situations in order to be accurately coded. When beginning research for this article, I opened my 2018 ICD-10-CM book to the External Cause Index section, specifically for the word “harassment,” but it was missing. The…