The handbook's format and style of presentation follows that of previous editions inspired by the Faye Brown approach to coding instruction. The handbook is authored by Nelly Leon-Chisen, RHIA, Director of Coding and Classification at the AHA.
Fiscal year 2021 code updates, including new information on COVID-19, vaping-related disorder, history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension, immunodeficiency, cytokine release syndrome,cerebrospinal fluid leak, intracranial hypotension, neonatal cerebral infarction, and “chronic stroke”
Up-to-date guidance on coding signs and symptoms, diseases, disorders, procedures, conditions, complications of care, long-term care, and more
Reflects the Official Coding Guidelines
Over 200 chapter-based and final review exercises
Built-in workbook of case summary exercises
More than 50 four-color illustrations of anatomy, common disorders, and procedures
Select the title to see a summary and a link to the full article.
July 14th, 2021
How to Properly Assign ICD-10-CM Codes for Pain
By | Published July 14th, 2021
Pain is a common diagnosis among all specialties so it should not be surprising to find there are 162 ICD-10-CM codes for reporting it and over 80 mentions in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting which describe when certain types of pain should be reported and how the codes should be sequenced.
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published October 28th, 2020
Just about any large clinic you visit will have non-physician practitioners, or NPPs. These will include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurses for example. Practices and clinics can bill under the NPPs if they are credentialed with the payer, but the reimbursement is only 85% of the fee schedule. There ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published August 10th, 2020
Coding for pain management can get confusing. How many injections, the location, and when to use a modifier are all common questions. This article will cover some of the most common injections used in pain management.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections are reported by how many muscles are treated using an ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published July 14th, 2020
The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits were developed by CMS to help promote proper coding and control improper coding that leads to incorrect payments with part B claims. It is important to understand that NCCI edits do not include every possible code combination or every type of un-bundling combination. With that ...
Who Qualifies for Chronic Care Management Services
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published March 5th, 2020
Per MLN Chronic Care Management Services, the following patients are eligible: "Patients with multiple (two or more) chronic conditions expected to last at least 12 months or until the death of the patient, and that place the patient at significant risk of death, acute exacerbation/decompensation, or functional decline, are eligible for CCM services."
Examples of chronic conditions ...
Do ICD-10 Updates Have Your Heart Beating Irregularly? Check Out the New Atrial Fibrillation Codes
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT | Published October 1st, 2019
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). It is caused by a disorder in the heart’s electrical system. AF is the result of abnormal contractions of the atria (upper two chambers of the heart) causing them to quiver and beat out of sync with ...
By Namas | Published August 16th, 2019 - Last Review/Update August 20th, 2019
Medical ID Theft
"So, do you guys think you can do something with that?" John asked angrily at our first meeting with him in August 2017 as he slammed a stack of medical bills, EOBs and collection letters - three inches high - down in front of my partner and I. ...
The OIG Work Plan: What Is It and Why Should I Care?
By Namas | Published August 9th, 2019 - Last Review/Update August 14th, 2019
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) founded its Office of Inspector General (OIG) in 1976 and tasked it with the responsibility to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicare, Medicaid, and the other HHS programs. With approximately 1,600 employees, HHS OIG is the largest inspector general's office within ...
By Namas | Published July 19th, 2019 - Last Review/Update July 30th, 2019
Critical care services remain to not only be an area of confusion for providers, coders, and auditors, but also a constant target for the carriers for audit. We can sit back and look at critical care and think of all of the ways the code descriptor and/or use could be ...
By BC Advantage | Published July 12th, 2019 - Last Review/Update July 30th, 2019
Last year was historic for HIPAA enforcement. The HHS Office of Civil Rights collected a record $23.5 million in settlements and judgments against providers guilty of HIPAA violations. To avoid becoming part of that unwanted statistic, it’s important to pay extra close attention to five key areas of HIPAA vulnerability.
Take ...
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT | Published March 18th, 2019
If you've ever taken piano lessons, you know that the thumb is considered the first finger of the hand. Anatomically, it is also referred to as the first phalanx (finger). However, when you are coding an x-ray of the thumb, images are captured of the thumb, hand, wrist, and all ...
Nine New Codes for Fine Needle Aspirations (FNA) in 2019
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT | Published January 4th, 2019
If your practice performs a lot of fine needle aspirations (FNA), you probably have the code options memorized (10021 without image guidance and 10022 with image guidance). However, the 2019 CPT codes now include nine (9) new FNA codes (10004-10012), one deleted FNA code (10022) and one revised FNA code ...
Wolters Kluwer provides unit and package pricing for multiple drug price types: Average Wholesale Price (AWP), Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), Direct Price (DP), Manufacturer's Suggested Wholesale Price (SWP), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Federal Upper Limit (CMS FUL), Average Average Wholesale Price (AAWP), Generic Equivalent Average Price (GEAP). Average...
Documentation: Face to Face for Home Health Certification
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published July 9th, 2018
As a physician, you are responsible for providing appropriate, accurate supporting documentation of your face-to-face encounters (FTF) with your patients regarding home health care.
Analysis of the recent errors identified by the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Review Contractor shows a continuing increase in denials related to documentation for the FTF. The ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published January 31st, 2018
With this year's Flu season being the most widespread on record, providers are seeing more patients and giving more immunizations for influenza than normal. Here are a few things to keep in mind during this flu season.
Know the rules with your payers to ensure proper reimbursement and correct billing. For example, did you ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published September 20th, 2017
CMS recently released a new LCD for Jurisdiction F, Bladder/Urothelial Tumor Markers (L36680).
Documentation Requirements
The medical record must clearly identify the number and frequency of bladder marker testing. Medical record documentation must be legible, must be maintained in the patient’s medical record (hard copy or electronic copy), and must meet the ...
By Find-A-Code | Published September 1st, 2017 - Last Review/Update February 2nd, 2018
The following information from the Medicare Learning Network provides guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services on Cardiovascular Disease Screening Tests:
80061 -
Lipid panel, this panel must include the following:
82465 - Cholesterol, serum, total
83718 - Lipoprotein, direct measurement, high density cholesterol (HDL cholesterol)
84478 - Triglycerides
Z13.6
All Medicare beneficiaries without apparent signs or symptoms ...
Respiratory Assist Devices (RAD) E0470 and E0471 - Billing Reminders
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published March 28th, 2017 - Last Review/Update July 28th, 2017
Add the KX modifier to all claims for RADs and accessories for the first through third months if all thecoverage criteria have been met.
Add the KX modifier to all claims for the fourth month and thereafter if all the coverage criteria have been met and if the physician signed and dated a ...
Documentation: Face to Face for Home Health Certification
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published February 27th, 2017 - Last Review/Update August 16th, 2017
As a physician, you are responsible for providing appropriate, accurate supporting documentation of your face-to-face encounters (FTF) with your patients regarding home health care.
Analysis of the recent errors identified by the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Review Contractor shows a continuing increase in denials related to documentation for the FTF. ...
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April 10th, 2018
Liens and PI care — How to Make Them Work Better...
Liens have been the salvation and anathema for doctors involved in personal injury care treatments. While an essential part of extending needed injury recovery care to those whose insurance coverage is minimal to non-existent, they are not a fool-proof way to secure reimbursement. How do you protect yourself against insurers and attorneys who refuse to honor the agreement? This webinar will explore various methods that have proven to be successful in enforcing a lien to secure reimbursement of your skillful services.
Applying the wrong modifier to a surgical procedure can cause a claim to deny or put you at risk of over-payment and accusations of fraud and abuse. Join Aimee as she demonstrates the proper use of surgical modifiers.
Modifier 25 has long been a coding conundrum and an auditor's gold mine. Don't risk take-backs, penalties, or accusations of fraud and abuse. Join Aimee in this webinar on how to properly report modifier 25 and have confidence in your code reporting.
Ever wonder what an auditor is looking for when they review your surgical coding? Join Aimee and review the basic rules and documentation requirements. We’ll tear apart a couple of operative reports, code them, review NCCI edits, modifiers, and more. Get an idea of how you are doing and things you may want to incorporate into your practice to be better prepared when an audit comes your way. Also, we’ll review our cool Code-A-Note tool and how it can help you locate CPT and ICD-10-CM codes quickly. This tool is great for new coders, coders new to a specialty, difficult coding situations, or anyone who just wants a second opinion on their code options.
How to PREVENT and HEAL Dental Problems so You Can Enjoy a Healthy Body and Life
In this webinar Dr. Jorgensen will share with you the REAL causes of dental disease and techniques for prevention and healing. You will also learn about dental problems that may be making you or your patients SICK, how to identify them, and what can be done to help them get better. Finally, she will tell you about cutting edge dental and health practices you need to know about to improve your patient's health, and how to find a dentist that can provide this care. Don't miss this life-changing webinar!