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 ...
Stay out of Trouble — Understand the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Content | Published October 7th, 2020
To assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries, CMS created the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program; a Medicaid benefit which pays for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copays for any Medicare-covered items and services for Medicare Part A, Part B, and Medicare Advantage (Part C). Providers/suppliers are prohibited from billing premiums and cost sharing to Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in QMB.
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 ...
ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines Updated for COVID-19
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Content | Published April 8th, 2020
The ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines have just been updated to include COVID reporting. Additional information beyond the previously released interim guidelines are included. These are the rules that should be followed for claims submission. The notice states that this is for April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020.
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 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 ...
How to Properly Report Monitoring Patients Taking Blood-thinning Medications
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Content | Published June 18th, 2019 - Last Review/Update June 19th, 2019
Codes 93792 and 93792, which were added effective January 1, 2019, have specific guidelines that need to be followed. This article provides some guidance and tips on properly reporting these services.
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...
By Find-A-Code™ | Published May 9th, 2018 - Last Review/Update August 1st, 2018
Preventive Medicine Topics Page
Breastfeeding Supplies
Procedure Codes A4286: Locking ring for breast pump, replacement E0602: Breast pump, manual, any type E0603: Breast pump, electric (ac and/or dc), any type E0604: Breast pump, hospital grade, electric (ac and / or dc), any type S9443: Lactation classes, non-physician provider, per session
ICD-10-CM ...
By Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published February 1st, 2018
It is important to make a clear distinction between pre-existing conditions and conditions brought on by the pregnancy (gestational) or pregnancy related conditions.
Condition Detail: Was the condition pre-existing (i.e., present before pregnancy)?
Trimester: When did the pregnancy-related condition develop?
Casual Relationship: Establish the relationship between the pregnancy and the complication (e.g., preeclampsia)
Code examples:
O99.011 Anemia ...
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 ...
Preventive Services: Screening for Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Tests
By Find-A-Code | Published September 1st, 2017 - Last Review/Update January 31st, 2018
The following information from the Medicare Learning Network provides guidance on Screening for Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Tests....
Preventive Services: Screening for STIs and High Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) to Prevent STIs
By Find-A-Code | Published September 1st, 2017 - Last Review/Update January 31st, 2018
The following information from the Medicare Learning Network provides guidance on Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and High Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) to Prevent STIs.....
By Find-A-Code | Published September 1st, 2017 - Last Review/Update January 31st, 2018
The following information from the Medicare Learning Network provides guidance on Screening Pelvic Examinations (includes a clinical breast examination)....
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 ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published January 20th, 2017 - Last Review/Update August 2nd, 2017
It is important to make a clear distinction between pre-existing conditions and conditions brought on by the pregnancy (gestational) or pregnancy related conditions.
Condition Detail: Was the condition pre-existing (i.e., present before pregnancy)?
Trimester: When did the pregnancy-related condition develop?
Casual Relationship: Establish the relationship between the pregnancy and the complication (e.g., preeclampsia).
Code examples:
O99.011 Anemia ...