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October 14th, 2021
Five Major ICD-10-CM Changes That Can Effect Your Organization
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published October 14th, 2021
Have you had a chance to review the new ICD-10-CM codes for FY 2022? Did you know that many payers do not want to see unspecified codes when there is a possibility for better data? How adept are you at assigning and sequencing COVID-19 codes? Take a minute to review 5 of the major changes to the FY2022 ICD-10-CM code updates and claim your chance to watch our most recent webinar where we review the newest code updates.
ICD-10-CM Cracks Down on the Use of "Unspecified" in the 2021 Official Guidelines
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published October 6th, 2021
We always knew there would come a day when payers would look down on an "unspecified" diagnosis code and possibly even deny it or delay payment until a review of the record could be performed. ICD-10-CM was adopted by the U.S. for data analytics, which cannot be accurate if unspecified codes are reported when the documentation verifies greater specificity. Join us for a look at the many guideline changes to ICD-10-CM, a review of the newest code changes and suggestions on documentation improvement to elevate coding protocols.
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published October 4th, 2021
New ICD Codes for: Low Back Pain, Cervicogenic Headache, Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), and Social Determinations of Health (SDOH). These codes became effective on October 1, 2021.
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published July 19th, 2021
Properly documenting and coding chronic pain can be challenging. As is commonly the case with many conditions, over the years, there has been a shift in the identification of different types of pain, including chronic pain. Understanding where we are now and where we are going will help your organization prepare for the future by changing documentation patterns now.
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | 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.
Managed Care Organizations Use CMS Tools to Identify Outliers
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published June 1st, 2021 - Last Review/Update June 2nd, 2021
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) include risk-adjusted plans whose funding is based on the health status of their beneficiaries. Government-funded MCOs use CMS information to search for suspected cases of fraud and abuse.
OIG Plans for Onslaught of Risk Adjustment Audits Claiming 9.5% Error Rate in Code Assignment
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published May 18th, 2021
As the OIG has published their intent to further investigate the 9.5% of improper payments based on incorrect ICD-10-CM code assignation, they implore Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to begin employing some of the CMS tools and data analytic programs used to help identify outliers.
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published April 20th, 2021
ICD-11 is officially released, but what does that mean for diagnosis coding in the United States? What's really different? This article discusses what has been happening with ICD-11, some interesting things to note about it, as well as links to other important information.
Q/A: Why is My Claim Being Denied When I Report a Secondary Diagnosis Code?
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published March 17th, 2021
Question: Recently my claims to Medicare are being denied when I submit a secondary diagnosis code. I’ve heard that this is happening in several states including Washington, California, and New York. Has there been a recent change in what secondary diagnosis codes are allowed?
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published October 1st, 2020 - Last Review/Update October 6th, 2020
New codes for Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) are effective October 1, 2020 based on the grade/severity of the symptoms. This article covers the new grading scales.
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published June 10th, 2020
There was no huge announcement when CMS released new files in April. The files that were released on April 7, 2020, actually replaced files to update the NCCI edits on Procedure to Procedure (PTP) edits and Medically Unlikely Edits (MUE). The updated files included;
291,902 Deleted Procedure to Procedure (PTP) edits
197 Deleted Medically Unlikely ...
"What is the ICD-10 code for...?" - Search Smarter With Find-A-Code Tools
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published March 24th, 2020
Do you still find yourself searching the internet for an ICD10 code? Medical coders often type into their search engine, what is the ICD10 code for ... and a specific diagnosis code, to avoid repeatedly dragging out the incredibly large ICD10 codebook. Ironically, some of the most commonly searched ICD10 diagnoses include: ...
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published February 19th, 2020
Question: I heard that Medicare Noridian Jurisdiction F (Alaska) has been denying claims with M99.00, M99.01, M99.02, M99.03 etc codes when billed with the CMT CPT codes. Did Medicare change their policy?
The New ICD-10-CM Code Updates Are Here — Are You Ready?
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published October 1st, 2019
Chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99)
A small revision in the description changed[STEC] to (STEC) for B96.21, B96.22, B96.23. Remember, in the instructional guidelines, ( ) parentheses enclose supplementary words not included in the description (or not) and [ ] brackets enclose synonyms, alternative wording, or explanatory phrases.
Chapter 2: ...
Vaccine Administration - When The Right Vaccine Code is Not Enough
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published September 30th, 2019
Understanding how to apply immunization administration codes properly will support correct reimbursement for vaccinations. Reporting the right vaccine code alone is not enough to guarantee proper billing. The majority of the time, providers can charge for the vaccine/product as well as the administration of the vaccine; always consult your payer ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published August 13th, 2019
There are three main code sets and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), is the third most common code set used. They are often called Level II codes and are used to report non-physician products supplies and procedures not found in CPT, such as ambulance services, DME, drugs, orthotics, supplies, ...
By Marge McQuade, CMSCS, CHCI, CPOM | Published July 9th, 2019
ICD-10-CM codes represent the first line of defense when it comes to medical necessity. Correctly chosen diagnosis codes support the reason for the visit as well as the level of the E/M services provided. The issue of medical necessity is one of definitions and communication. What is obvious to the ...
What is Medical Necessity and How Does Documentation Support It?
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published April 23rd, 2019
We recently fielded the question, “What is medical necessity and how do I know if it's been met?"
The AMA defines medical necessity as:
It is important to understand that while the AMA provides general guidance on what they consider medically necessary services, these particular coding guidelines are generic and may be ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published March 27th, 2019
When coding with ICD-10-CM, pain codes can be found in different sections:
The Body System affected or site-specific pain codes, such as Low Back Pain M54.5, can be found in Chapter 13. Diseases of the Musculoskeletal system (M00-M99). Other examples might be ocular pain H57.1, found in Chapter 7. Diseases of ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published November 8th, 2018
Diseases of the Circulatory system are found in Chapter 9 and reported with I00 through I99 according to the following sections:
Acute rheumatic fever (I00-I02)Chronic rheumatic heart diseases (I05-I09)Hypertensive diseases (I10-I16)Ischemic heart diseases (I20-I25)Pulmonary heart disease and diseases of pulmonary circulation (I26-I28)Other forms of heart disease (I30-I52)Cerebrovascular diseases (I60-I69)Diseases of arteries, ...
Coding Clinic Officially Defines Spondylolisthesis and Disc Disorder
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published October 19th, 2018 - Last Review/Update December 19th, 2018
The Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS is a quarterly newsletter published by the American Hospital Association's Central Office (AHA). The information they publish is a joint effort of several organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the Centers for Medicare and ...
2019 Code Changes are Just Around the Corner - Are You Ready?
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published September 24th, 2018 - Last Review/Update January 28th, 2019
The leaves are beginning to change and it’s time once again for the annual code changes for 2019. ICD-10-CM codes are out and will be effective October 1, 2018. CPT code changes also just came out and will be effective January 1, 2019. The ChiroCode DeskBook and ICD-10-CM Coding for Chiropractic books have been ...
By BC Advantage | Published May 30th, 2018 - Last Review/Update June 4th, 2018
According to the National Institutes of Health, a review was carried out on 20 patients who had a pectoralis major muscle repair between 2003 and 2011, and the results were as follows....
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published February 1st, 2018
There has been some controversy over the use of the ICD-10-CM subluxation codes commonly referred to as traumatic (S13.1-, S23.1-, and S33.1-). Are they appropriate for chiropractors to use? The answer to that question is complicated. The problem basically lies in the lack of official guidance and differing opinions on ...
NEW on Find-A-Code...National Coverage Determinations (NCDs)
By Aimee Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, Director of Content | Published January 23rd, 2018 - Last Review/Update January 25th, 2018
Medicare limits its coverage of services to those considered to be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of an injury or illness based on coverage guidelines. National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) are created based on research, evidence-based processes, public participation, and other resources, and made available to the public. ...
By Christine Woolstenhulme | Published January 9th, 2018
This code is commonly used to bill for AcuKnee products. Per AcuKnee, “NMES and electrotherapy may be covered by most insurance providers, provided the following criteria are met;”
Documentation of chronic pain or muscle atrophy 3 months or longer
Must document improvement
Must have physician document medical necessity/Prescription
Appropriate authorization from your insurance provider
Suggested codes when billing
64550 initial electrotherapy education and placement
E0720 Electrotherapy unit itself
E0731 Garment ...
By Marge McQuade, CMSCS, CHCI, CPOM | Published January 4th, 2018
Adequate documentation is an essential part of selecting a correct code in any setting. When providers order a test, the information that they document regarding the test results determines the primary and secondary diagnosis codes a coder assigns.
If a physician confirms a diagnosis based on the results of a diagnostic ...
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published November 30th, 2017 - Last Review/Update February 5th, 2019
Q: In order to code carpal tunnel syndrome G56.01 or G56.02, does there need to be documentation that nerve conduction (EMG testing) has been performed to confirm the diagnosis?
ICD-10-CM Coding Advice for Healthcare Encounters in Hurricane Aftermath
By BC Advantage | Published September 12th, 2017 - Last Review/Update January 25th, 2018
This document is intended to be used as a guide to help coding professionals when coding healthcare encounters of those individuals affected by a hurricane.
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published February 16th, 2017
In order to arrive at a diagnosis and check for related complications, a healthcare provider needs to evaluate the patient condition. This may include:
History: This can include the patient's personal history as well as that of the patient's family.
Physical exam: The healthcare provider will try to rule out physical problems ...
By Evan M. Gwilliam, DC MBA BS CPC CCPC CPC-I QCC MCS-P CPMA CMHP | Published January 23rd, 2017 - Last Review/Update February 8th, 2019
Generating a differential diagnosis — that is, developing a list of the possible conditions that might produce a patient's symptoms and signs — is an important part of clinical reasoning. It allows a provider to perform appropriate testing to rule out possibilities and confirm a final diagnosis.
Courts view the formulation and documentation of a differential diagnosis as evidence of a physician's competence, prudence, and thoughtfulness.
By ChiroCode | Published June 28th, 2016 - Last Review/Update March 5th, 2019
In some places, the ICD-10-CM code set uses words we think we are familiar with. However, a review of the guidelines shows that some of these words have very specific definitions. Here are a few important ones to remember.
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