By Therese M. Jorwic, MPH, RHIA CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA The best way to begin ICD-10-CM training is to start at the beginning – what it is and where it comes from. ICD stands for International Classification of Diseases. It is a worldwide coding system established by the World Health Organization. The WHO is an arm of the United Nations that deals with international public health … [Read more...] about Good ICD-10 training starts with the overall picture
Coding
Coding stroke and its effects with I-9 and I-10
ICD-9-CM and CPT coding update By Therese M. Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P Every year, about 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke. About 75% of those are first strokes; the rest are repeat strokes. Most- an estimated 87%- are ischemic, where a blood clot blocks a blood vessel to the brain. The others are hemorrhagic, or bleeding strokes. The severity of a stroke depends … [Read more...] about Coding stroke and its effects with I-9 and I-10
The asthma codes take a new turn with ICD-10
ICD-9-CM and CPT coding update By Therese M. Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P Asthma is a condition so common (it affects 25 million Americans) that offices see it often as either a first-listed or secondary diagnosis. It’s a chronic disease, and the classic symptoms are wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing, especially early and late in the day. With … [Read more...] about The asthma codes take a new turn with ICD-10
Leave no stone unturned; get an ICD-10 vendor timeline – with the cost
ICD-10 success rests to a great extent on the office’s system vendor. Right now is the time to pin that vendor down on what it will and won’t do and make arrangements to cover the blank spots, Medicare says. Also get the cost of every item. And get it all in writing. Here are the points to cover These are the items to verify with the vendor, Medicare says. • Get the … [Read more...] about Leave no stone unturned; get an ICD-10 vendor timeline – with the cost
Alcohol/drug abuse and addiction in I-9 and I-10
ICD-9-CM and CPT coding update By Therese M. Jorwic, MPH, WHIA, CCS, CCS-P Two diagnoses that appear in too many records are alcohol and drug and addiction. There is a difference between abuse and addiction. Abuse is the misuse of a substance; it could lead to physical or psychological dependence. Addiction is dependence; stopping the use will cause withdrawal. Alcohol is … [Read more...] about Alcohol/drug abuse and addiction in I-9 and I-10
E/M transitional care: Q&A on how to code it and get the payments in
Here is a bit of Q&A on the new E/M transitional care codes 99495 and 99496. These codes cover care coordination during the 30 days after discharge from a hospital or skilled nursing facility, and they include communicating with the patient or caregiver, reviewing the medication, and coordinating the care with other providers and with community services. They also require … [Read more...] about E/M transitional care: Q&A on how to code it and get the payments in
Poisonings, adverse effects, and now underdosing
By Therese M. Jorwic, MPH, RGIA, CCS, CCS-P Poisonings, adverse effects, and underdosing. The poisonings and adverse effects are nothing new. But underdosing is. It’s a new concept that’s found in ICD-10-CM. Here is a comparison of how the new drug reaction codes compare to the old. And the good news is that this area is relatively easy to understand. The same here; … [Read more...] about Poisonings, adverse effects, and now underdosing
Analyzing CPT’s updates from radiology to the end
By Therese M. Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P In the past two issues, we covered CPT’s changes to the E/M codes and the surgery codes. Here now are the rest of the changes. They start with radiology and end with the Category III codes. Radiology There are five newcomers here, all for nuclear medicine. They begin with thyroid studies (78012-78014). The first is for thyroid … [Read more...] about Analyzing CPT’s updates from radiology to the end
Two more items for ICD-10-CM preparation: clearinghouses and coders
Getting ready for ICD-10-CM Add two more items to the office’s ICD-10-CM checklist: the billing service and the office staff who will be doing the coding. A checklist for the billing service First the billing service or clearinghouse. Medicare is telling offices to check with the services they use to make sure they are indeed up to speed in their preparation for the new … [Read more...] about Two more items for ICD-10-CM preparation: clearinghouses and coders
CPT’s 2013 updates to the surgery codes
ICD-9-CM and CPT coding update By Therese M. Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P Musculoskeletal system The new surgery codes begin with the musculoskeletal system. New code 22586 is for arthrodesis, or fixation of a joint, in this case the spine. It covers the pre-sacral area, which is the L5 to S1 section of the sacrum right above the tailbone, with the interbody technique. This … [Read more...] about CPT’s 2013 updates to the surgery codes