The Definition of Medical Necessity in the Era of COVID

Sometimes, in an audit, it comes down to the definition of “medical necessity.” While the coronavirus pandemic is horrible already, it seems to be getting worse. But COVID has forced…

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Treating COVID-19

The ICD-10-PCS codes can be found in the XW0 Table for the drug infusions. There were new ICD-10-PCS codes implemented on Aug. 1, involving substances associated with the treatment of…

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Coding scenario: Type 2 diabetes

In our Coding Case Studies, we will explore the correct coding for a specific condition based on a hypothetical clinical scenario. This scenario involves a patient presenting with symptoms of…

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New ICD-10-CM code changes for CLI may ‘empower’ patients, physicians

Critical limb ischemia, also known as chronic limb-threatening ischemia, is an undertreated disease that often leads to amputation and/or mortality. One reason for undertreatment and underdiagnosis was coding. Until recently,…

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ICD-10 coding guideline changes for 2021

For 2021, there are 490 new, 47 revised and 58 deleted ICD-10-CM codes. We will cover the ICD-10-CM guidelines in this article and the ICD-10-CM code changes next month. There…

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Updates on COVID-19 Billing and CS Modifier Audits

The pandemic continues to impact Medicare reimbursement. COVID-19 continues to make news on the regulatory front with two new directives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), centering…

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8 Things to Know about Vaccine Planning

In the United States, there is currently no authorized or approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Operation Warp Speed has been working since the pandemic started to make a…

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Lessons Learned About Antibodies

The term “antibody” has entered our main-stream vocabulary due to the advent of SARS-CoV-2 with manifestation of disease as COVID-19. Antibodies are also called immunoglobulins. They are protein/carbohydrate structures of…

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Coding Denials: Back to Basics

Coding must be supported by documentation, but also by the Official Coding Guidelines. While preparing for a clinical validation presentation on acute kidney injury denials, I took inventory of the…

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6 tips to boost billing and collections

Here are six resolutions that can improve your billing and collections in 2020. It’s that time of year again when everyone is planning ways to make the upcoming year their…

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New ICD-11 Codes Set to Improve Pain Care in the Primary Setting

Throughout the history of international diagnostic coding systems, including the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), pain diagnoses have never been represented systematically. The lack of a coding structure for chronic…

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6 must-know coding updates in 2020

Becker's ASC Review compiled a timeline of significant medical coding updates that have been proposed or implemented so far this year: January  CMS began paying for certain angioplasty and stenting…

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Provider Audits Hit the Ground Running Following Pause

Medicare audits expected soon.Federal healthcare audits have resumed, and they are not limited to durable medical equipment (DME) or any one specific group of providers, any one type of contractor,…

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