Coder's Cranium / CPT 2010

The ASC Coder’s Resource Guide for 2010

Here’s a quick, handy way to get to all of Medicare’s new rules and reimbursement rates Ambulatory surgery center coders have a lot to learn for 2010, stressed Joanne Schade-Boyce at the ASC 2010 Coding & Reimbursement Update in Orlando. It’s absolutely essential that ASC coders study the AMA’s CPT Changes this year, Schade-Boyce recommended. Why? [...] Related articles:

  1. Coder’s Anatomy: ‘Dorsal’Da Dum. Da Dum. DaDumDaDumDaDum. If you can’t always remember...
  2. A Coder’s Guide to Health Care ReformQuick way to show your practice you’re prepared for the...
  3. Op Note Decoder Ring: Red Flags for Multiple ProceduresNever rely on an op note’s “procedure performed” line for...

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December 12, 2009
Provider News

Coding News Travels to Florida for 2010 Updates

Do you have a question about how you should code in 2010? Write us and we’ll ask the experts. Princesses have their castles, but the big news in Orlando this weekend is that the Coding Queens are coming to town! This week in Orlando, nationally known coding & billing experts like Marvel Hammer, Melanie Witt, Leslie Johnson [...] Related articles:

  1. CCI 15.2 News: 3,500 New Code Pairs, Plus Modifier Status Changes CPT continues to add new codes, and the Correct Coding...
  2. News Flash: Over 300,000 New Code Pair Edits from CCIExtra! CCI also creates a few welcome deletions. If you...
  3. AboutCoding News is the essential digest of updates and advice...

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December 4, 2009
CPT 2010 / Hot Coding Topics

PQRI: No Coumadin Due to Fall Risk

Plus, experts at the AMA meeting in Chicago tell you what to do if you can’t get H1N1 vaccine for PQRI Measure 110 or other vaccine measures. Question: My internist decided not to put a patient on Coumadin because the patient has a higher risk of falling than from having a stroke. Our group participates in [...] Related articles:

  1. Smokin’ PQRI Pointers We’ve got the G codes you need to score...
  2. Make Sure These Errors Don’t Sink Your PQRI BonusCMS shows which issues sidelined these practices. Most practices would...
  3. Track Payer’s Preferred H1N1 Admin Code — or Risk RejectionsCode 488.1 does not = confirmed lab. Swine flu has...

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November 13, 2009
CPT / Hot Coding Topics

2010 Tumor Excision Coding: Lesion Vs. Chunk Size

Straight from the AMA in Chicago — answers to your lesion excision coding questions for 2010. Question: A thigh lesion measures 2 cm but requires a resection down to the subcutaneous layer of 4 cm. Which lesion excision code should I use? Answer: “You should use the larger of the subcutaneous codes,” says Albert E. Bothe, Jr, [...] Related articles:

  1. Lesion Excision Coding Challenge: 2 Lesions, 1 CutQuestion: Our nonphysician practitioner (NPP) discovers a pair of benign...
  2. Shave Duplicate Lesion Excision Denials Question: Our dermatologist shaved three epidermal lesions that the...
  3. Payer Update: NGS Directives Vs. Proper Skin Lesion CodingIgnore the LCD and stick with what you know about...

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November 13, 2009
CPT 2010 / Hot Coding Topics

From the AMA in Chicago: CPT 2010 Out of Order Codes

Here’s where you can find a full list of resequenced codes. Notice that new sign in your CPT book? No, that hash mark’s not to delete a message or to sign into a conference; it’s to alert you to an out of order code. The “#” works like a flashing yellow light: Slow down, there might be [...] Related articles:

  1. 2010 Tumor Excision Coding: Lesion Vs. Chunk SizeStraight from the AMA in Chicago — answers to your lesion...
  2. Lesion Excision Coding Challenge: 2 Lesions, 1 CutQuestion: Our nonphysician practitioner (NPP) discovers a pair of benign...
  3. Radiology Billing Checklist: Rules for Additional Tests without Treating Physician’s OrderKeep these additional test rules at your fingertips if your...

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November 11, 2009