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Part 3 – New 2019 CPT Codes: Cardiovascular System
This is Part 3 of a five part series on the new 2019 CPT codes. In this series we will explore the CPT changes for FY2019 and include examples to help the coder understand the new codes. There are 9 new cardiovascular CPT codes added with 2 deletions and 3 revisions.
Find Your Routine: Know Your Client Workflow
When it comes to coding and documentation, finding your own rhythm can lead to positive results. For our series, Find Your Routine, we interviewed our most productive coders and asked them what steps they take to find a rhythm that works for them. This week, we talked with Tilina Sablan, RHIT, CCS, Coding Specialist with Health Information Associates, about the steps she takes to find her routine.
Part 2 – New 2019 CPT Codes: Musculoskeletal System
This is Part 2 of a five part series on the new 2019 CPT codes. In this series we will explore the CPT changes for FY2019 and include examples to help the coder understand the new codes. There are 4 new musculoskeletal CPT codes added with 2 deletions and 0 revisions.
Part 1 – New 2019 CPT Codes: Integumentary System
This is Part 1 of a five part series on the new 2019 CPT codes. In this series we will explore the CPT changes for FY2019 and include examples to help the coder understand the new codes. There were 15 new integumentary CPT codes added with 3 deletions and 1 revision.
Most Common DRG’s with Recommendations 2018: Part 5
In part 5 of our series, we look at DRG 64—Intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction with MCC. For this DRG recommendation the majority (almost all) were recommended to DRG 65 (Intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction with CC) with deletion of the reported MCC.
Most Common DRG’s with Recommendations 2018: Part 4
The majority of the recommendations from DRG 190 (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease w/MCC) was to DRG 189 (Pulmonary edema and respiratory failure) with re-sequencing of respiratory failure as the PDX or adding as a new code and sequenced as PDX.
Most Common DRG’s with Recommendations 2018: Part 3
The majority of the recommendations from DRG 853 (Infectious & parasitic disease with O.R. procedure with MCC) were to DRG 871 (Septicemia w/o MV 96+ hours with MCC) with deletion or revision of the PCS code. Some of these required physician query.
Most Common DRG’s with Recommendations 2018: Part 2
The majority of the recommendations from DRG 872 (Septicemia w/o mechanical ventilation 96+ hours w/o MCC) were to DRG 871 (Septicemia w/o mechanical ventilation 96+ hours with MCC) with the addition of an MCC to the account. Not all of these required a physician query and were present in the medical record documentation without any clarification needed prior to coding.
Most Common DRG’s with Recommendations 2018: Part 1
The majority of the recommendations from DRG 871 (Septicemia w/o MV 96+ hours with MCC) were to DRG 872 (Septicemia w/o MV 96+ hours w/o MCC) with the recommendation to delete the reported MCC or query for clarification to support the MCC that had been reported.
Top 5 ICD-10 New Year’s Resolutions
Every year, we make plans to live a healthier, more organized, and balanced life. For some of us, we end up falling short of those expectations. This year, to keep us on track with our New Year’s goals, we have put together a few of the most common New Year’s resolutions along with their ICD-10 diagnoses codes. Check out our tips and tricks for a healthy 2019!
Top 5 ProFee Diagnosis Review Findings in 2018
Top 5 ProFee diagnosis changes found in recent HIA reviews: 1. I10 – Essential (Primary) Hypertension; 2. E11.9 – Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Without Complications; 3. K29.60 – Other Gastritis Without Bleeding; 4. R13.19 – Other Dysphagia; 5. I25.10 – Atherosclerotic Heart Disease of Native Coronary Artery Without Angina Pectoris.
Coding Tip: Sequencing of the Principal Procedure
What is the principal procedure? The procedure that is performed for definitive treatment or is taking care of a complication is the principal procedure. Procedures for diagnostic or exploratory purposes that are performed in addition to a procedure being performed for definitive treatment, would be reported in addition to the principal procedure.
Query Tip: Avoiding a Leading Query – Don’t Be Directive
A query question that is directive in nature, indicating what the provider should document, rather than asking for his/her professional determination of clinical facts, constitutes a leading query. The provider should not be made to feel obligated to document anything.
Find Your Routine: Increase Reading Speed to Maximize Productivity
When I start coding a chart, I enter all account information in log and do any abstracting—disposition, admitting, and attending—take care of all of that first. ED, H&P, consult, progress reports, and discharge summary.
Speed Reading Tip: How to Increase Reading Speed
Some Speed Reading Tips: Once you start reading, don’t stop! Read the text straight through. If you have any question after you have completed reading the material, go back and reread the relevant sections. Reread the marked sections of the text (the items you indicated that you didn’t quite understand). Write a small summary at the beginning of the chapter – consisting about 3-4 sentences.
Coding Tip: Procedures Performed Via Burr Hole
A burr hole is a small hole that is made in the skull with a drill by the surgeon. First, (after prepping the site) the scalp is cut (incised) at the desired location by the surgeon. The surgeon will then drill 1 or 2 small holes in the skull at this area to reach the dura.
Coding Tip: Diagnosis Reporting for Routine Circumcision – Newborn
In HIA quality reviews we are finding that some coders are reporting Z41.2—Encounter for routine and ritual circumcision, during the male newborn birth admission, when circumcision is performed prior to discharge.
Coding Tip: GI Bleeding with Multiple Possible Sources
The cause/etiology of GI bleeding is not always easily determined. During procedures, to work the bleeding up, there are often multiple potential sources of bleeding found but not identified as the culprit. Many of these findings have “with” or “in” in the main or subterms.
Otis the Elf Visits HIA for Christmas 2018
On December 1, 2018, the HIA team based at our headquarters in Pawleys Island, South Carolina received a visit from a surprise guest – meet Otis, HIA’s very own Elf on a Shelf. Otis will be sticking around until Christmas to keep an eye on all of us. We have a feeling he may get into some trouble! Check back daily to see what Otis is up to. #OtisOnOtisDrive
Find Your Routine: Consistency is Key
When it comes to coding and documentation, finding your own rhythm can lead to positive results. For our new series, Find Your Routine, we interviewed our most productive coders and asked them what steps they take to find a rhythm that works for them. This week, we talked with Crystal Junkins, CCS, CPC, Coding Specialist with Health Information Associates, about the steps she takes to find her routine.
Coding Tip: What is COPD?
COPD is a respiratory condition where there is chronic obstruction to airflow in the lungs. Air is breathed into the lungs but a patient with COPD has trouble emptying air out of the lungs. This can also cause patients with COPD to have CO2 retention. COPD is an irreversible and progressive disease in which the lung function worsens as time goes on.
Query Tip: Query for Pathology Results
Tissue findings interpreted by a pathologist are not equivalent to the attending physician’s medical diagnosis based on the patient’s clinical condition. If the attending physician has not indicated the significance of an abnormal finding within a pathology report…
CPT Coding: A Look at What’s Coming in 2019
It’s that time of the year where HIM professionals take a peek at what changes are coming for CPT in the new year, 2019. Did you know that CPT started in 1966 with about 3,500 codes? For 2019, there are a total of 10,294 CPT codes.
Coding Tip: New Code for Lacunar Infarction
For FY 2019, ICD-10-CM has added a new code for reporting of lacunar cerebral infarction. This is good news for coders since we see this specific type of cerebral infarction documented often. The new code that is reported for lacunar infarction is I63.81 —Other cerebral infarction due to occlusion or stenosis of small artery.
What is a Medicare Risk Adjustment Factor (RAF)?
In 2003, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented Risk Adjustment Factors (RAF) and Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding to identify individuals with serious and/or chronic illnesses and assign them a risk factor score that is based on a combination of demographic information and reported diagnoses.
Falling Case Mix Have You Confused?
The ICD-10-CM/PCS code changes – effective October 1, 2018 to September 31, 2019 – could be the culprit. Comparatively speaking, there are far less changes this year than in years past. The release includes: 279 new codes, 51 deleted codes,143 revised codes. But don’t let the smaller amount of changes fool you…
Coding Tip: Body Mass Index (BMI) Reporting in Pregnancy
With the publication of the new ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting for FY 2019, we finally have an answer regarding reporting of BMI in pregnancy. The new guideline does state “do not assign BMI codes during pregnancy.”
Query Tip: What is Conflicting Documentation?
Conflicting documentation occurs when health care providers call the same condition different things. When none of the documented conditions are clearly ruled out by the physician, coders may find it necessary to query for the most appropriate diagnosis.
Are You Appealing?
In reviewing hundreds of contracts, the OIG found that insurers overturned 75% of their own denials upon appeal—approximately 216,000 denials each year. However, while the odds of winning an appeal are seemingly good, many providers simply don’t have the time or the internal staff and infrastructure needed to engage in the process.
DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THE ROUTINE AND THE UNEXPECTED.
When it comes to coding and documentation, finding your own rhythm can lead to positive results. That’s why we take every step into consideration when telling each patient’s story and help guide you along the way.
We understand the challenges
Critical Access Hospitals face.
Rarely does a CAH have the luxury of a dedicated coding manager, much less an educator and internal auditor. HIA’s service is aimed at providing a reliable resource to address all 3 important functions and more – all for one fixed annual fee.
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