HIAlearn – Coding Staff Development & Training
Unmatched industry expertise
Ensuring the educational development of your coding staff is of utmost importance. Whether you need additional focused education based on review findings or the tools to foster ongoing coder development, HIA has you covered with the latest coding updates and regulatory changes. Much of our material is approved by AHIMA and/or AAPC for CEUs. View our extensive HIAlearn library here.
HIAlearn Offerings
Education may take many avenues, including on-site visits, audio recordings and online education modules. Training can consist of one-on-one, group sessions or self-paced. Programs can be tailored to fit any time frame, from a few hours to monthly training and monitoring of new coding staff. We utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to house coding education sessions. Individual participants are provided a username/password to access the LMS from a designated website.
Education Counts
Our 70-years of combined teaching experience has taught us that academic instruction fused with practical application creates a comprehensive learning experience that benefits our team and yours.
Pat Maccariella-Hafey
Executive Director of Education
Beth Martilik
Assistant Director of Education
Kim Carrier
Director of Coding Quality Assurance
Coder Q&A with Pat Macc: Mucoid Casts and Mucus Plugs
We have a case where the physician removes mucoid casts found during bronchoscopy. We have also seen mucus plugs removed during bronchoscopy. The MD performs bronchial washings then removes a large amount of tenacious and thick mucoid casts via bronchoscopy. Is this coded drainage, extirpation or excision? What body part is used?
Coder Q&A with Pat Macc: Metastatic Cancer
Question: This patient is noted to have “Lymphangitic carcinomatosis of lungs with mediastinal lymph nodes.” How would I code the diagnosis? Would I code metastatic cancer to the lung (C78.01) or metastatic cancer to the lymph nodes (C77.1)?
Coder Q&A with Pat Macc: Collapse of an Endograft
This would be considered a “mechanical” complication of the stent graft since the MD states it is a fracture of the endograft and it is folded over on itself. I would change T82.898A TO T82.598A for Other mechanical complication of other cardiac and vascular devices and implants, initial encounter. I did not use “displacement” because the surgeon did not state that the graft was displaced, only that it collapsed upon itself causing obstruction.
Query Tip: Writing a Query Question – Simple and Concise is the Key
The question asked in a physician query may be the most important element of the document. Query questions need to be as simple and concise as possible. The physician should have no doubt what the coder is asking.
Query Tip: How to Be More Efficient
The key to making the query process more efficient is to look for words or documentation while reviewing the record that may signal a potential query opportunity and to note the finding at that time. By the time a coder reaches the end of a record, documentation may have been found to eliminate the need for the query.
Query Tip: When to Query for Sepsis
Coders may find situations where a patient is documented as meeting SIRS or sepsis criteria, or has some clinical indicators reflective of possible sepsis, but the physician never documents sepsis as a diagnosis. Should the coder always query for sepsis in these instances?
Part 6: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identify the Type of Bone Graft Used for Fusion
In Part 5, we focused on identifying the approach being used for the spinal fusion. In Part 6, we are going to focus on identifying the type of bone graft used for the spinal fusion.
Part 5: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Approach Being Used for Fusion
In Part 4, we focused on determining the spinal column being fused. In Part 5, we are going to focus on identifying what approach is being used to complete the spinal fusion (anterior, posterior or both).
Part 4: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Column Being Fused
In Part 3, we focused on determining the level of the fusion(s) and how to determine the number of vertebrae fused. In Part 4, we are going to focus on identifying which column is being fused (anterior, posterior or both).
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Popular Posts
Part 6: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identify the Type of Bone Graft Used for Fusion
In Part 5, we focused on identifying the approach being used for the spinal fusion. In Part 6, we are going to focus on identifying the type of bone graft used for the spinal fusion.
Part 5: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Approach Being Used for Fusion
In Part 4, we focused on determining the spinal column being fused. In Part 5, we are going to focus on identifying what approach is being used to complete the spinal fusion (anterior, posterior or both).
HIA Launches Buddy Up Program for New Hires
This past year, HIA implemented “Buddy Up,” a program designed to help the new hire have a smooth transition into their new HIA roles with the assistance of a “buddy.” What is a Buddy? The Buddy is simply a peer who can guide the new hire in order to make them feel more comfortable. We are very proud of this program and have many success stories that we would like to share. Take a look at the wonderful feedback we have received below.
Part 4: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Column Being Fused
In Part 3, we focused on determining the level of the fusion(s) and how to determine the number of vertebrae fused. In Part 4, we are going to focus on identifying which column is being fused (anterior, posterior or both).
Part 3: Spinal Fusion Coding — Determine the Level(s) or Region of Fusion and Number of Vertebrae Fused
In Part 1, we learned the diagnoses associated with the need for spinal fusions, and in Part 2 the need to identify if the fusion is an initial or refusion of the vertebrae. In Part 3, we are going to focus on determining the level(s) of fusion, as well as the number of vertebrae fused.
HIAlearn – Coding Staff Development & Training
Unmatched industry expertise
Ensuring the educational development of your coding staff is of utmost importance. Whether you need additional focused education based on review findings or the tools to foster ongoing coder development, HIA has you covered with the latest coding updates and regulatory changes. Much of our material is approved by AHIMA and/or AAPC for CEUs. View our extensive HIAlearn library here.
HIAlearn Offerings
Education may take many avenues, including on-site visits, audio recordings and online education modules. Training can consist of one-on-one, group sessions or self-paced. Programs can be tailored to fit any time frame, from a few hours to monthly training and monitoring of new coding staff. We utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to house coding education sessions. Individual participants are provided a username/password to access the LMS from a designated website.
Education Counts
Our 92-years of combined teaching experience has taught us that academic instruction fused with practical application creates a comprehensive learning experience that benefits our team and yours.
Pat Maccariella-Hafey
Executive Director of Education
Coder Q&A with Pat Macc: Mucoid Casts and Mucus Plugs
We have a case where the physician removes mucoid casts found during bronchoscopy. We have also seen mucus plugs removed during bronchoscopy. The MD performs bronchial washings then removes a large amount of tenacious and thick mucoid casts via bronchoscopy. Is this coded drainage, extirpation or excision? What body part is used?
Coder Q&A with Pat Macc: Metastatic Cancer
Question: This patient is noted to have “Lymphangitic carcinomatosis of lungs with mediastinal lymph nodes.” How would I code the diagnosis? Would I code metastatic cancer to the lung (C78.01) or metastatic cancer to the lymph nodes (C77.1)?
Coder Q&A with Pat Macc: Collapse of an Endograft
This would be considered a “mechanical” complication of the stent graft since the MD states it is a fracture of the endograft and it is folded over on itself. I would change T82.898A TO T82.598A for Other mechanical complication of other cardiac and vascular devices and implants, initial encounter. I did not use “displacement” because the surgeon did not state that the graft was displaced, only that it collapsed upon itself causing obstruction.
Beth Martilik
Assistant Director of Education
Query Tip: Writing a Query Question – Simple and Concise is the Key
The question asked in a physician query may be the most important element of the document. Query questions need to be as simple and concise as possible. The physician should have no doubt what the coder is asking.
Query Tip: How to Be More Efficient
The key to making the query process more efficient is to look for words or documentation while reviewing the record that may signal a potential query opportunity and to note the finding at that time. By the time a coder reaches the end of a record, documentation may have been found to eliminate the need for the query.
Query Tip: When to Query for Sepsis
Coders may find situations where a patient is documented as meeting SIRS or sepsis criteria, or has some clinical indicators reflective of possible sepsis, but the physician never documents sepsis as a diagnosis. Should the coder always query for sepsis in these instances?
Kim Carrier
Director of Coding Quality Assurance
Part 6: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identify the Type of Bone Graft Used for Fusion
In Part 5, we focused on identifying the approach being used for the spinal fusion. In Part 6, we are going to focus on identifying the type of bone graft used for the spinal fusion.
Part 5: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Approach Being Used for Fusion
In Part 4, we focused on determining the spinal column being fused. In Part 5, we are going to focus on identifying what approach is being used to complete the spinal fusion (anterior, posterior or both).
Part 4: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Column Being Fused
In Part 3, we focused on determining the level of the fusion(s) and how to determine the number of vertebrae fused. In Part 4, we are going to focus on identifying which column is being fused (anterior, posterior or both).
Get Started
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Popular Posts
Part 6: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identify the Type of Bone Graft Used for Fusion
In Part 5, we focused on identifying the approach being used for the spinal fusion. In Part 6, we are going to focus on identifying the type of bone graft used for the spinal fusion.
Part 5: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Approach Being Used for Fusion
In Part 4, we focused on determining the spinal column being fused. In Part 5, we are going to focus on identifying what approach is being used to complete the spinal fusion (anterior, posterior or both).
HIA Launches Buddy Up Program for New Hires
This past year, HIA implemented “Buddy Up,” a program designed to help the new hire have a smooth transition into their new HIA roles with the assistance of a “buddy.” What is a Buddy? The Buddy is simply a peer who can guide the new hire in order to make them feel more comfortable. We are very proud of this program and have many success stories that we would like to share. Take a look at the wonderful feedback we have received below.
Part 4: Spinal Fusion Coding — Identifying the Column Being Fused
In Part 3, we focused on determining the level of the fusion(s) and how to determine the number of vertebrae fused. In Part 4, we are going to focus on identifying which column is being fused (anterior, posterior or both).
Part 3: Spinal Fusion Coding — Determine the Level(s) or Region of Fusion and Number of Vertebrae Fused
In Part 1, we learned the diagnoses associated with the need for spinal fusions, and in Part 2 the need to identify if the fusion is an initial or refusion of the vertebrae. In Part 3, we are going to focus on determining the level(s) of fusion, as well as the number of vertebrae fused.
See how HIAlearn
will benefit you
Overcome common coding challenges identified during audits and coding staff performance reviews with HIAlearn Action Plans.
See how HIAlearn
will benefit you
Overcome common coding challenges identified during audits and coding staff performance reviews with HIAlearn Action Plans.
