S21.1_ Adds Detail Beyond 876.0 for Back Wounds

Posted on 24. Dec, 2012 by rpandit.

Laceration, puncture, and more expand codes.

Coding wound closure requires identifying wound characteristics, and that will become a lot more specific when you change from ICD-9 to ICD-10.

Remember: CMS has finalized the ICD-10 implementation date for Oct. 1, 2014, delaying the action one year from the original deadline.

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In 2013, Reporting Ureteral Stone Diagnoses Will Include More Options

Posted on 10. Mar, 2011 by .

Here is what you should check in your physician’s documentation.

As the conversion takes place from ICD-9 to ICD-10 in 2013, you will not be treating the codes in a way you always did. Often, you will have more options that may need tweaking the way your physician documents a service and a coder reports it.

Have a look at this common ureteral stone diagnosis, and find out what you’ll report after October 1, 2013.

When your urologist treats a ureteral stone, you now apply ICD-9 code 592.1 (Calculus of ureter) to a specific procedure code (such as 52353, Cystourethroscopy, with ureteroscopy and/or pyeloscopy; with lithotripsy [ureteral catheterization is included]).

ICD-10 difference is that

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C34 — Pay Attention To Location for Malignant Neoplasm of Main Bronchus

Posted on 15. Jan, 2011 by dchandhok.

ICD-9 2011 and ICD-10 2011 both have coding options for a malignant neoplasm of the main bronchus. Both indicate that the codes are appropriate for malignant neoplasms of the carina or hilus of lung.

What’s different: ICD-9 2011 includes simply 162.2 (Malignant neoplasm of main bronchus).

ICD-10 2011, on the other hand, offers options specific to location:

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SuperCoder.com Will Soon Include CrossRef, 100% Lay Terms, Illustrations

Posted on 21. Oct, 2010 by jennifer.godreau.

New CPT to ICD-9 ‘cross walk’ tool is available to members Nov. 1.

We’ve had so many requests for a CPT to ICD-9 “cross walk” that we moved up our implementation date for this popular denial combating tool to Nov. 1. Advantage members will be able to access the feature under Tools.

Coders are working weekends to bring to you live on Nov. 1, the surgical CPT procedure code to ICD-9-CM CrossRef. By Dec. 1, SuperCoder CPT to ICD-9-CM CrossRef will also include CPT radiology, pathology, and medicine codes. “The CrossRef lets a coder look up a surgical CPT procedure code and see which ICD-9 diagnosis codes Medicare and private payer allow,” explains Jen Godreau, CPC, CPEDC, content director for SuperCoder.com.

Denials for mismatched CPT and ICD-9 codes cost practices thousands of dollars every year. SuperCoder CrossRef will help

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ICD-9, CCI 16.3, Oct MPFS Coding Updates in SuperCoder.com

Posted on 01. Oct, 2010 by jennifer.godreau.

You can sit back and enjoy the fall foliage spectacle — SuperCoder.com’s got your ICD-9-CM 2011, National Correct Coding Initiative 16.3, and October Medicare Physician Fee Schedule medical coding updates covered.

Go ahead and search for the new H1N1 code: 488.1x — it’s there in SuperCoder.com. Check out the code’s detail page for the red dot that signals a new code. Facility coders: SuperCoder Codesets now include ICD-9-CM Volume 3.

But ICD-9-CM 2011 isn’t the only Oct. 1 change. The National Correct Coding Initiative version 16.3 is effective the same date. Plus, the October 1 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Release is out.

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Collect HPV Pay with Proper Screening vs. Reflex Diagnoses

Posted on 10. Jun, 2010 by Editor.

Align ‘medical necessity’ with ICD-9 instruction.

Ordering a human papillomavirus (HPV) screen with a Pap test isn’t the same as ordering a reflex HPV screen following an abnormal Pap. Although ICD-9 instruction and coverage rules might appear to be at loggerheads, our experts can show you the way out.

Question: Should the physician order a screening and/or reflex HPV Pap test (such as 87621, Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid [DNA or RNA]; papillomavirus, human, amplified probe technique) with V73.81 (Special screening examination for human papillomavirus [HPV])?

What you stand to gain: “Many ‘V’ codes are paid as part of a screening benefit for patients who have those specific benefits,” says Tina Burkhalter, billing manager with SouthEastern Pathology in Rome, Ga. On the other hand,

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Avoid CVA Diagnosis Coding Pitfalls with 438.13, 438.14

Posted on 17. May, 2010 by Editor.

You’ll turn to a V code when your neurologist reports ‘no effects,’ however.

When your neurologist sees a patient who had a stroke, either recently or in the distant past, he may record a number of different conditions — which makes your job more difficult. If you remember a few guidelines, you’ll select the proper ICD-9 codes for every cerebrovascular accident (CVA) case your neurologist treats.

Get Specific With 2 CVA Diagnosis Codes

When your neurologist sees a patient who has had a stroke, or CVA, he may document multiple deficiencies, both new and lingering. When the patient presents with speech and language deficits you have two diagnosis codes to choose from.

To help both differentiate the etiology of speech and language deficits, and to add specificity to those deficits, ICD-9 2010 includes two cerebrovascular disease lateeffects codes: 438.13 (Late effects of cerebrovascular disease, speech and language deficits, dysarthria) and 438.14 (…, fluency disorder [stuttering]).

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Unlock Pay With Anesthesia V Code Advice

Posted on 07. May, 2010 by Editor.

Don’t be caught asleep: Patient history is one element of proper Dx coding.

Many coders hesitate to report V codes, or simply use them incorrectly, but sometimes this section of ICD-9 most accurately describes the reason for the patient’s condition. In fact, V codes are often essential to reporting an anesthesia patient’s medical history.

If you’re not clear on the importance of V codes, check out these expert-approved answers to some often-asked questions:

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CMS Announces Over 100 New ICD9 Codes, Effective Oct. 1

Posted on 05. May, 2010 by Editor.

Get ready for the dawn of new jaw pain, BMI codes, among others.

If you’ve got high hopes that you’ll benefit from many new ICD-9 codes starting this fall, CMS delivers, with over 130 new diagnosis codes debuting on Oct. 1. CMS published the full listing of codes in a 1,000+ page Federal Register file, but we’ve reviewed the list, and it offers a few surprises.

Over one-third of the new codes can be found in the “V” code section, which describe “supplementary classification of factors influencing health status and contact with health services,” according to the ICD-9 manual.

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PT Coders: Clinging to MD Approval? Check This Out

Posted on 16. Apr, 2010 by Editor.

Question: Our hospital billing and medical departments say that diagnoses we add to a claim for reimbursement must have a physician endorsement. We’ve researched our Local Coverage Determination (L26884) from National Government Services, the Ingenix Coding & Payment Guide for the Physical Therapist, and our Indiana Practice Act but can’t find a conclusive reference stating a physical therapist can make a treating diagnosis without an MD’s endorsement. Our billing dept suggested we send all POCs to the MDs for co-signature. But we’d rather not increase the paper flow to the MDs.

Can you offer a reference that states PTs can make treating diagnoses that can stand alone without the MD endorsement?

Indiana subscriber

Answer:

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