Education and Tips
Learn useful information and tips used in the industry.
The First Quarter 2019 Coding Clinic responded to several questions in regard to which codes to report for when you have codes from both categories J43 Emphysema and J44 Other Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The table below summarizes the clinical scenarios submitted, code recommendations and rationale. Presenting Problem Medical History Coding Clinic Response Rationale COPD… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – March 2019
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Surgical Site Infections The October 2018 updates included expansion of Subcategory T81.4, Infection following a procedure, and new codes were created to identify surgical site infections according to depth. Six codes were created to describe infections following a procedure: Code Description T81.40 Infection following a procedure, unspecified T81.41 Infection following a procedure, superficial incisional surgical… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – February 2019
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Partial Knee Joint Replacements The knee has three compartments — the medial compartment (inside aspect of the knee), the lateral compartment (outside of the knee) and the patellofemoral compartment (in front of the knee). In some knee osteoarthritis patients, only one compartment of the knee is affected. It is usually the medial compartment that is… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – January 2019
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In today’s healthcare industry, the standard, simple coding process is a thing of the past. Coding patient records has become quite complex; it is imperative that coding professionals not only work to capture the correct DRG (diagnosis-related group) assignment, but also accurate illness severity and mortality risk, as these factors directly impact organizations’ quality-based initiatives.… Read More »Concurrent Coding – Exploring the Concept
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At UASI, we pride ourselves on the quality and integrity of our employees. Here is a snapshot of a few of our wonderful Coders and CDI Consultants coming available soon that can help your facility. Kiwanis: Pro-Fee Coder Codes a variety of E/M records including: inpatient pro-fee, outpatient pro-fee, clinics and multi-specialty. Multi-specialty experience includes:… Read More »Available Talent
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The coding guidelines for BMI have been revised in two areas and extensive coding advice for BMI appeared in the Fourth Quarter 2018 Coding Clinic: The revised guidelines are: B.14 Documentation by Clinicians Other than the Patient’s Provider Code assignment is based on the documentation by patient’s provider (i.e., physician or other qualified healthcare practitioner… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – November 2018
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In the CDI arena, there is an increasing focus on clinical validation – and for good reason. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2011 Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Statement of Work, “Clinical validation is a separate process [from DRG validation], which involves a clinical review of the case to see whether or not the… Read More »Expanding Clinical Validation: What Is It, and Why Is It Important?
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The Third Q 2018 Coding Clinic (page 13) provided coding advice regarding a bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction. The patient was status post a right mastectomy with tissue expander in place and during this procedure the patient undergoes a prophylactic left mastectomy with the bilateral DIEP. Clarification was requested on whether:… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – October 2018
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