Posts by Laura Barron
Coding Compliance Risks Associated with Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs)
Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCCs) have been around since 2004. However, with their increased impact on professional fee reimbursement due to the implementation of MACRA, HCCs have become a hot topic and, therefore, a focus point in every coding arena. Now, physicians will be compensated based on the estimated health cost according to risk profiles, as…
Read MoreImportant Telehealth Coding Advice during COVID-19
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lifted Medicare restrictions on the use of telehealth services during the COVID-19 emergency. TELEHEALTH FACTS: Effective March 1, Medicare will pay physicians for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person visits for all diagnoses, not just services related to COVID-19 Medicare patients can receive telehealth services…
Read MoreICD Tip – The Latest on COVID-19
ICD-10 MS-DRGs Version 37.1 Effective April 1, 2020 Coding Discharges on or after 4/1/2020 *Please note: As of 4/1/2020, new code ICD-10 CM U07.1 will be available Code U07.1, 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease will be implemented into ICD-10-CM with the update effective April 1, 2020. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) developed interim coding advice…
Read More2020 CMS E&M Guidance Telehealth Services
As of March 17, 2020 under President Trump’s leadership, the CMS has broadened access to Medicare’s telehealth services benefits with a 1135 waiver that will pay for office, hospital and other visits furnished via telehealth starting with March 6, 2020 and lasting for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. Prior to this waiver these benefits…
Read MoreConstant Change Requires Ongoing Education: How UASI Delivers Continuous Learning
Continuous learning is the only way to keep up with shifting standards and guidelines, payment reform, and the latest changes in healthcare technology. Accurate, high-quality coding is simply not possible without ongoing education.
Read MoreTo Query or Not to Query…
It is the responsibility of the coder to assign codes based on documentation in the chart and as guided by the code-set and the official coding guidelines. But what happens when documentation in the chart is not clear cut?
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