Coding Tip of the Month – January 2018
October 1st brought over 3,500 new codes, almost 2,000 code revisions and 600 code deletions. As a result most training for the code updates focused on new and revised codes. However, there were some important deletions that will facilitate more accurate coding and reporting for spinal fusions. Most coding errors occur when assigning the device…
Coding Tip of the Month – December 2017
Adult and Child Exams ICD-10-CM Guideline I.C.21.13) Routine and administrative examinations The Z codes allow for the description of encounters for routine examinations, such as, a general check-up, or, examinations for administrative purposes, such as, a pre-employment physical. The codes are not to be used if the examination is for diagnosis of a suspected…
Coding Tip of the Month – November 2017
Total Hysterectomies Written by: Natalie Sartori, Corporate Trainer The October 1st updates included more than 3,500 new ICD-10-PCS codes. The intent and impact of many of the new codes was clearly apparent while others were less obvious. One example of this is the addition of qualifier “L Supracervical” applicable to the body part Uterus on table…
Coding Tip of the Month – October 2017
New MI Codes: The ICD-10-CM updates for October 1st brought three new MI codes: Code Description CC/MCC I21.9 Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified MCC I21.A1 Myocardial infarction type 2 MCC I21.A9 Other myocardial infarction type MCC New guidelines have been published to provide guidance on how to apply the new MI codes and existing guidelines revised for…
Coding Tip of the Month – September 2017
The ICD-10-PCS code changes for 10/1/2017 contain over 3,500 new codes. These new codes focus on correcting deficiencies in providing specific options for various character values in a variety of procedures. Many of the new codes will invalidate and nullify previous Coding Clinic advice for specific code assignment when the exact character value was not…
Coding Tip of the Month – August 2017
Scenario: A 64-year-old patient with new onset ascites presents for abdominal paracentesis. An ultrasound guided diagnostic and therapeutic paracentesis are both performed via a catheter. Is it appropriate to report two procedure codes for the diagnostic and therapeutic paracentesis? Answer: 0W9G3ZZ – Drainage of peritoneal cavity, percutaneous approach, for the diagnostic and therapeutic paracentesis Rationale:…
Coding Tip of the Month – July 2017
Fasciotomy for Compartment Syndrome Scenario: Postoperative diagnosis: status post polytrauma left lower extremity status post motorcycle accident with elevated compartment pressure for the lateral as well as the medial compartments. Procedure: The compartment pressures of the patient’s four compartments were measured. For the anterior and lateral compartments the measurement was 32, for the posterior compartment…
Coding Tip of the Month – June 2017
Ischemic Stroke Therapy with tPA Scenario: A patient is presented to the ER with weakness and expressive aphasia and CT head reveals an ischemic infarct of the left posterior cerebral artery. The patient was started on tPA and a repeat CT scan showed the left stroke with intracerebral hemorrhagic conversion in the left hemisphere. The…
Coding Tip of the Month – May 2017
Scenario: A patient is admitted for a cholecystectomy and during the medical clearance the patient is diagnosed with “Stage A heart failure”. The patient has hypertension, DM, and a family history of cardiomyopathy. How is the heart failure coded? Answer: Assign code Z91.89 Other specified personal risk factors for Stage A heart failure. Assign additional…
Coding Tip of the Month – April 2017
Impella® External Heart Assist Device The Impella® heart pump is a temporary ventricular support device designed to provide hemodynamic support to a patient with depressed heart function. The device is FDA approved for use in high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention and in instances where a patient is suffering from cardiogenic shock following a heart attack or…
Coding Tip of the Month – March 2017
Scenario: An elderly primigravida mother is admitted at term and has a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. What ICD-10-CM code(s) would be assigned to this visit? Answer: O80 Encounter for full-term uncomplicated delivery Rationale: ICD-10-CM Guideline I.C.15.b.2 Codes from category O09, Supervision of high-risk pregnancy, are itended for use only during prenatal period. For complications during…
Coding Tip of the Month – February 2017
Hypertension, Diabetes and CKD 1. HTN & CKD Many of us have been perplexed and confused by recent Coding Clinic advice in regard to Hypertension and CKD. While we may not always agree with published advice the official coding guidelines and coding clinic guidance are the rules that we must follow when reporting ICD-10-CM/PCS codes….