10 Key considerations to evaluate remote CDI readiness “Will I ever have an opportunity to work from home?” It’s a question often asked by Clinical Documentation Specialists (CDS). As a CDI leader, you’ve likely heard it, most likely by some of your most experienced, productive employees and those most respected by physicians. Perhaps your initial… Read More »Best Practices for Building a Remote CDI Model
When coding a patient with DM and peripheral angiopathy, peripheral vascular disease or peripheral arterial disease, assume a link between the two conditions unless the provider has linked the peripheral angiopathy to another underlying condition. Because atherosclerosis is a speciic type of peripheral angiopathy use an additional code from I70.2- through I70.7- if the angiopathy is further… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – June 2018
Outpatient clinical documentation improvement (CDI) is a critical topic among those involved in mid-revenue cycle processes. It can sometimes be a challenge deciding where and how to get started. We’ve simplified the process by outlining our recommendations. Read ten key steps to successfully implement an outpatient CDI program for accurate capture of HCC’s (referred to as a Physician Practice CDI Program).
Spinal Fusion vs. Spinal Stabilization The First Q 2018 (P. 22) Coding Clinic provided clarification that stated spinal fusion procedures without bone graft cannot be coded to the root operation “Fusion”. The rationale for this advice is that while the root operation of “fusion” does not require the use of bone graft, the spinal fusion… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – May 2018
In its 2018 report released earlier this year, KLAS Research cited UASI’s stable of expert coders, our extensive education program and strong management as factors which set us apart from our industry peers. UASI also scored above average in every one of KLAS’s 5 key metrics in the sector: coding quality, coding productivity, quality assurance process, management of coders, and scaling flexibility.
MACRA is a Quality Payment Program (QPP) which replaces the current Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) methodology and will streamline multiple current programs and reporting. This new framework will offer providers the opportunity to focus on quality health care rather than simply more care.
HIM professionals know that coding accuracy must be monitored and corrected when found to be below standard. At the same time, the speed at which records are coded must be efficient as healthcare organizations are faced with declining reimbursement and increased data collection.
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?
When coding a patient with DM and peripheral angiopathy, peripheral vascular disease or peripheral arterial disease assume a link between the two conditions unless the provider has linked the peripheral angiopathy to another underlying condition. Because atherosclerosis is a specific type of peripheral angiopathy use an additional code from I70.2- thru I70.7- if the angiopathy… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – April 2018
Unspecified diagnosis coding continues to be a problem in the US healthcare industry. For many organizations, overuse of nonspecific diagnosis codes has resulted in reimbursement delays and, in some cases, preventable claim denials.