The JustCoding.com discussion boards provide coders with a forum in which they can ask questions, post comments, respond to others, and share ideas. And the best part is that it’s free! So relax, pull up a chair, and see what your colleagues have to say on these topics:
Discussion Topics
Medicare Severity DRGs (MS-DRGs) took effect October 1, 2007, expanding the number of DRGs from
538 to 745. This new Medicare prospective payment system is designed to more accurately reflect
patient severity and takes into account a patient's complications/comorbidities (CC) as well as
major CCs (MCC). To learn more about MS-DRGs or to ask a question about how you will receive
reimbursement under this new system, post your questions here.
This Medicare prospective payment system reimburses most hospital outpatient services based upon
Ambulatory Payment Classification groups that are similar both clinically and in terms of resources
required. Post APC questions, and talk about ways to improve the APC system here.
Because coding determines reimbursement, coding is at the heart of health
care compliance. Discuss specific coding compliance issues, settlements,
auditing and monitoring activities
This classification system has been designated as the "official code set" for diagnostic
coding for Medicare and all billers and payers. Discuss specific coding concerns as well as the
present-on-admission indicator here.
The government wants all coders of Medicare claims to be credentialed. Yet, not all inpatient
coders have credentials. Discuss how a coder becomes credentialed, how to maintain credentials,
as well as how to retain credentialed staff.
This classification system has been designated as the "official code set" for procedure coding for
Medicare Part B and ambulatory claims for all payers. Healthcare providers and coders alike face
challenges with correct code submission. Discuss those challenges and post your CPT-4 questions here.
The ICD has become the international standard diagnostic classification for all general epidemiological
and many health management purposes. In anticipation of its possible implementation in the United
States by October 1, 2009, we invite comments from both our U.S. and international subscribers
concerning this classification system, including its challenges and opportunities.
Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes are CPT-4 codes that describe patient encounters with providers.
These "visit" codes account for almost half of all third-party payments to providers. Talk about how
the codes are selected and the many factors that may affect reimbursement, such as place of service,
type of service, and the complexity of the encounter.
This discussion group is a forum to discuss critical issues relating to charge description master (CDM) file
content, organization, and management. We also provide an avenue for CDM coordinators to discuss different
philosophies on how the facility's chargemaster is used; such as a tool for the measurement of productivity
or resource utilization. You can also query other interested parties on issues that affect their facility's
CDM and receive helpful hints on how to resolve common problems.
CDI is the basis for improving the accuracy and quality of coding and DRG
assignment and thus, reimbursement for the health care institution. CDI
links the coding profession, medical staff and financial officer in a comprehensive
effort to advance the clinical documentation and financial interests of
the healthcare institution. We invite our subscribers to share their experiences
regarding this challenging HIM endeavor.
Here's your chance to contact other coding professionals! Engage other coders with your coding questions and thoughts here.
Talk about concerns unique to health information management directors here.
