http://www.justcoding.comThis is an HCPro Company.en-usCopyright 2013 JustCodingGeneral equivalence mapping (GEM) is a good tool to use to convert ICD-9-CM codes to ICD-10-CM, but the maps are only a tool. Lori Andersen, MS, and Patrick Romano, MD, MPH, explain to use GEMs as part of your ICD-10 coding transition.http://www.justcoding.com/292169/gems-a-useful-addition-to-icd10cm-transition-tool-kitWed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTCoder productivity is expected to decline by as much as 50% immediately after the transition to ICD-10. Many organizations are looking to computer-assisted coding (CAC) to help offset those productivity declines. Lisa Knowles-Ward, RHIT, CCS, and Susan White, PhD, CHDA, discuss the results of the Cleveland Clinic’s study of coding accuracy and productivity with CAC.http://www.justcoding.com/292170/is-computerassisted-coding-the-answer-to-projected-coder-productivity-declines-in-icd10Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTEveryone in healthcare—providers and payers alike—faces the same problems when preparing for ICD-10 implementation. Stephen Spain, MD, CPC, Michael Miscoe, Esq., CPC, CPCO, CASCC, CCPC, CUC, and Annie Boynton, BS, RHIT, CPC, CCS, CPC-H, CCS-P, CPC-P, CPC-I, offer the physician, compliance, and payer perspectives on the ICD-10 transition.http://www.justcoding.com/292171/check-out-the-view-from-the-industry-as-icd10-implementation-draws-closerWed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTCMS is translating only 27% of its current National Coverage Determinations (NCD) from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM, according to Janet Anderson Brock, CMS’ director of the Division of Operations and Information Management, Coverage and Analysis Group Center for Clinical Standards and Quality.http://www.justcoding.com/292172/healthcare-news-cms-nears-completion-of-ncd-translation-to-icd10cmWed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTQ: A patient suffered a nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage six months ago and is now being seen for long-standing aphasia as a result of the stroke. How would we code this in ICD-10-CM?http://www.justcoding.com/292173/qa-coding-for-cerebral-hemorrhage-sequela-in-icd10cmWed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31% of all American adults have high blood pressure, so odds are coders see the condition documented often. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, compares coding for hypertension in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.http://www.justcoding.com/291677/understand-anatomy-to-transition-reporting-hypertension-from-icd9cm-to-icd10cmWed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTAnesthesia coding in some ways is similar to evaluation and management coding—only easier. Chandra Stephenson, CPC, CPC-H, CPMA, CPC-I, CANPC, CEMC, CFPC, CGSC, CIMC, COSC, explained the 10 steps to coding anesthesia during the AAPC National Conference in Orlando, Fla., April 14-17.http://www.justcoding.com/291678/ten-steps-to-code-for-anesthesia-servicesWed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTCMS corrected edit 84, added five APCs, deleted two APCs, and changed the description of another as part of the April updates to the I/OCE. Dave Fee, MBA, reviews the most significant changes CMS implementedhttp://www.justcoding.com/291679/cms-corrects-edit-84-deletes-modifiersWed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTThe April 2013 issue of CMS’ Medicare Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter highlights two Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) issues that affect outpatient providers.http://www.justcoding.com/291682/healthcare-news--cms-releases-quarterly-provider-compliance-newsletterWed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTQ: If a patient has a spinal deformity on L5-S1 and we use the appropriate codes from 2280X and then the physician performs an arthrodesis/fusion on the same level, can we bill the appropriate fusion codes (225XX-226XX) as well?  My impression is no, but I would love to get some insight into this question.http://www.justcoding.com/291683/qa-performing-multiple-fusions-at-same-spinal-levelWed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 GMTThe missing link to correct coding is coder knowledge and practical application of Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). Glenn Krauss, BBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPUR, C-CDI, CCDS, reveals how LCDs compliment official coding guidelines for compliant coding.http://www.justcoding.com/291201/local-coverage-determinations-provide-the-missing-link-to-complement-coding-guidelinesWed, 17 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTAt first glance, the new CPT® codes for reporting molecular pathology services might seem simple. They certainly look easier than the old stacking codes that focused on methodology and processes, resulting in multiple codes and quantities being used to report a single test. Jugna Shah, MPH, and Michelle L. Ruben, detail some of the nuances of correct code assignment for molecular pathology tests.http://www.justcoding.com/291202/new-molecular-pathology-coding-still-complexWed, 17 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTMore and more entities are auditing healthcare claims-Recovery Auditors, Medicare Integrity Contractors, MACs, FIs, commercial payers, and on and on. ­Andrea Clark, RHIA, CCS, CPC-H, CEO, Debbie Mackaman, RHIA, CHCO, and Peggy Stilley, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, COBGC, ACS-OB, explain how coders and their organizations can benefit from internal audits.http://www.justcoding.com/291203/audits-help-lock-down-processes-clarify-codingWed, 17 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTCMS added seven CPT® codes to the conditionally bilateral list as part of the April update to the Integrated Outpatient Code Editor. When a provider performs a conditionally bilateral service bilaterally, coders must append modifier -50 (bilateral procedure) to the code.http://www.justcoding.com/291204/healthcare-news-cms-adds-codes-to-conditionally-bilateral-listWed, 17 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTQ: A physician's office collects a pap specimen and sends the specimen to the hospital lab for processing. The physician's office lists ICD-9-CM code V72.31 (general gynecological examination with or without Papanicolaou cervical smear) as the diagnosis for this service. What is the proper diagnosis code for the hospital to use for billing when only processing the specimen? http://www.justcoding.com/291205/qa-icd9-coding-for-screening-papWed, 17 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTBreast biopsies should be easy to code because coders have so few codes to assign, but it is one area where documentation is lacking. Stacie L. Buck, RHIA, CCS-P, RCC, CIC, reveals what key elements coders should look for in a breast biopsy note.http://www.justcoding.com/290731/scrutinize-documentation-for-clues-to-code-breast-biopsiesWed, 03 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTWith no national guidelines in place for facilities to use to determine evaluation and management (E/M) level, coders must apply their facility’s guidelines when coding an outpatient visit. Caral Edelberg, CPC, CPMA, CAC, CCS-P, CHC, and Joanne M. Becker, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, use three ED case studies to highlight potential pitfalls for ED E/M leveling.http://www.justcoding.com/290732/use-case-studies-to-determine-ed-em-levelWed, 03 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTCMS is making a significant change to the Medically Unlikely Edits (MUE) by changing some of them from line-item edits to date-of-service edits, effective April 1. Jugna Shah, MPH, Kathy Dorale, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, John Settlemyer, MBA/MHA, and Valerie Rinkle, MPA, explain how the change could affect coding and reimbursement.http://www.justcoding.com/290733/cms-changes-medically-unlikely-editsWed, 03 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTCMS added numerous device/procedure edits as part of the April update to the Integrated Outpatient Code Editor. To avoid triggering the edits, coders must report particular procedure codes and device codes together on the claim form.http://www.justcoding.com/290734/healthcare-news-cms-revises-deviceprocedure-editsWed, 03 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMTQ: We received an outpatient radiology report (exam performed 7/11/12) where the radiologist states: CLINICAL INDICATION: LUMBOSACRAL NEURITIS EXAM: LUM SPINE AP/LAT CLINICAL STATEMENT: LUMBOSACRAL NEURITIS COMPARISON: MAY 23, 2012 FINDINGS: There is posterior spinal fusion L-3-L-5 with solid posterolateral bridging bone graft. Pedicle screws and rods are stable in position. There are bilateral laminectomy defects at L3-L-4. The vertebral body and disc space heights are preserved. The spinal alignment is maintained without evidence of spondylolisthesis. No acute fracture is identified. No lytic or blastic lesions are seen. The sacroiliac joints are unremarkable. IMPRESSION: Stable postsurgical changes with solid posterolateral fusion graft.   Would you use the following ICD-9 codes: V67.09, 724.4. or 724.4, V45.4? Our coders disagree. http://www.justcoding.com/290735/qa-icd9-codes-for-lumbrosacral-radiologyWed, 03 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT