http://www.justcoding.comThis is an HCPro Company.en-usCopyright 2012 JustCodingCoders and clinicians often seem to speak different languages. What a clinician considers important information may not be what a coder needs to assign the correct code. Clinicians may not document a piece of information that is vital to the coder. Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, CENTC, Joseph Nichols, MD, and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, explain how clinicians and coders can work together to improve communication.http://www.justcoding.com/280129/crossing-the-divide-closing-the-language-gap-between-coders-and-physiciansWed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTWith the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM coding, coders need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. To help coders prepare for the upcoming transition, we will provide an occasional article about specific anatomical locations and body parts as part of a larger series for ICD-10-CM preparation. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, takes coders on a trip through the digestive system.  http://www.justcoding.com/280131/icd10-anatomy-refresher-digestive-systemWed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTCoders will need very specific information in order to code for fractures in ICD-10-CM, including the type of fracture, specific bone fractured, and whether the patient is seen for an initial or subsequent visit. Robert S. Gold, MD, Sandy Nicholson, MA, RHIA, and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, detail the information physicians must document for accurate fracture code assignment.http://www.justcoding.com/280133/fracture-coding-in-icd10cm-requires-greater-specificityWed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTThe American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) continues to advocate for no delay in the implementation date for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS.http://www.justcoding.com/280135/healthcare-news-ahima-files-comment-letter-on-proposed-icd10-delayWed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTWhen a physician determines the patient has a coronary artery blockage, the physician can choose from several options for treating the patient, depending on exactly what is wrong. John F. Seccombe, MD, and Betty Johnson, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-H, CPCD, CCS-P, PCS, CCP, CIC, RMC, discuss invasive and non-invasive treatments, as well as the heart’s anatomy.http://www.justcoding.com/279555/eliminate-coronary-procedure-confusionWed, 02 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTCMS did not discuss drug administration services in the 2012 OPPS final rule, but the AMA did make significant additions to the CPT®  coding guidelines in the 2012 CPT Manual. Jugna Shah, MPH, and Kimberly Anderwood Hoy, JD, CPC, review the guidelines and explain the nuances to keep coders up to date.http://www.justcoding.com/279559/catch-up-on-whats-new-with-injections-and-infusionsWed, 02 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTThe Bishop’s Score is primarily a scoring system to assess the viability and/or success of an induction of labor, odds of a spontaneous pre-term delivery, or whether a cesarean section should be considered instead of a vaginal delivery. Lori-Lynne Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, explains how physicians tally the Bishop’s Score and what coders should look for in the documentation.http://www.justcoding.com/279560/learn-about-the-bishops-score-and-its-relationship-to-labor-and-deliveryWed, 02 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTCMS instructed fiscal intermediaries (FI) and Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) to hold claims containing CPT® code 33249 (insertion or replacement of permanent pacing cardioverter-defibrillator system with transvenous lead[s], single or dual chamber) and HCPCS code C1882 (cardioverter-defibrillator, other than single or dual chamber [implantable]).http://www.justcoding.com/279562/healthcare-news-cms-instructs-fismacs-to-hold-certain-claims-for-missing-device-editWed, 02 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT QUESTION: Can you explain the difference between modifier -80 (assistant at surgery by another physician) and –AS (physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery)? Medicare requires us to use both modifiers for our physician assistants. We have been instructed to use -AS first and -80 second for all Medicare claims submissions. Is this correct? http://www.justcoding.com/279565/qa-correct-use-of-modifiers-80-and-asWed, 02 May 2012 09:00:00 GMTTo correctly assign codes for any surgical procedure, coders need to have an operative (OP) report. But simply having an OP report isn’t enough. Coders also must be able to read the OP report and pick out the important information. Lynn Pegram, CPC, CEMC,CPC-I, CGSC, breaks down the OP report to help coders find the information they need.http://www.justcoding.com/279024/learn-how-to-read-an-op-reportWed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMTA physician or clinical provider of care may have a completely different understanding, interpretation, and definition of medical necessity than the patient or a third-party insurance. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, COBGC, CHDA, explains the differences in the definition and application of the term medical necessity.http://www.justcoding.com/279025/clear-up-confusion-surrounding-medical-necessityWed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMTAs charges become more specific to provide additional concrete and transparent cost data, providers must consider what procedures they routinely provide to patients and what procedures are specifically related to the patient's condition. Denise Williams, RN, CPC-H, and Kimberly Anderwood Hoy, JD, CPC, reveal tips for determining when to separately bill for ancillary bedside services provided to inpatients.http://www.justcoding.com/279028/correctly-bill-ancillary-bedside-procedures-in-addition-to-the-room-rateWed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMTProviders will receive pass-through payment for four additional drugs and biologicals as part of the April OPPS update.http://www.justcoding.com/279031/healthcare-news-cms-grants-four-drugs-and-biologicals-to-passthrough-statusWed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMTQUESTION: I would like to know the correct codes to use when a patient comes into the ER after smoking synthetic marijuana and has symptoms of palpitations, seizure, or anxiety. Some physicians document ingestion, while others document abuse. What is the proper way to code considering we do not have a specific code for this new drug on the market?http://www.justcoding.com/279035/qa-coding-for-use-of-synthetic-marijuanaWed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMTOsteoporosis and osteomyelitis both affect the bones, but in different ways. Osteoporosis is a thinning of the bone that often leads to pathologic fractures. It is also a systemic condition, meaning that all bones of the musculoskeletal system are affected. Robert S. Gold, MD, and Sandy Nicholson, MA, RHIA, explain how coders will report these two conditions in ICD-10-CM.http://www.justcoding.com/277942/osteoporosis-and-osteomyelitis-coding-in-icd10cmWed, 21 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMTKnowing spinal anatomy provides the foundation necessary to assign codes both before and after the switch to ICD-10-CM. Shelley C. Safian, Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, guide coders through the anatomy and common coding situations in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.http://www.justcoding.com/277943/use-spinal-anatomy-as-a-basis-for-icd9cm-icd10cm-codingWed, 21 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMTThe transition to ICD-10-CM is coming. The only question is when. Despite the possible delay, coders and other HIM professionals must continue to prepare for the transition. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, Sandy Nicholson, MA, RHIA, Robert S. Gold, MD, Jennifer Avery, CCS, CPC-H, CPC, CPC-I, and Kim Felix, RHIA, CCS, provide information on how ICD-10-CM will—and will not—differ from ICD-9-CM. http://www.justcoding.com/277944/icd10cm-coding-start-with-the-structureWed, 21 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMTQUESTION: Will we still have modifiers after the switch to ICD-10-CM/PCS?http://www.justcoding.com/277946/qa-modifiers-in-icd10cmpcsWed, 21 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMTOtolaryngology coding covers a wide range of procedures and four parts of the respiratory system—the ears, nose, sinuses, and throat (ENT). Stephanie Ellis, RN, CPC, and Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, explore some common ENT coding trouble spots.http://www.justcoding.com/277370/the-nose-knows-the-importance-of-correct-otolaryngology-codingWed, 07 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMTJust because a physician considers a service or procedure medically necessary doesn't mean insurance carriers will pay for it. When a service or procedure is not covered, facilities must provide patients with an Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN). Judith Kares, JD, CPC, and Jacqueline Woeppel, MBA, RHIA, CCS, explain limits on liability and what modifiers to use with ABNs.http://www.justcoding.com/277371/unscramble-the-complexities-of-abnsWed, 07 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMT