Author: Johnson, Laurie M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: September 2007

Coding infusions and injections has been a source of confusion and frustration since the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced C codes in 2006. However, in calendar year 2007, CMS made an about face and eliminated the C codes, reverting back to the published 2007 CPT....

Author: Buck, Stacie L

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: July 2007

You’re diligently auditing outpatient diagnostic services when you find an order in the medical record for a screening mammogram. However, a diagnostic mammogram was performed, not a screening mammogram.

The business office and the patient request that you change the diagno....

Author: Wiedemann, Lou Ann

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: July 2007

Section 5001(a) of the Deficit Reduction Act introduced a new data reporting standard for hospitals submitting Medicare claims. The present on admission (POA) indicator will be a requirement for inpatient Medicare claims submitted by all hospitals on October 1, 2007.

This a....

Author: Bronnert, June

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: June 2007

by June Bronnert, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 20 million Americans, or one in every nine adults, and another 20 million Americans are at risk of developing CKD, according to the National Kidney Foundation. With this prevalence, it is important for coding professio....

Author: Giannangelo, Kathy

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: June 2007

Every profession has its own body of knowledge. This specialized knowledge leads the profession to create a language of its own, also.

The HIM profession has a distinct language and body of knowledge. Through them HIM professionals deliver a unique service to the healthcare industry.....

Author: Trela, Patricia

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 2007

Inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) coding can be a challenge due to the Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System (IRF PPS), which was implemented in 2002 to cover patients paid under Medicare Part A. IRF PPS requires completion of the IRF-Patient Assessment In....

Author: Peters, Robert; Wiedemann, Lou Ann

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 2007

Evaluation and management (E/M) codes were added to the CPT codebook in 1992 to classify physician services. Use of these codes increased when they became integral to physician practice reimbursement. E/M codes became a tool for practices to trend individual physician profiles and reimbursemen....

Author: Wiedemann, Lou Ann

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: April 2007

Coding a chart with a sepsis diagnosis can prove challenging for coders. The coding guidelines for sepsis as well as ambiguous provider documentation can often mean an extended length of time reviewing a chart only to place it on hold for a physician query. This column outlines the clinic....

Author: Whitaker, Paul

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: April 2007

With the recent talk of implementing a severity adjusted payment methodology, facilities must begin considering how they will prepare for this transition. Some healthcare organizations are concerned that the process is resource intensive, time consuming, and tedious.

Organi....

Author: Scichilone, Rita A

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: March 2007

Coding professionals who work for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) should be aware of payment changes effective in 2007 and 2008. The changes seek to coordinate ASC payments with hospital outpatient departments at a rate intended to maintain neutrality between site-of-service choices for patie....