Author: Wilson, Donna D

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: March 2012

The Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) demonstration program found that "most of the overpayment amounts collected by the RACs (about 85 percent) were from inpatient hospital providers," and "almost half of the improper payments were the result of incorrect coding."1 Things have changed with....

Author: Endicott, Melanie

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: March 2012

The increased need for accurate coded data for healthcare delivery, reimbursement, compliance, and regulatory accountability has brought about a corresponding need for data quality monitoring and regular evaluation programs. Maintaining data quality is an ongoing effort that affects many aspec....

Author: Rihanek, Theresa

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: February 2012

The final rule for calendar year 2012 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) was released on November 30, 2011. The rule went into effect for outpatient hospital-based services January 1, 2012.

This article outlines the updates in the final rule.
Financial Impact....

Author: O’Hara, Karen

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: February 2012

The 2012 updates to the CPT code set include 278 new codes, 139 code revisions, and 98 code deletions. This brings the total number of CPT codes to 9,641.

All major sections of the CPT code set, as well as the introduction and appendix A, have undergone changes. Beginning with the i....

Author: Kostick, Karen M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: January 2012

At the request of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the FY 2012 ICD-9-CM code update expanded subcategory 041.4, Escherichia coli, to create unique codes for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). This article describes STEC and its clinical features and summarizes the new STEC ICD-9....

Author: DeVault, Kathryn

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: January 2012

The transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS will provide coding professionals with the opportunity to enhance and improve their coding skills. However, it will also require coders brush up on their anatomy and physiology knowledge. This is the perfect time to gain a better understanding of the differences....

Author: Kostick, Karen M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: November 2011

Editor's note: This column supercedes the February 2004 article "From V Codes to Z Codes: Transitioning to ICD-10."

V codes, described in the ICD-9-CM chapter "Supplementary Classification of Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services," are designed for occasi....

Author: DeVault, Kathryn

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: November 2011

The final rule for the FY 2012 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System was released August 1, 2011. Changes in the rule went into effect with October 1, 2011, inpatient discharges.
MS-DRG Documentation and Coding Adjustment

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services....

Author: Bryant, Gloryanne H.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: October 2011

Coding malnutrition has always been a challenge, especially since MS-DRGs were implemented. However, with Recovery Audit Contractors and other regulatory auditing being initiated across the country, providers and HIM professionals must be proactive rather than reactive when coding this conditi....

Author: Bielby, Judy A

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: October 2011

ICD-10-CM codes provide greater detail than ICD-9-CM codes for reporting neoplasms. In many instances, ICD-10-CM neoplasm codes can provide information on whether a neoplasm occurred in a right-sided or left-sided body part. ICD-10-CM also provides codes for reporting neoplasm sites with great....