Author: Endicott, Melanie

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

Publication Date: May 2014

There are a multitude of CPT codes available to report breast procedures, including incision, excision, introduction, mastectomy, repair, and reconstruction. The correct application of these codes requires an in-depth analysis of the notes associated with codes 19000-19396 and an understa....

Author: Lenahan, Monica

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: January 2009

Cardiac catheterization procedures involve the insertion of a catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart for investigational and interventional purposes. A small puncture is made most commonly in the femoral artery in the groin region. A guidewire is then inserted into the incision and thr....

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: Hull, Susan

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: October 2005

Bariatric, or weight-loss, surgery is a rapidly evolving specialty. From jejunocolic and jejuno-ileal bypass procedures, through the days of minimally invasive procedures such as gastric balloons and endoscopic-banded gastroplasty, to today’s procedures that involve both gastroplasty and....

Author: Cummins, Ruth; Waddell, Julie

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: July 2005

Recently, there has been a significant amount of talk in the healthcare industry about revenue cycle improvement. So what is all of the excitement about? It is about the bottom line. Specifically, how we can improve our bottom line through more effective and efficient revenue cycle management.....

Author: Peter, Karla R.

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

Publication Date: November 2006

Incorrect coding of consultative services can cost the healthcare industry and organizations dearly. In March the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced that approximately 75 percent of evaluation and management (E/M) services billed in 2001 as consultative and allowed by Medicare did n....

Author: McCullough, Dan

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: January 2008

Coding debridement procedures can be difficult-even for the most experienced coding professional. Recent studies have documented inappropriate coding of debridement procedures that have resulted in millions of dollars in overpayments.

This article offers guidance on the app....

Author: Laakso, Roz

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: October 2004

Dementia is defined as “a deterioration of intellectual function and other cognitive skills, leading to a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living.”1 Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related, irreversible brain disorder that occurs gradually and results in me....

Author: Kostick, Karen M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: May 2012

Results of a recent coding and clinical documentation pilot study indicate that the ICD-10-CM coding classification changes made for diabetes mellitus have significantly improved coding for this disease. The results of the study noted that although a few ICD-10-CM "unspecified" diabetes codes....

Author: Davies, Sharon

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

Publication Date: October 2017

One thing is for certain, everyone’s life will end someday. But who wants to broach this uncomfortable subject in a healthcare setting? The patient? The patient’s family? The primary care provider? The hospitalists?


Medicare has recognized the value of this servi....