Tag Archives: coding
Know the Exceptions to Master Late Effect ICD-9 Coding
Posted on 26. May, 2010 by jan.mater.
Late effect of CVA turns guidelines upside down.
When coding for late effects, sequencing is everything. Keep one rule of thumb and two exceptions in mind and you’ll be accurate every time.
Here’s When to Report Late Effects
A late…
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Get the Skinny on ICD-9 Symptom Coding
Posted on 12. May, 2010 by jan.mater.
Read sequencing instructions to catch exceptions to the symptom coding rule.
You’ve heard it said before: Don’t code the symptom when you have a definitive diagnosis. But even when you keep this general guideline in mind, symptoms can still trip…
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Sneak a Peek at New 2011 ICD-9 Codes for Home Care
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by jan.mater.
Welcome new pneumonia, fluencey disorder, and cystostomy complication codes.
It’s that time of year — the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has unveiled the proposed changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems, giving us the first look at…
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Bone Up on OASIS C To Boost Your Home Health Coding Career
Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by jan.mater.
Combine correct coding with OASIS C accuracy for maximum payoff.
With all the focus on OASIS C process measures and communication requirements, accurate coding can get lost in the shuffle. Now more than ever, it’s important to accurately document all…
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How Well do You Know Your Inpatient Procedure Codes?
Posted on 14. Apr, 2010 by jan.mater.
The 14 day rule may not measure what you think it does.
Now that OASIS C has been around a while, you may be feeling more at ease with the new diagnosis code “M” items. But have you settled in…
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Home Health Coding Education: ICD-9 Fifth Digits
Posted on 24. Mar, 2010 by Editor.
You save time & money when you understand that ‘last’ isn’t ‘least’
If you don’t take the time to make certain you’re selecting the most accurate fifth digit up front, you’re likely to wind up with delayed or denied claims.…
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Home Health Coding Clinic: ICD-9 Codes for Diabetic Manifestations
Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by Editor.
Read on, and we’ll teach you how to pair them up correctly.
Question: Our patient has multiple diabetic ulcers on his toes, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetic retinopathy, and stage 3 chronic kidney disease due…
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Home Health CODING: Double-Check Documentation or Risk Low Vision Downcoding
Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by sanjay.aikat.
Case mix diagnosis bring claim scrutiny.
Auditors are looking closely at claims with low vision diagnoses. Keep a sharp eye on your documentation to ensure it contains the essentials required to earn reimbursement for this case mix condition.
Low vision…
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Does Debridement Change Pressure Ulcer Coding for Home Health?
Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by Editor.
Question: Is a debrided ulcer considered a nonhealing chronic wound or is it a nonhealing surgical wound?
Answer: You should consider a debrided ulcer to be an ulcer and code it as such. Debridement does not make the ulcer a…
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Home Health Coding: Gather Details for COPD Case Mix Points
Posted on 04. Nov, 2009 by sanjay.aikat.
Question: Your 82-year-old patient lives alone and has a history of falls. He was admitted to home care for severe pain due to osteoarthritis in bilateral knees. You will be providing physical therapy and skilled nursing. He also has a…
