by Angela Lima, BS, CCS, CDIP, COC, CIC, AAPC-Approved Instructor If you have been in HIM for a while, you know that the only constant is change. From new medical technology that demands detailed understanding, to restructuring of organizations, to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic causing shortages in qualified coders, change has become the […]

by Barry Libman, MS, RHIA, CCS The ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code changes for FY 2023 will go into effect October 1 and the CPT changes for 2023 will go into effect on January 1. There will be new codes and guidelines to apply and implications to be understood and explored. Rather than a solitary activity, […]

By Cari A. Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC, CICA Instructor, CCS Exam Review with Live Instruction AHIMA’s Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credential indicates mastery level coding proficiency. Anyone with a CCS will tell you – obtaining this credential is not an easy accomplishment. However, by preparing adequately and properly you will give yourself a much better […]

By Brian Murphy The struggle is real … in the battle of the American Hospital Association (AHA) vs. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The AHA recently issued a lengthy letter to CMS demanding increased oversight of MA plans, which they claim are denying medically necessary care. The AHA cited a recent OIG report which found that an estimated […]

by Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC It is important to think about how you are presenting yourself to potential employers via the online world. Preparation now will ensure that employers see a professional, polished employee. ONLINE JOB SITES Sites like LinkedIn, Indeed.com, Monster, are all incredible resources for those looking for jobs, as well as […]

by David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC Question: Will you please advise on coding for the following case: No heart cath done, only angiography. Angiography: Descending aorta: pigtail catheter placed in the proximal DAO shows the aorta to the level of the transverse arch and both the left and aberrant right subclavians […]

By Cari A. Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC, CICA Instructor, CCS Exam Review with Live Instruction Earning AHIMA’s CCS credential demonstrates mastery level coding proficiency and is not an easy accomplishment. As with all things in life, preparing adequately and properly will give you a much better chance of success at reaching your goal. There are […]

by Angela Lima, BS, CCS, CDIP, COC, CIC, AAPC-Approved Instructor Coding is serious stuff.  If you are one of those coders who recognizes their role in ensuring their organization will continue to be financially viable, then you know that getting it right is important. No one has to tell you that coding compliance risk is […]

By Cari A. Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC, CICA Instructor, CCS Exam Review with Live Instruction AHIMA’s CCS credential exam tests a candidate’s broad knowledge of coding. Candidates must demonstrate their mastery in all three code systems (ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT) and in all healthcare settings. It is likely that a current coder is working with […]

Reprinted with Permission, Medi-Corp, Inc. By Marcy Garuccio, ACS-AN, CANPC, CPMA, CPC Did you know that being specific matters when coding anesthesia services? The day of a surgeon, facility or physician requesting anesthesia services is not enough to guarantee that these anesthesia services will be deemed medically necessary and reimbursed by insurance carriers. Many carrier […]

By Cari A. Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC, CICA Instructor, CCS Exam Review with Live Instruction Earning AHIMA’s CCS credential demonstrates mastery level coding proficiency. It is also a test of your ability to determine correct answers quickly. The key is to practice your coding skills enough to be successful. My suggestion: take a practice exam […]

by Ann Barnaby, CPC, CRC, CASCC If your email is the most important and first line of communication when looking for a job, your phone, and most importantly your voicemail is the second. During the job search, answering the phone, talking on the phone, and even your voicemail all play a part in your presentation […]

By Gail I. Smith, MA, RHIA, CCS-P In 2021, Evaluation and Management (E/M) office-visit codes changed significantly. The American Medical Association (AMA) listened to physicians’ concerns about the administrative burden associated with documentation requirements for the E/M codes and made changes to the methodology for code selection. The 2021 changes allowed the E/M services to […]

by Lynn Kuehn, MS, RHIA, CCS-P, FAHIMA In the television series, The Crown, King George VI tells the Princess Elizabeth his approach to reviewing the documents received in the red box, that daily package of papers sent from the government to the sovereign. It could be an overwhelming task. His solution: he would flip the […]

By Cari A. Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC, CICA The CCS certification is a mastery level medical coding credential that tells employers, right off the bat, that you have the knowledge and skill to tackle complex coding scenarios. AHIMA’s description of the CCS says: “Coding specialists are skilled in classifying medical data from patient records, often […]

Developing the Coders You Need – Part 3 of 4 By Lisa A. Eramo, MA Let’s face it. Change is hard. Really hard. This is true in our personal lives, and it’s also true for coders transitioning from outpatient to inpatient roles out of a desire to earn more money and promote professional growth. It’s […]

By Angela Lima BS, CCS, CDIP, CIC, COC, AAPC-Approved Instructor If you oversee the coding process or directly manage coders, you know how important accurate, defensible coding is. Inaccurate coding leads to claim denials. An increase in claim denials may lead to aggressive audits which may point to problems in your team’s coding quality. So, […]

by David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC Question: “After cardiac ablation procedure had been completed, attention was then turned access closure. Given large size of the transhepatic sheath required for ablation, with direct communication with the systemic vasculature, access site embolization was necessary to prevent hemorrhage on sheath withdrawal. Then after diagnostic […]