What’s New!

By Dr. Richard Pinson, MD, FACP, CCS As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed and evolved, it has been recognized that patients may experience a wide range of symptoms and complications after recovery from acute illness. Some aspects of this recovery may be unique to COVID-19, but many appear to be similar to recovery from other […]

by David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC Question: If more than one abscess drain is placed within a large, loculated abscess, can you code 49406 and 49406-XS or can you just code for one abscess drainage? Answer: We would recommend one. Loculations can be broken up with catheters or wires. Large abscesses […]

By Dr. Richard Pinson, MD, FACP, CCS Q: What diagnoses could be compliantly used when a patient comes to the ICU on a ventilator from surgery and needs some more time to let the anesthesia wear off from a long OR time? A: Any diagnosis submitted on a claim must meet the test of “clinical […]

by Rebecca Harmon, MPM, RHIA, CCA The option to work remotely seems like a dream come true for many of us. No rush hour traffic, some extra sleep, no dress code (sweatpants anyone?) and it saves a ton of money in gas. What’s not to love!? There’s a LOT to love about the option of […]

  ICD-10-PCS: Lap-Assisted vs. Laparoscopic Sigmoidectomy This LibmanLightbox, by nationally recognized coding authority Lynn Kuehn, MS, RHIA, CCS-P, FAHIMA, focuses on application of ICD-10-PCS Guidelines B5.2a, B5.2b and B3.2d on the approach value, using three different surgical techniques for a sigmoidectomy to address diverticulitis as the example.   Short bursts of learning to illuminate current […]

by Rose T. Dunn, MBA, RHIA, CPA, CHPS, FACHE, FHFMA In December I posted a blog after reading Merrill Goozner’s GoozNews on CMS’s proposal to adopt a common prior authorization form. I agreed with Merrill when he stated that the proposal was problematic in that it did not apply to Medicaid or to the rapidly growing […]

By Dr. Richard Pinson, MD, FACP, CCS Question: Is a query for the organism necessary for a patient with a UTI and urine culture positive E. coli in the outpatient setting? Can it be coded directly from the lab report or must the provider specify E. coli as the cause? Answer: The Official Coding Guidelines […]

By Nirmala Sivakumar, CCS, CDIP Impairment Group Code (IGC) in Inpatient rehab is the primary reason for admission, and etiologic diagnosis is the problem that led to this condition. There are 17 categories of IGC, with subcategories within. IGC of 16, Debility is generally used for patients that are admitted to inpatient rehab for general […]

by Stacy Swartz, RHIA, CCS, CPC Coding is not a one-size-fits-all occupation and experienced coders tend to focus their skills in one or more areas: inpatient vs. outpatient, Pro Fee vs. facility, and the vast range of medical specialties and care settings. It is vital to employ coders who are experienced in the type of […]

by Cari A. Greenwood, RHIA, CCS, CPC, CICA Healthcare delivery is not a static enterprise. The development of new procedures and the discovery of new diseases requires the introduction of new codes and sometimes new coding guidelines. The regulatory environment changes in significant and minor ways every year. Our complex reimbursement system, auditors and the […]

by David Zielske, MD, CIRCC, COC, CCVTC, CCC, CCS, RCC Question: The patient was placed on the CT scanner in the supine position. Initial CT images of the upper abdomen were obtained. Automated exposure control was utilized. The skin overlying the liver was prepped and draped in the standard sterile fashion. Under CT guidance 3 […]

by Barry Libman, MS, RHIA, CCS, Libman Education The impact of the pandemic on healthcare organizations and our HIM profession over the past ten months has been significant. I am taking this moment to offer a word of encouragement. Our organizations have always counted on HIM professionals to do what needs to be done. We […]

by Rose T. Dunn, MBA, RHIA, CPA, CHPS, FACHE, FHFMA Information in this article has been revised here. An excellent column in the excellent newsletter by Merrill Goozner, GoozNews, has hit the nail on the head. The article describes CMS’s recent proposal to require insurers adopt a common prior authorization form and switch to fully […]

by Stacy Swartz, RHIA, CCS, CPC In healthcare, an industry of constant evolution, there is absolutely no way to succeed without ongoing, continuous education. Coders require yearly training to remain current with annual changes to the coding systems and coding advice, changes to what is captured by coders (data for quality measures, risk adjustment, etc.) […]