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Dermatology Coding Alert

Burn treatments:
3 Tips to Keep from Getting Burned by 16000-16030 Errors
Tip: Check documentation for mention of debridement and capture deserved reimbursemen... Read more
ICD-10:
Follow These Steps for Trouble-Free Burn Dx Coding
Codes include information on location, degree, TBSA, and cause. Knowing the type ... Read more
Reader question:
Let Tumor Type Lead Code Choice
Question: We had a case involving a melanoma re-excision of 11 cm by 3.3 cm (excised dia... Read more
Reader question:
Pinpoint POS Codes with This Quick Guide
Question: I have heard that MACs are paying close attention to our place of service (POS... Read more
Reader question:
Earn $139 With Accurate Lesion Measure
Question: One of our dermatologists reports malignant lesion excision by stating the dim... Read more
Reader Question:
Avoid ICD-9 and ICD-10 on 1 CMS-1500 Form
Question: Our physician admitted a patient in September and didn’t discharge her u... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Punch Biopsy FBR
Question: The physician used a punch biopsy to remove a thickly embedded tick from a pat... Read more
Scars:
Get Answers on Showing Medical Necessity for Scar Revisions
Tip: You may be able to report tissue transfers as a separate procedure. If you think ... Read more
ICD-10:
Practices Report Mostly Smooth Sailing Through ICD-10 Transition
Some potential issues, however, may remain to be seen. If you asked medical practices ... Read more
ICD-10:
Understand Grace Period
Check out these resources, too. You’re using ICD-10, and you’re not too su... Read more
Consultations:
These Tips Clear Your Consultation Coding Confusion
Caution: Confirm with your payer before billing as it may not follow Medicare rules. M... Read more
Reader Question:
Stick to Integumentary Codes For Wart Removal From Buccal Sulcus
Question: Our dermatologist recently removed ten lesions of verucca vulgaris from t... Read more
Reader Question:
Beware Medical Records Rules
Question: We discharged a patient due to non-payment, and one week later a new surg... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Wedge Excision on Two Sides
Question: Our dermatologist recently performed removal of the inflamed tissue adjac... Read more
Vein Treatments:
Dodge These Vein Treatment Myths for Blemish-Free Claims
Tip: Treatments can be the same for spider veins and varicose veins, but be familiar wit... Read more
ICD-10:
I83.--- Family Covers Varicose Veins of Lower Extremities
Starting Oct. 1, your options for diagnosis coding expanded from five to more than 55. ... Read more
CPT® Update:
Get the Scoop on 2 New Prolonged Services Codes You Can Use Next Year
You’ll now be able to report more than just physician time. ‘Tis the seaso... Read more
Compliance:
CMS: Improper E/M Coding Remains a Growing Problem
Part B error rate is worse this year than last. No matter where you look, you’re... Read more
Reader Question:
Reaching Out to E/M Always? Think Again
Question: Can I charge for a 99213 and a 17250 on the same day at the same visit if... Read more
Reader Question:
Make Sure Your Documentation Is In Order on Modifier 52 Claims
Question: We recently submitted a claim for reduced services because the physician ... Read more
Reader Question:
Use "Other" ICD-10 Codes With Caution
Question: If I find that a common ICD-9 code that I use doesn’t have a direct... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Multiple Wart Injections
Question: If the dermatologist injects two warts five times each, would I need to r... Read more
Skin Grafts:
Wound Size, Skin Substitutes, Site Prep, and Thickness: Your Graft Coding Questions Answered
Tip: Graft size has nothing to do with code selection, say experts. Whether it’s... Read more
ICD-10:
Check If You Are All Set to Implement ICD-10
Gear up for the fast approaching change with these 4 steps. Oct. 1 will bring the chal... Read more
I&D:
Understand the Difference Between Simple and Complicated Pilonidal I&D or Lose $90
Look for instances when you can report an additional E/M. When your dermatologist perf... Read more
Reader Question:
Stick to Integumentary Codes for Wart Removal From Buccal Sulcus
Question: Our dermatologist recently removed 10 lesions of verucca vulgaris from th... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Suture Removal
Question: Our dermatologist recently performed suture removal in the office for an ... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Test Your Mohs Coding Skills
What would you do in these clinical scenarios? Mohs is a treatment procedure for a pat... Read more
ICD-10:
CMS: For First Year, We Won't Deny Claims With Wrong ICD-10 Codes
As long as you use an ICD-10 code from the right “family,” the MAC will pay ... Read more
Coding Quiz Answers:
Location, Stage, Number of Blocks Key to Mohs Code Selection
Check your clinical solutions against our expert answers. How is your Mohs coding acum... Read more
ABNs:
Ensure Proper Payment With ABNs For Potentially Uncovered Services
ABN protocols can have residual effects on patient relations. As difficult as it might... Read more
Reader Questions:
Watch Requirements For Reporting Blister Drainage With an I&D Code
Question: Our clinician recently performed drainage of fluid that was collected in ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Skipping PFSH Can Cost You
Question: I have a claim in front of me that is giving me pause because I cannot de... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Pelvic Sebaceous Cyst
Question: What is the correct diagnosis code for a sebaceous cyst of the hip/pelvic regi... Read more
Melanoma:
Including Repair in All Melanoma Codes? Read This First
Are these coding myths causing you to leave up to $300 on the table? Melanoma accounts... Read more
ICD-10:
5 FAQs Quell Confusion on CMS's Latest ICD-10 Announcement
The one- year grace period for ICD-10 claims applies to Medicare only. If CMS’s ... Read more
Medicare Pay:
Usher Out SGR Formula - For Good
Expect new quality pay plan(s). You won’t ever have to cross your fingers again ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Tag Patient With ABN for Skin Tag Removal
Question: An established patient requested skin tag removal during another service.... Read more
Reader Questions:
Choosing New vs. Established Patient Codes
Question: What is the difference between a new and established patient, for office ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Lesion Destruction and Mole Shaving
Question: Our dermatologist destroyed 13 molluscum contagiosums and shaved a 0.4 cm mole... Read more
Corticosteroid Injections:
11900-11901 Basics: Keep Your Injection Coding On Point
Our expert answers to your frequently asked steroid questions. Intralesional injection... Read more
ICD-10:
Final Countdown: Take 6 Steps to Prepare for October ICD-10 Transition
Tip: Try ‘dual coding’ to exercise your ICD-10 abilities. With no further ... Read more
News You Can Use:
Stop Searching for X Modifier Clarification From CMS - For Now
CMS reps say you can stick with modifier 59 for the time being. When new coding direct... Read more
Compliance:
Avoid PHI Breaches With Mobile Technology
Secure passwords are just the beginning. Chances are good that at least one provider i... Read more
Reader Questions:
Provide Documentation Supporting Medical Necessity of Callus Removal
Question: Our dermatologist recently excised a callus on a patient’s foot wit... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish Facility vs. Non-Facility Fees
Question: Can you please explain whether we should use the facility global fee or t... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Hyperhidrosis
Question: What is the appropriate diagnosis code for hyperhidrosis? Wisconsin Sub... Read more
Laceration Repairs:
Don't Let Faulty Coding Cut In to Your Laceration Repair Reimbursement
Find the right answers to these clinical scenarios. Laceration repairs are among the m... Read more
ICD-10:
Options Expand for Open Wounds
New diagnosis codes will distinguish which foot and what type of wound it suffered. De... Read more
Laceration Repairs:
Check the Answers to Our Laceration Repair Scenarios
Hint: Sometimes you can add lengths – and sometimes you can’t. Are you a l... Read more
Compliance:
MACs to Start Eyeing Your POS Line Items
Place of service errors cost CMS over $33 million. The OIG’s 2015 Work Plan indi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Base Tissue Adhesive Code Selection on Payer Preference
Question: If our dermatologist used a tissue adhesive instead of placing a suture, ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Rely on 'Other' ICD-10 Codes
Question: Though there are many crosswalks between ICD-9 to ICD-10, there are many ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Multiple Cysts
Question:  A patient presents to the office with cysts all over her body. The derma... Read more
Phototherapy:
Don't Blink on Your Coding for Phototherapy for Skin Disorders
Tip: Consider an E/M code along with the procedure code for re-evaluations of the condit... Read more
ICD-10:
Look to L81 for Expanded Dyschromia Diagnoses
Get ready to describe specific conditions with new codes. Although the diagnosis codin... Read more
E/M Coding:
3 Ways Comparative Billing Reports Can Rescue Your Coding
Use the CBRs as springboards to gauge your accuracy. Your MACs are reviewing the most ... Read more
Billing:
These 6 Tips Will Transform Your Accounts Receivables
Coordinate back office and front desk staff to keep cash flow positive. You know you&r... Read more
Part B Payment:
Congress Votes to Overhaul Part B Payments
You’ll no longer face potential payment drops at the beginning of each New Year. ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Fear ICD-10 Transition
Question: I’ve been told that ICD-10 will be nearly impossible to use because... Read more
Reader Questions:
Focus on Payer Rules Governing 51 Use
Question: I have heard our coders saying that they don’t need to attach modifier 5... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Verruca Vulgaris Removal
Question:  The physician used a laser to remove five lesions of verruca vulgaris ... Read more
Lesions:
Excision Confusion Could Cost Your Practice $100
Smooth out these common myths you may encounter while coding for lesion procedures. In... Read more
ICD-10:
Meet the Next Generation of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Dx Codes
Coders who are worried about the expansion of the dermatitis diagnosis codes in ICD-10 t... Read more
Reimbursement:
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: Watch for Possible April Pay Cut
But an act of Congress can save the day. So far this year, you should be experiencing ... Read more
Compliance:
Watch Out For These HIPAA Trends In 2015
Prediction: State law claims will continue to facilitate breach lawsuits. What does 20... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish Excision, Destruction Procedures
Question: When I have a surgical report for removal of in situ basal cell carcinoma... Read more
Reader Questions:
Upfront Collection Is a Per-Practice Decision
Question: Our practice is considering collecting deductibles upfront if a patient n... Read more
Reader Questions:
Routinely Reporting E/M With 11721? Think Again
Question: If our dermatologist performs a procedure like the debridement of nails, ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Complete Pressure Ulcer
Question: An established elderly patient reports to the dermatologist for inspectio... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Can You Clear Up These Wart Removal Coding Challenges?
Check out these scenarios, then check our expert answers. For a patient, a wart can be... Read more
ICD-10:
Watch For One-to-One Crossover For Actinic Keratosis With L57.0
Hint: Use same diagnosis code for solar or senile keratosis. When your dermatologist d... Read more
Coding Quiz Answers:
Find Your Wart Removal Solutions
How did you fare with our four wart removal scenarios? Find the answers, and other exper... Read more
Medicare Errors:
Let CERT Findings Focus E/M Claims
Avoid key documentation mistakes that cost you pay. Imagine if you lost 10 percent of ... Read more
Reader Question:
Add to Your ICD-10 Know-How
Question: I’ve heard that ICD-10 doesn’t have an equivalent to V codes ... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Bill Patient for Records Transfer
Question: Our practice discharged a patient due to non-payment, and one week later ... Read more
Reader Question:
Mind Your Global Periods
Question: A patient saw our dermatologist because of an abscess, and returned for a... Read more
Reader Question:
Clear Up Patient Medicare Confusion
Question: We have a patient asking why she has to pay anything when we accept assig... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Simple Plus Intermediate Repair
Question: A patient presents with a 1.5-cm laceration of the eyebrow, and the derma... Read more
Neoplasm Coding:
Neoplasms May Be Uncertain, But Your Coding Shouldn't Be
There’s a difference between “uncertain” and “unspecified”... Read more
ICD-10:
701 Series Ends Up All Over the ICD-10 Map
New diagnosis codes for “other hypertrophic and atrophic conditions of skin”... Read more
Reimbursement:
Final Fee Schedule Confirms Phasing Out of Global Periods
Dermatology practices, prepare for a 2 percent cut to Medicare payments. When CMS anno... Read more
Billing:
Step Up Your Benefits Verification for the New Year
Don’t leave eligibility checks to the last minute or you’ll face non-payment... Read more
Reader question:
Rely on Intent to Report Skin Lesion Removal Code
Question: If our dermatologist removes a skin lesion by shaving it and we send the ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Basal Cell Carcinoma Destruction
Question: Sometimes our surgeon excises in situ basal cell carcinoma, but sometimes... Read more
Available Years:  2015  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2007  2006  2005  2004