ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: I am new to ED coding, and I was wondering what types of resources I should keep handy while I am looking at claims.

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: As you code for your physician, you should have a number of resources at your disposal, including the following, among others:

- Up-to-date coding manuals, including CPT, ICD-9-CM and HCPCS

- Group-specific coding manual with approved polices and procedures consistent with your internal compliance plan

- ED coding publications and e-mail discussion groups (for example, www.coding911.com)

- CMS, Medicare and other payer Web sites for LMRPs, NCDs, etc. (www.cms.gov, for instance)

- Medical dictionaries

- Online clinical information (like www.medlineplus.gov)

- Anatomy guide.