Advanced Search

General Surgery Coding Alert

Medical Necessity:

3 Steps Focus Diagnosis Coding for Your Surgical Claims

Published on Thu Nov 17, 2011

Add these tips to your ICD-9 toolbox.You won't get paid for your surgeon's work if you only focus on what he did; you also need to focus on why he did it. Choosing the right ICD-9 code tells the "why" story -- and that's the basis for demonstrating medical necessity for the procedure.Follow our experts' tips to make sure you pick the right ICD-9 code to reflect your surgeon's diagnosis documentation, and to make sure you get paid.1. Get the Big PictureThe first building block of a well-designed diagnosis coding policy is to adhere to the ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, says Tricia A. Twombly, BSN, RN, HCS-D, CHCE, senior education consultant and director of coding with Foundation Management Services in Denton, Texas. Not staying up to date with these standard rules can lead to trouble.The official guidelines are updated each year and usually are available shortly after the [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

General Surgery Coding Alert

View All