Advanced Search

Home Health & Hospice Week

Diagnosis Coding:

Use These 3 Tips To Ramp Up On Hospice Coding

Published on Thu Jul 26, 2012

Pointer: You don't necessarily have to hire a credentialed coder.Hospices that haven't been complying with regulatory requirements to list all related diagnoses on the claim need to get up to speed on the topic pronto -- preferably before the diagnoses start impacting payment. Follow this advice from coding expert Lisa Selman-Holman with Selman-Holman & Associates and CoDR -- Coding Done Right in Denton, Texas to bone up on your hospice coding requirements:1. Designate your coder. Whether you use an already-qualified coder or find someone who is willing to learn the skill, you need to designate a person responsible for coding in your organization.2. Seek out education. Your coder can start learning the basics by reading the ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, which are available from the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd9/icd9cm_guidelines_2011.pdf. Then she should take some classes on the topic.Don't expect much help from Medicare on this issue. [...]
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

Home Health & Hospice Week

View All