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Home Health ICD-9/ICD-10 Alert

Coding How-To:
Part 1: Master 2 Fracture Coding Do's and Don'ts to Keep Your Claims on Track
Pop quiz: Which aftercare code should you list when your patient's fracture is treated wit... Read more
Coding 101:
Keep this Chart Close at Hand for Easy BMI Calculation
Know when it's safe to code obesity, and when you should list a code for BMI alone. The 2... Read more
ICD-10:
3 Steps Prepare You for a Smoother ICD-10 Transition
Tip: Fit in an anatomy refresher course before Oct. 2013. Do you dread the dawning of Oct... Read more
ICD-10 Training Resources
The AAPC's ICD-10 implementation page: www.aapc.com/ICD-10 The AAPC's ICD-10 FAQ: www.... Read more
ICD-9 Coding Quiz:
Are Your 2011 Diagnosis Coding Skills Up to Par?
5 questions reveal whether you need an ICD-9 brush-up. October 1 has come and gone, and th... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know this Complication Exception
Question: We have a question about completing M1024. If a post-operative episode is compl... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get the Final Word on B12 Injections
Question: Our homecare agency needs to know which diagnoses are approved for B12 injectio... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Try Your Hand with this Aftercare Scenario
Question: Our new patient is being admitted for surgical aftercare due to bladder cancer t... Read more
Audits:
3 Tips Help Audit-Proof Your Diagnosis Coding
Coding for case mix is bound to leave your claims hanging under audit. ZPIC audits are hi... Read more
Give Your Documentation a Check Up
A good rapport with clinicians in the field can help secure your coding. It's not the dia... Read more
Tools:
6 Steps Pave the Way to Audit-Hardy Coding
Precise coding doesn't require an overly-detailed coding policy. An ICD-9 coding policy c... Read more
Edits:
Edit Shoots Down Nearly All Hypertension Claims
COPD claims also see high denial rate. If you're submitting claims for long-stay patients... Read more
Survey & Request:
Tell Us What You Wish You Could Learn About Coding
We need your input to be sure each issue of Eli's Home Health ICD-9 Alert continues to ta... Read more
Reader Questions:
Dig Deep For Aftercare Codes
Question: I understand that drain care is incorporated in the routine aftercare codes, bu... Read more
Reader Questions:
Add Detail with COPD Codes
Question: I understand that in home health, we should list 491.21 (Obstructive chronic br... Read more
Reader Questions:
Work Your Way Through Different Types of Asthma
Question: What is the ICD-9 code for mild, intermittent asthma? New Hampshire Subscriber ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know When to Use V Codes with Complicated Wound
Question: Our new patient was admitted for an infected abdominal wound following colon re... Read more
ICD-9 2011 Update:
Bone Up Now on 7 Major Changes to Home Care Coding
V-code updates answer your V07 and cardiac defibrillator questions. It's that time again.... Read more
ICD-9 2011 Update:
Gain Points with 3 New Case Mix Codes
Don't list new fecal impaction code for all patients with constipation. As the ICD-9 code... Read more
Coding News:
Expect More Belt-Tightening with Hypertension Case Mix Changes
Alert: The average payment reduction is $281 per episode. As a coder, you know that hype... Read more
ICD-9 2011 Update:
Checklist Helps You Prep Fast For This Year's ICD-9 Changes
Fewer changes this year signal that ICD-10 preparations are under way. Each year, the ICD... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Focus Strong to Find Your Weakness Code
Question: How do we know which ICD-9 code to list for generalized weakness in the Medicar... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get the Pneumonia Low-Down
Question: What is the difference between "lobar pneumonia" and "lobular pneumonia?" When ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Same HTN Code for Uncontrolled/Controlled
Question: Does ICD-9 distinguish controlled and uncontrolled hypertension (HTN)? Wisconsi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Count on Combo Code for Heart/Kidney Disease
Question: If documentation shows hypertensive heart disease and hypertensive kidney disea... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Mind Your Ulcer Sequencing
Question: Our new patient has type I diabetes (not stated as uncontrolled). He was admitt... Read more
Coding How-To:
5 Steps Guide Your Way with Therapy Coding and Case Mix
Fracture care won't always earn case mix points. You may be able to earn case mix points ... Read more
Get a Quick Refresher on M1024
The OASIS has changed over the years and the case mix coding guidelines have changed with ... Read more
Coding News:
2011 Could be the End for One Common Case Mix Diagnosis
Hypertension doesn’t add resource requirements, CMS says. Say goodbye to case mi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know the Difference Between MRA and MRI
Question: Now that we must code inpatient procedures from Volume III of the ICD-9 manual ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Sequencing Straight with CKD, HTN, Diabetes
Question: Our new patient has diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension (HTN... Read more
Reader Questions:
Sort Out This Pressure Ulcer Riddle
Question: If a patient has multiple pressure ulcers such as stage IV to sacrum, buttock a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Nix Repetitive Codes with Pressure Ulcers
Question: I have read that stage III and stage IV ulcers should remain on the patient's c... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look to Late Effects For Respiratory Insufficiency After CVA
Question: Regarding the use of 518.5 Respiratory insufficiency following trauma and surge... Read more
Reader Questions:
Check the Notes When Coding Surgical Complications
Question: I would like to know how to code drop foot, secondary to spinal surgery. Would ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know the Cause to Code Hematoma
Question: We are providing care for an elderly male patient who has a hematoma on his leg... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Try This Wound Coding Workout
Choose the right aftercare code for fractures repaired by joint replacements. Last month'... Read more
ICD-9 2011:
Prepare for New Fluid Overload, Incontinence,and Seizure Codes with the 2011 ICD-9 Update
Get physician documentation before you report the new morbid obesity codes. Come October ... Read more
ICD-10:
Prepare for More Characters and More Excludes with ICD-10
Add these 4 items to your ICD training checklist and bring staff on board early. You... Read more
Coding How-To:
4 Questions Clear the Way to Better Wound Coding
Determine the cause  of each wound to hit the diagnosis nail on the head every time.... Read more
Clear up Wound Coding Confusion
Coding for any patient can present some twists and turns along the path to the correct cod... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look Beyond Follow-Up Codes for Chemo
Question: In our home health program we often care for patients who are receiving chemoth... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get the Documentation on Diabetic Assumptions
Question: I have read in your publication that "coding guidelines allow you to assume tha... Read more
Reader Questions:
300.29 Is Best Diagnosis for Emetophobia
Question: What diagnosis code applies to "emetophobia," the fear of vomiting? -- Vir... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember Primary Diagnosis Code for These Diabetics
Question: I am coding a claim that includes the following: "secondary diabetes w/ renal m... Read more
Reader Questions:
Anemia or Underlying Disease? You Decide
Question: Our patient with mild (stage II) chronic kidney disease (CKD) has also been dia... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Pair Up Codes for Diabetic Manifestations
Question: Our 72-year-old male patient with uncontrolled type II diabetes and diminished ... Read more
Conquering Case Mix:
M1024 Giving You Headaches? Take This Pain-free Approach to Case Mix
Know three situations when you should complete M1024. Sometimes the instructions provided... Read more
Coding 101:
Banish Four Common Diabetes Coding Mistakes to Safeguard Your Reimbursement
Remember to list V58.67 for type II patients on insulin. As a home care coder, diabetes m... Read more
ICD-10:
Home Health Won't Get an ICD-10 Reprieve
Providers who don't make the transition won't get paid, vendors warn. Are your ICD-10 pre... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use These Aftercare Codes for Appendectomy
Question: Our new patient had a ruptured appendix with a peritoneal abscess. His appendix... Read more
Reader Questions:
Gather Details for Neuropathic Pain
Question: Would you please elaborate on the correct decision-making process for looking u... Read more
Reader Questions:
Pair Up Codes for Postpancreatectomy Diabetes
Question: Our new patient has diabetic polyneuropathy and diabetic ulcers on her toes. Th... Read more
Reader Questions:
Sequence Late Effects Correctly
Question: Our seventy-four-year-old patient was involved in a motor vehicle accident and ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Complicated Wound Nixes M1024
Question: Our elderly patient was mowing his lawn and ran over a wire hanger. The hanger ... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Keep Tabs on When to Report a Closed Pressure Ulcer
Question: We are providing wound care for a new patient with multiple pressure ulcers. He... Read more
Coding How-To:
Use 2 Tips to Ace Your Aftercare Coding
Case mix codes in M1024 don't always bring case mix points. When caring for a patient fol... Read more
ICD-9 2011:
Welcome Detailed H1N1 Pneumonia Combination Codes with 2011 ICD-9 Update
New fluency disorder, cystostomy complication codes proposed for Oct 1. It's that time of... Read more
Coding Tip:
Are You Making These Common Aftercare Coding Errors?
Who has more visits? It doesn't matter with V57.x. Following the steps to code for afterc... Read more
Coding 101:
Get the Skinny on Symptom Coding
Read sequencing instructions to catch exceptions to the symptom coding rule. You've heard... Read more
Banish Symptom Coding Confusion with these Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when deciding whether to code for a symptom, says Judy Adams, RN, ... Read more
Education:
Master OASIS C Coding Intricacies
Check out this audioconference for the latest coding news. Get vital information from ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get to the Root of Charcot Foot Diagnosis
Question: Our new patient has "Charcot foot" that requires treatment. The main cause of t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know the Facts on Hypercoagulable States
Question: We recently discovered an ICD-9 diagnosis code that we are hoping is appropriat... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Try Your Hand at This Complicated Scenario
Question: Our new patient was discharged from the hospital after an exacerbation of her a... Read more
Coding 101:
Give Your Outcomes a Boost with Savvy ROC Coding
Here's how to demonstrate medical necessity and come out on top under medical review. Acc... Read more
Coding Tip:
Take This CHF Coding Tip to Heart
Don't always list CHF in M1020, M1022. You'll only answer M1500 (Symptoms in heart failur... Read more
Coding How-To:
Nail the Ins and Outs of Inpatient Procedure Codes
The 14-day rule may not measure what you think it does. Now that OASIS C has been around ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Nix V Codes When Things Get Complicated
Question: Our patient was referred for care of an abdominal surgical wound that dehisced ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Differentiate NOS From NEC
Question: Could you please clarify the difference between the ICD-9 diagnosis code notati... Read more
Reader Questions:
No Rolling Implementation For ICD-10
Question: I've heard that the Oct. 1, 2013 ICD-10 implementation date will vary -- t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get The Guidelines For Coding Co-Morbidities
Question: I recently read in your publication that if the diagnosis of a co-morbidity may... Read more
Reader Questions:
Take Another Look At New Estrogen Codes
Question: It was my understanding that if a patient completed all treatment for breast ca... Read more
You Be The Coder:
List Details for Infected Ulcers
Question: Our new patient was admitted for surgical aftercare of a hip joint replacement ... Read more
CODING 101:
LAST BUT NOT LEAST: DON'T SACRIFICE ACCURACY WITH THE FIFTH DIGIT
Taking the lazy way out with the last digit can cost your agency time and money. If you d... Read more
DON'T MAKE THESE COMMON FIFTH DIGIT MISTAKES
Coders who take the following codingshortcuts can expect claim rejections or questions: â€... Read more
CODING HOW-TO:
STEP UP OASIS C ACCURACY TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR EXPERTISE
Combine correct coding with OASIS C accuracy for maximum payoff. With all the focus on OA... Read more
CODING TIP:
SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW TO SHOW YOUR VALUE
Do things right the first time and prevent future headaches. As a home health coder, one ... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Find the Missing OASIS Tables
Question: Where are the new OASIS Table 2a,Table 2b and Table 4? I read that the old Tabl... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Keep a Sharp Eye on Observation Codes
Question: Can you explain the wording in the Index for categories V29 (Observation and ev... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Gather Details for Retinopathy
Question: How should I code for a patient with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy? --&... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Take a Swing at Golfer's Elbow
Question: What is the appropriate ICD-9 code for golfer's elbow? -- South Carolina S... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Note Details for Thrombosis
Question: For a patient with end stage renal disease,what is the appropriate ICD-9 code f... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Know When Diagnoses Make History
Question: At what point should I report a "history of" code instead of the actual cancer ... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Code Thoroughly for Pacemaker with Defibrillator
Question: When a patient has a "pacemaker with defibrillator," should we list V45.01 (Car... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Be Thorough with MRSA Coding
Question: Our patient had hip joint replacement surgery. The joint has become infected wi... Read more
YOU BE THE CODER:
FOLLOW THE CLUES TO CODE FOURNIER'S GANGRENE
Question: How would you code Fournier's gangrene in a female patient? The Index to Diseas... Read more
PART 2:
END THESE NAGGING QUESTIONS -- NAIL DOWN WHEN TO REPORT RESOLVED DIAGNOSES AND E CODES
Keep sequencing accurate or risk reimbursement. The ICD-9 coding guidelines advise agains... Read more
CLIP AND SAVE:
Keep Track of Non Routine Supply Points with this Chart
Proper sequencing can boost your reimbursement. If you're confused about how to calculate... Read more
ICD-10 STRATEGIES:
Follow These 4 Tips to Smooth YourICD-10 Transition
Coders may need as much as 80 hours of training to get ready. The 2013 deadline for movin... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Resolve This DJD Coding Issue
Question: Where would I list 715.35 (Osteoarthrosis, localized, not specified whether pri... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Look To 536.4x for Gastrostomy Complications
Question: Our patient has esophageal cancer. He had a g-tube placed in preparation for ra... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Keep Diagnoses in Order for Lyme Disease
Question: Our patient has Lyme disease and is receiving receiving intramuscular Biaxin. W... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Distinguish Neoplasm Site from Morphology
Question: The coding quiz in your January 2010 issue included the following question: Whi... Read more
YOU BE THE CODER:
Know How To Pair Up Diabetic Manifestations
Question: Our patient has multiple diabetic ulcers on his toes, congestive heart failure ... Read more
CODING 101:
Breathe Easier When Selecting Pulmonary Diagnoses
Obstructive chronic bronchitis covers more conditions than you might expect. Correctly re... Read more
CODING HOW-TO:
Part 1: Get The Bottom Line On Your Toughest Diagnoses Coding Questions
Are you sure you're up to date on the instructions for completing M1024? As a home health... Read more
FIND OUT WHY COMPLETING M1024 IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN EVER
You choose your diagnosis codes based on the focus of care and the other pertinent diagnos... Read more
ICD-10:
PREPARE FOR ICD-10 OR PAY THE PRICE
With ICD-10's 200 diabetes codes, just one code reports both the diabetes and the manifes... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Dehisced Wound Or Pressure Ulcer
Question: We have a patient who was admitted to service following a revision of a pedicle... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Look To Cause For Bruise Coding
Question: What is the ICD-9 code for "easy bruising"? - Illinois Subscriber Answer: ... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Code Differently for Transplant Complication
Question: In the Nov. 2009 issue of Home Health ICD-9 Alert, there was a question regardi... Read more
YOU BE THE CODER:
CODE THOROUGHLY FOR PRESSURE ULCERS
Question: Our patient is receiving wound care for multiple pressure ulcers. He has a stag... Read more
Fine Tune Your Wound Care Coding With 4 Expert Tips
You might be able to see down to the patient's bone, but you can't assume you have a trau... Read more
CODING QUIZ:
Give Your 2010 Coding Skills A Quick Check Up
4 questions show whether you need an ICD-9 brush-up. Keeping up with new codes, new guide... Read more
CODING HOW-TOGather Details For Gouty Arthropathy
Know the difference between acute and chronic to choose the right code. If you're still l... Read more
READER QUESTIONS :
Know When to Include a 948.xx Code For Burns
Question: When I am coding the diagnoses for burn victims, do I need to include a code fr... Read more
READER QUESTIONS :
Verify Disease Status for DJD Diagnosis
Question: What is the correct diagnosis for patients with degenerative joint disease of t... Read more
READER QUESTIONS :
You Have Go Ahead for 488.1
Question: I heard that we couldn't use the diagnosis code for novel H1N1 until some futur... Read more
READER QUESTIONS :
Mind These Words in OASIS C
Question: When I read through the OASIS C items, I see that some questions contain "e.g.,... Read more
YOU BE THE CODER:
Watch V Codes With Complicated Wound
Question: We are caring for a 60-year-old woman with Type II diabetes who had an above-kn... Read more
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