Advanced Search

Home Health ICD-9/ICD-10 Alert

Coding 101:
Let 3 Questions Guide Your Diabetes Coding
Mind the etiology/manifestation sequencing guidelines. Your patient’s diabetes i... Read more
Know the Points for Diabetes
Diabetes is a case mix diagnosis, allowing you to earn additional reimbursement. But you... Read more
Coding How To:
Take Care with Diabetic Assumptions
Know when to look for cause-and-effect documentation. While you generally can’t ... Read more
ICD-10:
Navigate the Alphabetic Index Carefully for Diabetes in ICD-10
Welcome five more specific diabetes categories. Diabetes coding gets a thorough make-o... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Prep Your Budget -- and Your Software -- for the ICD-10 Conversion
Caps lock is one thing you won’t have to worry about under ICD-10. If you’... Read more
ICD-10 Coverage
You’ve probably noticed our new name, Home Health ICD-9/ICD-10 Alert. We’ve ... Read more
Reader Question:
Specificity Pays Off with Osteoarthrosis
Question: Our patient has osteoarthrosis of the knees and the hips. We will be prov... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to Aftercare for Pathologic Fracture
Question: Our patient has a healing pathologic fracture of her right femur due to s... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Report Details for Non-Healing Amputation
Question: Mrs. White, an 89-year-old female was admitted to home health following a... Read more
Conquering Case Mix:
Case Mix Codes on the Chopping Block
Get the details on these diagnosis coding cuts. Losing several of the codes the Center... Read more
Coding 101:
Spiff Up Your CVA Coding
Two guidelines lead the way to late effect coding accuracy. Coding for strokes or cere... Read more
Hospice Coding:
Are You Making this Common Hospice Stroke Coding Mistake?
Look to the 438.xx codes for complications. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Se... Read more
ICD-10:
Try Your Hand at this ICD-10 CVA Sequelae Coding Scenario
Take note of new dominant side guidelines. Coding for the sequelae (or late effects) o... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider ICD-10 Options for CHF Patient
Question: Our patient was admitted to home health with a principal diagnosis of congesti... Read more
Reader Question:
Here's What You Can Do to Get Ready for ICD-10
Question: What should we be doing now to prepare for the ICD-10 transition?   A... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Thoroughly for Infected Vein Graft Site
Question: Our patient has a diagnosis of internal dehiscence of an infected vein graft s... Read more
Coding 101:
Don't Make This Open Wound Mistake
A referral for care of an ‘open wound’ isn’t always what it seems. O... Read more
Ask the Right Questions to Find Wound Codes
To help ensure you select the right code for your patient’s wound, make sure to as... Read more
ICD-10:
Watch for More Open Wound Options in ICD-10
Big changes include seventh characters and increased specificity. Coding for open woun... Read more
Home Health Reimbursement:
Prepare for Fewer Case Mix Codes in 2014
Watch for edits on claims with “inappropriate” diagnosis codes. Case mix ... Read more
Reader Question:
Follow Sequencing Rules with Poisonings
Question: Our patient was difficult to rouse and was extremely drowsy due to an unintent... Read more
Reader Question:
Read the Notes for CVA Late Effects
Question: Our patient is experiencing blurred vision as a late effect of stroke. How sho... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Take Advantage of Sequencing Leeway with Status Codes
Question: I’m coding the start of care (SOC) on a patient who was admitted for phy... Read more
ICD-10:
Pave the Way for ICD-10 Fracture Coding Changes
When it comes to ICD-10-CM coding, fractures are one of the areas where you’ll see... Read more
Don't Give Up Aftercare Entirely
Take note of injury cause to choose the right code. While the ICD-10-CM code set does ... Read more
Hospice Coding:
Mind Sequencing Rules When Coding Dementia Diagnoses
Always follow coding guidelines to ensure accuracy. The Centers for Medicare & Med... Read more
OASIS:
Keep an Eye on OASIS-C1 Diagnosis Coding Item Changes
Will the ‘payment diagnosis’ item thwart death yet again? Just as the OASI... Read more
What is Dementia?
Understand the characteristics behind the diagnosis. Dementia is classified as a p... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Skimp on Dementia Details
Question: The physician documents that our patient has aggressive behavior due to dement... Read more
Reader Question:
Get Specific with Wound Coding
Question: Our patient has an open wound on her right lower leg. The surrounding tissue i... Read more
Reader Question:
Read the Notes with LUTS
Question: Our patient has returned home after a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Watch Fourth and Fifth Characters with Schizophrenia
Question: Our 68 year old female patient is a newly diagnosed diabetic and has been plac... Read more
ICD-10:
Put External Cause Coding on Pause
Your ICD-10 transition plans just got a little easier. If you’ve been boning up ... Read more
Look to Coding Guidelines for Accurate Code Choices
LCDs provide guidance, but they don’t trump official guidelines. Inexperienced c... Read more
Coding 101:
Does Your Coding Policy Cover all the Bases?
Documentation cross-checks can prevent errors. Establishing an ICD-9 coding policy hel... Read more
Hospice Coding:
Dig Into These Details on Banned Hospice Diagnoses
Make sure you know these key definitions. The proposed rule for 2014 hospice payment r... Read more
Know Debility, AFTT Definitions
Look to comorbidities that contribute to terminal status. “‘Debility&rsquo... Read more
Reader Question:
Get These Dates Straight for ICD-10 Coding
Question: How will we handle diagnosis codes on claims that span the Oct. 1, 2014 implem... Read more
Reader Question:
Know These Key ICD-10 Differences
Question: What are the main differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10?   South Carol... Read more
Reader Question:
Follow Sequencing Rules with Diabetic Nephropathy, Hypertension
Question: How should I code for a patient with principal diagnosis of diabetic nephropat... Read more
Reader Question:
Take a Peek at ICD-10 External Cause Coding
Question: I’m wondering what external cause coding will look like in ICD-10. Could... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Adjust Your Resolved Condition Reporting
Question: Our patient was admitted to the hospital for acute appendicitis. He had an app... Read more
Coding How-To:
Keep Close Watch on Non-Diagnosis Case Mix Items
M1024 changes shine a spotlight on OASIS accuracy. By now you’re well aware tha... Read more
ICD-10:
Debunk these ICD-10 Myths and Mysteries
Aftercare codes won’t be a thing of the past in ICD-10. With the healthcare ind... Read more
Hospice Coding:
Know Why Hospice Coding Matters
Conditions of participation, claims processing requirements, and coding guidelines agree... Read more
OASIS News:
Prepare for a New OASIS
Diagnosis coding items are slated for a make-over. Just when you were settling in to O... Read more
Reader Question:
Drill Down to Focus of Care with Neoplasm Related Pain
Question: We have a hospice patient who has inoperable cancer of the medulla oblongata o... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep Your ICD-10 Transition On-Track
Question: I’m not sure if we’re in line for implementing ICD-10 by the Octob... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Correctly with Falls and Fractures
Question: Our patient is a 75 year old lady who has a history of hypertension and no oth... Read more
Coding How-To:
Don't Shortchange Yourself by Assuming a Condition is Resolved
Surgery doesn’t necessarily cure cancer. Not all the diagnosis coding errors you... Read more
Coding 101:
Keep Low Vision Diagnoses from Clouding Your Claims
Steer clear of this OASIS/diagnosis coding assumption. When your patient scores as hav... Read more
ICD-10 Coverage
Our name may still be Home Health ICD-9 Alert, but we’re here to help with your IC... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Avoid a Shock: Start Acclimating to ICD-10 Now
Say ‘so long’ to V57.x confusion. Preparing for ICD-10 is like getting a n... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Get Ready to Add More Information to Burn Coding
ICD-10 will keep additional TBSA code. The steps you’ll take to code for burns i... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Assume with Seemingly Related Conditions
Question: Can I assume an association for coding purposes when two conditions are listed... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep Diagnoses in Order with Therapy Patient
Question: Our new patient has difficulty ambulating and weakness due to her lumbosacral ... Read more
Reader Question:
Simplify Complicated Wound Coding
Question: We have had patients who were receiving care for trauma wounds that didn&rsquo... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Thoroughly for Low Vision and CHF
Question: Our new patient is an 81 year-old gentleman referred to home health following ... Read more
Coding How-To:
Avoid these Diagnosis Red Flags to Safeguard your Claims
Pay careful attention to physician documentation when coding. The diagnoses you report... Read more
Tool:
Check Your Codes Against OASIS Responses for Greater Accuracy
Don’t forget etiology when listing a low vision diagnosis. Before you finalize y... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Streamline Your Pressure Ulcer Coding in ICD-10
More codes provide greater specificity and fewer unreported pressure ulcers. Coding f... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep Good Documentation when Reporting Muscle Weakness
Question: Our patient has chronic renal failure and was on peritoneal dialysis. She went... Read more
Reader Question:
Put the Kibosh on Resolved Conditions in M1024
Question: We are providing skilled nursing and physical therapy for our new patient foll... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Shortchange Yourself with Osteomyelitis Care
Question: Our new patient has Osteomyelitis caused by Staph aureus at the sternoclavicul... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Correctly for Multiple Respiratory Issues
Question: Our new patient is a 72 year-old lady referred to home health following hospit... Read more
Coding How-To:
Watch for OASIS and Coding Interaction with Neuro 1 Diagnoses
You can earn cumulative points when your patient has multiple functional deficits. Wit... Read more
OASIS:
Consider these Assessment Tips to Harness OASIS Synergy
Are you missing out on Neuro 1 case mix points? Answering the OASIS items associated w... Read more
PPS 2013:
Try These Techniques for Preventing Case Mix Loss
Bone up on disease processes to make sure you aren’t missing out on reimbursement.... Read more
Education:
Get Expert Tips on Vital Coding and Documentation Strategies
Are your claims waving a red flag? If you’re like many HHAs, you’re rushin... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Make Accurate Coding a Priority to Ease Your ICD-10 Transition
Does your agency understand the value of seasoned coders? As you ramp up your ICD-10 p... Read more
ICD-10 Coverage
Our name may still be Home Health ICD-9 Alert, but we’re here to help with your IC... Read more
Reader Question:
Take Note of Varying 'Open Wound' Definitions
Question: Our patient was hit by a metal shovel on his lower leg and suffered a deep lac... Read more
Reader Question:
Start from the Top with Neoplasm Diagnosis
Question: Our patient has been diagnosed with soft tissue Ewing’s sarcoma of the l... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Thoroughly for Hypertension, Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease
Question: Our new patient is an 80 year-old gentleman referred to home health following ... Read more
Coding How-To:
Tune-Up Your M1024 Coding with These Expert Tips
Say goodbye to M1024 as you knew it and hello to new sequencing considerations. Learni... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Will You be Ready for ICD-10?
Transition preparation highlights the need for experienced coders. The ICD-10 transit... Read more
ICD-10 Preparation:
Get Your Feet Wet with These ICD-10 Conventions
 You’ll be happy to find that some ICD-9 logic transfers to ICD-10.  &... Read more
Reader Question:
List Fractures in M1024
Question: Our patient was admitted for home care following an open reduction with intern... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Clinical Judgment with Multiple Focuses of Care
Question: Our patient was admitted to home care after a myocardial infarction three week... Read more
Reader Question:
Be Proactive With Software Glitches
Question: Our OASIS data collection software auto-populates or forces certain diagnosis ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Mind Your Sequencing with CKD, HTN, DM
Question: We are providing skilled nursing for observation and assessment of a 75-year-o... Read more
Coding 101:
Master Infected Surgical Wound Coding in 3 Steps
Ditch the dressings V code with infected wounds. Coding for an infected surgical wound... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
ICD-10: Seven Digit ICD-10 Codes Mirror ICD-9 for Infected Surgical Wounds
Remember to list an additional code to describe the infection. The codes you report fo... Read more
Hospice Coding:
Bolster Hospice Claims with Thorough Coding
Could a hospice case mix adjustment system be in your future? Your hospice claims cont... Read more
PPS 2013:
Brace Yourself: CMS Moves Forward with M1024 Changes
PPS 2013 clarifies and changes resolved condition reporting. Come Jan. 1, the way you ... Read more
Reader Question:
Watch for Changes with Neuro Codes
Question: Our new patient was admitted to home care after being discharged from the hosp... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Clear Up Infected Pressure Ulcer Coding
Question: Our patient was admitted to home health for wound care to a Stage IV pressure ... Read more
Conquering Case Mix:
Garner Case Mix Points and Avoid Denials for Psych Diagnoses
Don't count on OASIS responses to guide the way to diagnoses.Coding for your patients' psy... Read more
Table:
Tally Case Mix Points for Psych Diagnoses
Tally Case Mix Points for Psych DiagnosesYou can earn additional case mix points for patie... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
5 Tips Pave Your Way to Sequela Coding in ICD-10
Remember this sequencing rule and its exceptions.You may know your way around late effects... Read more
Reader Question:
Report Proximate Cause for MS Patient
Question: Our patient has had multiple sclerosis for 13 years. We see her for management o... Read more
Reader Question:
Details Count with Septic Knee
Question: Our patient had arthroscopic surgery to repair a traumatic knee injury a month a... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to Symptoms for TIA Monitoring
Question: We are caring for a patient who has been experiencing vertigo and confusion. We ... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep V Codes Straight for Traumatic Injury
Question: Our new patient has returned home after suffering several falls and sustaining b... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Try Your Hand at These Psych Diagnosis Scenarios
Question 1: Our patient was admitted for management of congestive heart failure (CHF). She... Read more
Available Years:  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004