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Inpatient Facility Coding & Compliance Alert

Compliance:
Brush Up On Your 'Three-Day Payment Window' Knowledge
Check behind physicians to ensure correct reimbursement rates.   Medicare im... Read more
2013 Fee Schedule:
Catch These Changes to ED Coding Under 2013 Medicare Fee Schedule
 Tip: Pay special attention to PQRS, telehealth updates.   Medicare codin... Read more
ICD-10-PCS:
4 Simple Steps Point You to the Device Value for PCS Code's Character 6
Bonus: Tackle this combination of materials special case. To complete your seven char... Read more
Reader Question:
Yes, You Can Bill for Back-to-Back Observation and Subsequent Care - Sometimes
Question: A patient was admitted to outpatient observation and remained there for two da... Read more
Reader Question:
Steer Clear of Separate Fees for PACU Monitoring
Question:  Can a critical access hospital (CAH) bill for nurses monitoring a patien... Read more
Reader Question:
Narrow Your Choices for Hydrocephalus Diagnosis and Treatment
Question: The surgeon placed a shunt to treat a patient’s hydrocephalus. How shoul... Read more
Reader Question:
An Inpatient Is Always an Inpatient for POS
Question: One of my coworkers heard that some Medicare rules have changed regarding... Read more
Reader Question:
Start With 652.21 for Breech Delivery, Then Report Other Factors
Question: A 36-year-old pregnant female, primigravida, was admitted at 42 weeks of gesta... Read more
You Be the Coder:
How to Handle Initial and Subsequent Day Coding
   Question: Do we need to report an initial hospital care code from 99221-9... Read more
IPPS 2013:
Watch for New HACs, Modified MS-DRGs for 2013
Tip: Pay special attention to qualifying secondary dx for SSI following CCID. CMS didn... Read more
Compliance:
CMS Steps Up Electronic Records Scrutiny to Stop Overpayments
Tip: Pay special attention to your E/M service coding for ER and clinics. Using electr... Read more
ICD-10-PCS:
Here's Why Notes Like "Right Carotid Endarterectomy" Won't Pass Muster in 2014
Heads up: Coders will need to know even if the physician doesn’t use a device. I... Read more
HIPAA:
Get the Patient Info You Need While Staying Compliant
Follow these expert tips to keep your patients happy while ensuring your facility gets p... Read more
Reader Question:
Remember 'With Contrast' Refers to IV, Not Other Methods
   Question: What does CPT® consider included in "contrast" in... Read more
Reader Question:
Look at 320 for Radiology Revenue Code
Question: What is the appropriate revenue code for procedures our outpatient center woul... Read more
Reader Question:
Some Critical Care Time Can Be Non-Face to Face
Question: Our ED physician received a call from a rural hospital looking to transfer a p... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Whether Asking for 'Grade' Details Will Affect CC or MCC
Question: Many of the physicians at our hospital document "grade" patient inju... Read more
Reader Question:
Focus on Volume 3 Codes for Inpatient, Not CPT®
Question: I’ve coded anesthesia and outpatient services for years, and now am lear... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Correctly Handling the Bill for Free Supplies
   Question: Our surgery department sometimes gets medical device packages f... Read more
Coding Strategies:
Get Answers to Your Top Condition Code 44 Questions
Take this primer and stay clear of RACs by correctly classifying patients. If you're fuzzy... Read more
Breaking News:
Don't Be Surprised if Quality Measures Crop Up in Contract Negotiations
BCBS gives hospital incentives to better manage patients. Contracts between hospitals and ... Read more
Compliance:
Safeguard Your Facility From HIPAA Security Sabotage
Key: Make sure your business partners are on the up-and-up. How far does your facility go ... Read more
ICD-10-PCS:
Study 7 Options When Assigning Your PCS Code's 5th Character
Tip: Focus on the physician's approach to make the right selection. As hospital staff and ... Read more
Reader Question:
Yes, ESRD and CHF Can Share Primary Diagnosis Spot
Question: A patient was admitted with fluid overload. He has ESRD (end stage renal disease... Read more
Reader Question:
Combine All Chart Information When Verifying Inpatient Status
Question: The nursing staff sometimes documents things on the patient chart that the phy... Read more
Reader Question:
DNR Status Alone Doesn't Lead to Critical Care Codes
Question: We've heard that the patient code status (DNR, DNI, full code) is one of t... Read more
Reader Question:
Begin With 99284 for Sickle Cell Patient Admitted Through ED
Question: A patient's husband brought her to the ED because of chest pain; previous record... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know What Supports Inpatient Rehab Care
Question: I'll be transferring from our acute care facility to work in our inpatient... Read more
Procedures:
Coding for Closed Lung Biopsy? Start by Focusing on the Site
Recent RAC audits showed that coding for closed biopsy of the lung is a hot button for man... Read more
Reader Questions:
No Connection Between UTI and Catheter? Check out 599.0
Question: An 8-year-old female was admitted with general weakness. She said her Foley cath... Read more
Reader Questions:
Venipuncture Is Considered Revenue Code 0300
Question: Our facility is considering incorporating a draw fee for our lab. How would we b... Read more
CMS IPPS Final – and Proposed - Rules Boost Bottom Line
Hospitals began 2012 on a good note reimbursement-wise, thanks to the FFY 2012 operating r... Read more
New Government Partnership Targets Healthcare Fraud
The Obama administration recently announced the launch of a partnership among the federal ... Read more
Monitoring Status Marks Whether Observation with Infusion Is OK
Coding for hospital observation services comes with some unique challenges, especially whe... Read more
Reader Questions:
List 4 Codes for Complete Picture of Septic Shock
Question: I have trouble distinguishing between sepsis, septicemia, and similar conditions... Read more
Reader Questions:
Steer Clear of Blanket Screenings and Charges
Question: Our facility performs a MRSA screening on every patient. Can we charge Medicare ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Turn to 434.01 for Cerebral Thrombosis with Infarction
Question: A patient was admitted in a coma due to acute cerebrovascular thrombosis with ce... Read more
Test Yourself:
How Well Do You Know These DRG Basics?
Whether you're new to hospital coding or have been at it a while, occasionally brushing up... Read more
Meet 4 Requirements before Turning to Condition Code 44
Question: Please explain Condition Code 44 to me, and how we know it applies. North Car... Read more
Reader Questions-6 Factors Go Into MS-DRG Assignment
Question: I've heard different opinions on what factors are considered during MS-DRG assig... Read more
Decipher the Differences between Urosepsis, Septicemia, and More
Incorrectly coding sepsis in a hospital setting is easier than you might think, thanks to ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Nuchal Cord Diagnosis Leads to POA of W
Question: I assigned a POA indicator of Y to a case where the umbilical cord was wrapped a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look for Thoracic Aneurysm Repair in New MS-DRG Classifications
Question: Can you explain the classification changes for thoracic aneurysm repair in 2012?... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Guidance before Using Physician Extenders
Question: Our inpatient rehab department wants to use "physician extenders" to approve pre... Read more
Remember 3 Codes for Complete PICC Line Insertion
Many healthcare professionals can place PICC lines (peripherally inserted central venous c... Read more
Reader Questions:
Check Whether Your State Has Used Its Section 1011 Funds
Question: We sent our Section 1011 payment request to Highmark Medical Services, but it wa... Read more
CMS IPPS Final Rule Boosts Bottom Line
Cease submitting aspirin-on-delivery data — and other measures. Sorting through t... Read more
Available Years:  2012