Internal Medicine Coding Alert
CPT® Coding:
Ask These Questions, Get Ready for Behavioral Health Integration
Read this FAQ to know the pros and cons of the new CPT® codes If your practice has yet t... Read more
Ask These Questions, Get Ready for Behavioral Health Integration
Read this FAQ to know the pros and cons of the new CPT® codes If your practice has yet t... Read more
Procedure Coding:
Take These Tips to Perfect Your Pulmonary Testing Knowledge
Master the ins and outs of PFT coding with these four expert suggestions. Confused by the... Read more
Take These Tips to Perfect Your Pulmonary Testing Knowledge
Master the ins and outs of PFT coding with these four expert suggestions. Confused by the... Read more
Case Study Corner:
Study These Steps for Successful STI Counseling, Immunization Coding
Refresh your HPV documentation skills with this scenario. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is p... Read more
Study These Steps for Successful STI Counseling, Immunization Coding
Refresh your HPV documentation skills with this scenario. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is p... Read more
Reader Question:
Take Time to Answer This Question, Infuse Your Coding Knowledge
Question: Our nonphysician practioner (NPP) performed an infusion lasting 107 minutes. How... Read more
Take Time to Answer This Question, Infuse Your Coding Knowledge
Question: Our nonphysician practioner (NPP) performed an infusion lasting 107 minutes. How... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Detail What's Not Working to Justify CT Injections
Question: Three months ago, our provider saw a patient complaining of wrist pain, a burnin... Read more
Detail What's Not Working to Justify CT Injections
Question: Three months ago, our provider saw a patient complaining of wrist pain, a burnin... Read more
News You Can Use:
Will You Be Ready to Use These New CPT® Codes in the New Year?
Jan 1. sees new behavioral health, cognitive impairment, and vaccine codes. 177 new codes... Read more
Will You Be Ready to Use These New CPT® Codes in the New Year?
Jan 1. sees new behavioral health, cognitive impairment, and vaccine codes. 177 new codes... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Know Symptoms, Specificity, and Site for Success in Respiratory Coding
Ask these three questions to keep your documentation clear and precise. Your practice has... Read more
Know Symptoms, Specificity, and Site for Success in Respiratory Coding
Ask these three questions to keep your documentation clear and precise. Your practice has... Read more
Mythbusters:
Document High Blood Pressure Diagnoses Definitively by Busting These Myths
Understand these three scenarios to master hypertension reporting. Let's face it: hyperte... Read more
Document High Blood Pressure Diagnoses Definitively by Busting These Myths
Understand these three scenarios to master hypertension reporting. Let's face it: hyperte... Read more
Reader Question:
Document Destruction with This Procedure Code
Question: Our provider recently removed five common warts from a patient's hand, and ... Read more
Document Destruction with This Procedure Code
Question: Our provider recently removed five common warts from a patient's hand, and ... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Modifier 33 to Identify Preventive Services
Question: A patient with hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes came to our office for an... Read more
Know Modifier 33 to Identify Preventive Services
Question: A patient with hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes came to our office for an... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Create Crystal-Clear CLIA Documentation with This 4-Step Method
Question: Our practice recently received a certificate of waiver from the Centers for... Read more
Create Crystal-Clear CLIA Documentation with This 4-Step Method
Question: Our practice recently received a certificate of waiver from the Centers for... Read more
Procedure Coding:
Put Your Finger on These Trigger Point Injection Codes
Do this, but don't do that, for straightforward TPI reporting. Trigger point injections (... Read more
Put Your Finger on These Trigger Point Injection Codes
Do this, but don't do that, for straightforward TPI reporting. Trigger point injections (... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Four Simple Steps for Coding Abdominal Pain Without Dx
R codes key when only symptoms are known. Sometimes a patient's symptoms don't add up. Bu... Read more
Four Simple Steps for Coding Abdominal Pain Without Dx
R codes key when only symptoms are known. Sometimes a patient's symptoms don't add up. Bu... Read more
Clip and Save:
Know These Words, Know Migraine Coding
Let this handy glossary guide you to pain-free documentation. "It is easy to get lost in ... Read more
Know These Words, Know Migraine Coding
Let this handy glossary guide you to pain-free documentation. "It is easy to get lost in ... Read more
Reader Question:
Use This NPI in This Incident-to Scenario
Question: Our nurse practitioner (NP) is often called upon to provide services to our... Read more
Use This NPI in This Incident-to Scenario
Question: Our nurse practitioner (NP) is often called upon to provide services to our... Read more
Reader Question:
Claim Repeat I&D Within Global with These Modifiers
Question: Our physician recently performed an incision and drainage (I&D) of a co... Read more
Claim Repeat I&D Within Global with These Modifiers
Question: Our physician recently performed an incision and drainage (I&D) of a co... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose This Code for Care Conclusion
Question: A patient we have been treating for a severe case of eczema came back to ou... Read more
Choose This Code for Care Conclusion
Question: A patient we have been treating for a severe case of eczema came back to ou... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Look to Age to Code This Alzheimer's Encounter Correctly
Question: If our provider diagnoses a patient with Alzheimer's disease, can I use the... Read more
Look to Age to Code This Alzheimer's Encounter Correctly
Question: If our provider diagnoses a patient with Alzheimer's disease, can I use the... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Cardiac Dx Codes at the Heart of ICD-10-CM Revisions
MI, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure reporting will change beginning Oct. 1. Cha... Read more
Cardiac Dx Codes at the Heart of ICD-10-CM Revisions
MI, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure reporting will change beginning Oct. 1. Cha... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Report Abuse in Remission Dx Beginning Oct. 1
New F10-F19 codes make substance abuse documentation more specific. For some time, when y... Read more
Report Abuse in Remission Dx Beginning Oct. 1
New F10-F19 codes make substance abuse documentation more specific. For some time, when y... Read more
Procedure Coding:
Think You Know Arthrocentesis, Steroid Administration Coding?
You will when you follow this step-by-step guide for accurate osteoarthritis procedure rep... Read more
Think You Know Arthrocentesis, Steroid Administration Coding?
You will when you follow this step-by-step guide for accurate osteoarthritis procedure rep... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Notes, Drug Type for Success Coding this Scenario
Questions: We have a patient who is recovering from a stroke, and we are monitoring h... Read more
Know Notes, Drug Type for Success Coding this Scenario
Questions: We have a patient who is recovering from a stroke, and we are monitoring h... Read more
Reader Question:
By the Numbers: Use these Two Modifiers to Code Three Procedures by Two Physicians
Questions: A patient recently came in to our practice for three separate electrocardi... Read more
By the Numbers: Use these Two Modifiers to Code Three Procedures by Two Physicians
Questions: A patient recently came in to our practice for three separate electrocardi... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Take this Advice on Coding E/M Services with Tobacco, DNR Counseling
Question: Can we bill an evaluation and management (E/M) service such as 99213 with c... Read more
Take this Advice on Coding E/M Services with Tobacco, DNR Counseling
Question: Can we bill an evaluation and management (E/M) service such as 99213 with c... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Prepare Yourself for Diabetes Coding Changes in Latest ICD-10-CM
New codes for type 2 DKA are on their way. Ready or not, here they come! The annual revis... Read more
Prepare Yourself for Diabetes Coding Changes in Latest ICD-10-CM
New codes for type 2 DKA are on their way. Ready or not, here they come! The annual revis... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Code CCM Accurately with These Expert Tips
These 5 hints will keep your reporting on-target. Following up on last month’s disc... Read more
Code CCM Accurately with These Expert Tips
These 5 hints will keep your reporting on-target. Following up on last month’s disc... Read more
Reader Question:
Make Inhalation Coding As Simple As Breathing
Question: Our physician provided two inhalation treatments to the same patient on the... Read more
Make Inhalation Coding As Simple As Breathing
Question: Our physician provided two inhalation treatments to the same patient on the... Read more
Reader Question:
Use this 5-Step Method to Find Global Days
Question: What is the best way to quickly find the global periods for various procedu... Read more
Use this 5-Step Method to Find Global Days
Question: What is the best way to quickly find the global periods for various procedu... Read more
Reader Question:
Answer This Question to Assess Your Screening Coding
Question: A patient came into our office exhibiting signs and symptoms of alcohol mis... Read more
Answer This Question to Assess Your Screening Coding
Question: A patient came into our office exhibiting signs and symptoms of alcohol mis... Read more
Reader Question:
Push Your Knowledge of Infusion Codes with these Answers
Question: A patient came to our office for an initial med push of ondansetron hydroch... Read more
Push Your Knowledge of Infusion Codes with these Answers
Question: A patient came to our office for an initial med push of ondansetron hydroch... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Getting Stuck on Modifier Attachment? You Won't When You Know Global Days
Question: Our physician recently excised a benign lesion from a patient. The same pat... Read more
Getting Stuck on Modifier Attachment? You Won't When You Know Global Days
Question: Our physician recently excised a benign lesion from a patient. The same pat... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Use These Health and Behavior Codes to Address Patient, Caregiver Concerns
Recent CPT® revisions aid cognition, collaborative care documentation. The 2017 revis... Read more
Use These Health and Behavior Codes to Address Patient, Caregiver Concerns
Recent CPT® revisions aid cognition, collaborative care documentation. The 2017 revis... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Don't Sneeze at This Seasonal Allergy Coding Quiz
Find relief from testing and treatment coding problems by taking this test. Now that alle... Read more
Don't Sneeze at This Seasonal Allergy Coding Quiz
Find relief from testing and treatment coding problems by taking this test. Now that alle... Read more
E/M Coding:
Know 2 Simple Codes to Make CCM Coding Less Complex
Know what makes complex chronic care management … complex. If your practice is see... Read more
Know 2 Simple Codes to Make CCM Coding Less Complex
Know what makes complex chronic care management … complex. If your practice is see... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Answers: How Did You Do on Our Seasonal Allergy Test?
Our experts provide some hot summer coding advice. Once you’ve answered the quiz qu... Read more
Answers: How Did You Do on Our Seasonal Allergy Test?
Our experts provide some hot summer coding advice. Once you’ve answered the quiz qu... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Be Left Speechless by These Problem-Focused E/M Codes
Question: A patient came in for a physical exam. While there, one of our physicians a... Read more
Don't Be Left Speechless by These Problem-Focused E/M Codes
Question: A patient came in for a physical exam. While there, one of our physicians a... Read more
Reader Question:
Use 99406 & 99407 for Success in Smoking Cessation Coding
Question: CMS deleted HCPCS codes G0436 (Smoking and tobacco cessation counseling vis... Read more
Use 99406 & 99407 for Success in Smoking Cessation Coding
Question: CMS deleted HCPCS codes G0436 (Smoking and tobacco cessation counseling vis... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Follow This Advice for Correct Immunization Coding
Question: A 28-year-old patient recently came into our office for a routine flu immun... Read more
Follow This Advice for Correct Immunization Coding
Question: A 28-year-old patient recently came into our office for a routine flu immun... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Know the Who, What, and Where of Strapping and Splinting to Boost Your Claims
And you can wrap things up with a supply code, too. When a patient visits your physician ... Read more
Know the Who, What, and Where of Strapping and Splinting to Boost Your Claims
And you can wrap things up with a supply code, too. When a patient visits your physician ... Read more
Mythbuster:
3 Myths To Destroy To Boost Lesion Destruction Claims
Numbers and types aren’t the only details that need close attention. Do you know wh... Read more
3 Myths To Destroy To Boost Lesion Destruction Claims
Numbers and types aren’t the only details that need close attention. Do you know wh... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Answer the Call: Learn New POS Code for Telehealth
Hint: It’s all about the modifiers. When your physician provides covered services t... Read more
Answer the Call: Learn New POS Code for Telehealth
Hint: It’s all about the modifiers. When your physician provides covered services t... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose Codes Carefully in OD Reporting
Question: Our clinician recently diagnosed a patient with ‘complications arisin... Read more
Choose Codes Carefully in OD Reporting
Question: Our clinician recently diagnosed a patient with ‘complications arisin... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Reduced or Incomplete? Use Modifiers 52 and 53 to Tell Different Stories
Question: Our clinician recently detected impacted cerumen in a patient with complain... Read more
Reduced or Incomplete? Use Modifiers 52 and 53 to Tell Different Stories
Question: Our clinician recently detected impacted cerumen in a patient with complain... Read more
CPT® 2017:
Take Advantage Of Telemedicine Coding On The Line
Modifier 95, Appendix P, and POS code 02 let you communicate effectively with Medicare. C... Read more
Take Advantage Of Telemedicine Coding On The Line
Modifier 95, Appendix P, and POS code 02 let you communicate effectively with Medicare. C... Read more
Modifiers:
Stay On The Right (And Left) Side Of Modifier 50 Decisions
Hint: Read the CPT® code descriptors carefully. At times, a provider will need to per... Read more
Stay On The Right (And Left) Side Of Modifier 50 Decisions
Hint: Read the CPT® code descriptors carefully. At times, a provider will need to per... Read more
Clip And Save:
Use These Questions To Get Hip With HPI
Here’s the fast, easy way to get beyond CC. During the history of present illness (... Read more
Use These Questions To Get Hip With HPI
Here’s the fast, easy way to get beyond CC. During the history of present illness (... Read more
Reader Question:
Observe 3-Year Rule on Px Status
Question: We have a new physician joining our practice next month from a nearby pract... Read more
Observe 3-Year Rule on Px Status
Question: We have a new physician joining our practice next month from a nearby pract... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose the Right Code to Help Support Falling Patients
Question: When our practice treats patients with a history of falling, what ICD-10 co... Read more
Choose the Right Code to Help Support Falling Patients
Question: When our practice treats patients with a history of falling, what ICD-10 co... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code for High Risk to Avoid Denial
Question: We received a Pap test order 13 months after the previous test due to &ldqu... Read more
Code for High Risk to Avoid Denial
Question: We received a Pap test order 13 months after the previous test due to &ldqu... Read more
MACRA:
Check Out These Pros, Cons of Early MIPS Adoption
‘Pick your pace’ options available for 2017. If you have been thinking about ... Read more
Check Out These Pros, Cons of Early MIPS Adoption
‘Pick your pace’ options available for 2017. If you have been thinking about ... Read more
E/M Coding:
Use These Tips to Grasp TCM Reporting
One-month embargo lifted on TCM codes. When your clinician provides follow-up care for a ... Read more
Use These Tips to Grasp TCM Reporting
One-month embargo lifted on TCM codes. When your clinician provides follow-up care for a ... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Nail Debridement or Biopsy? These Clues Lead the Way
Remember, you might also report both procedures together. When your provider debrides or ... Read more
Nail Debridement or Biopsy? These Clues Lead the Way
Remember, you might also report both procedures together. When your provider debrides or ... Read more
Reader Question:
Look Toward J Code for Wheezing Dx
Question: I am new to coding. Our clinician recently came up with the diagnosis of &l... Read more
Look Toward J Code for Wheezing Dx
Question: I am new to coding. Our clinician recently came up with the diagnosis of &l... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Additional Aerosol Treatments Deserve Separate Pay? Find Out
Question: If our physician performed nebulizer treatment to help control wheezing sym... Read more
Additional Aerosol Treatments Deserve Separate Pay? Find Out
Question: If our physician performed nebulizer treatment to help control wheezing sym... Read more
E/M Coding:
I.D. Incident-to, Split Visits or Risk Lost $$$
Remember, both features are Medicare creations. When your internist and a non-physician p... Read more
I.D. Incident-to, Split Visits or Risk Lost $$$
Remember, both features are Medicare creations. When your internist and a non-physician p... Read more
Procedure Coding:
Use This Guide to Perfect Lesion Excision Coding
Here’s when you might be able to report excision and wound closure. If your interni... Read more
Use This Guide to Perfect Lesion Excision Coding
Here’s when you might be able to report excision and wound closure. If your interni... Read more
Compliance:
Know Stark Law to Avoid Practice Problems
Receiving kickbacks can get you kicked out of practice. When your physician makes referra... Read more
Know Stark Law to Avoid Practice Problems
Receiving kickbacks can get you kicked out of practice. When your physician makes referra... Read more
Reader Question:
Conduct Site Count for Kenalog Coding
Question: If our clinician administers Kenalog into multiple sites using ultrasound g... Read more
Conduct Site Count for Kenalog Coding
Question: If our clinician administers Kenalog into multiple sites using ultrasound g... Read more
Reader Question:
Cast Aside Application Code Unless Physician's Involved
Question: Our physician recently saw a patient who reported to our practice with comp... Read more
Cast Aside Application Code Unless Physician's Involved
Question: Our physician recently saw a patient who reported to our practice with comp... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Get to 7th Spot on Neck Sprain Diagnoses
Question: Our provider recently provided an evaluation and management (E/M) service t... Read more
Get to 7th Spot on Neck Sprain Diagnoses
Question: Our provider recently provided an evaluation and management (E/M) service t... Read more
E/M Coding:
Use Injection-E/M Smarts to Code Correctly
You’ll need modifier 25 for the E/M. When your physician examines a patient, she... Read more
Use Injection-E/M Smarts to Code Correctly
You’ll need modifier 25 for the E/M. When your physician examines a patient, she... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Test Your Cerumen Removal Reporting with These Scenarios
Be on the lookout for E/M opportunities with cerumen removal. When your clinician perf... Read more
Test Your Cerumen Removal Reporting with These Scenarios
Be on the lookout for E/M opportunities with cerumen removal. When your clinician perf... Read more
ICD-10:
Keep Atop Infant Feeding Difficulties Dx Differences
Once the infant reaches this age, you can’t use newborn codes anymore. Physicia... Read more
Keep Atop Infant Feeding Difficulties Dx Differences
Once the infant reaches this age, you can’t use newborn codes anymore. Physicia... Read more
Quiz Answers:
Check Your Responses Against These Cerumen Removal Answers
Look to CCI when coding for multiple procedures. Scenario 1: Simple Removal by Irrigat... Read more
Check Your Responses Against These Cerumen Removal Answers
Look to CCI when coding for multiple procedures. Scenario 1: Simple Removal by Irrigat... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose 'Feeding Difficulties' Code for Choking
Question: Our physician evaluated a newborn baby whose mother said that the child w... Read more
Choose 'Feeding Difficulties' Code for Choking
Question: Our physician evaluated a newborn baby whose mother said that the child w... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Coding Dermabond Repair for Medicare
Question: Our physician recently performed simple repair of a laceration of the sca... Read more
Coding Dermabond Repair for Medicare
Question: Our physician recently performed simple repair of a laceration of the sca... Read more
E/M Coding:
Nail MDM Level with This 3-Step Method
Use points system to arrive at final level. Coders reporting an evaluation and managem... Read more
Nail MDM Level with This 3-Step Method
Use points system to arrive at final level. Coders reporting an evaluation and managem... Read more
Coding Corner:
Score Big with These 3 Sports Physicals Coding Options
Payer can provide insight into correct coding. If your physician performs sports physi... Read more
Score Big with These 3 Sports Physicals Coding Options
Payer can provide insight into correct coding. If your physician performs sports physi... Read more
Mythbusters:
Use This Advice to Unlock Nail Care Reporting Success
Check with payer on proper diagnoses for the service. When your clinician performs rou... Read more
Use This Advice to Unlock Nail Care Reporting Success
Check with payer on proper diagnoses for the service. When your clinician performs rou... Read more
Reader Question:
Tread Carefully When Considering Nail Trimming/Debridement
Question: If our physician performed trimming and debridement of nails for a patien... Read more
Tread Carefully When Considering Nail Trimming/Debridement
Question: If our physician performed trimming and debridement of nails for a patien... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Reporting E/M with Cerumen Removal
Question: If your physician performs removal of cerumen, can an E/M code be reporte... Read more
Reporting E/M with Cerumen Removal
Question: If your physician performs removal of cerumen, can an E/M code be reporte... Read more