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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

CPT® 2015 Update:
Include These New Codes in Your List for Vaccine and Chronic Care Claims
Narrow your choices to only three codes for radiation treatment. Effective Jan 1, 2015... Read more
ICD-10-CM Update:
Ease Your Malignant Esophageal Tumor Coding With These Revisions
Drop the jargon of cervical, thoracic, and abdominal parts of the esophagus. Mark an e... Read more
PSA Testing:
Know The Facts To Avoid Denials For Prostate Specific Antigen Testing
Differentiate diagnostic vs screening. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing may be ... Read more
Reader Question:
Report H1N1 as Regular Flu Virus
Question: Is H1N1 a pandemic? What are the coding options for reporting H1N1 vaccinat... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Therapeutic Intent for Phlebotomy
Question: Our physician performed a phlebotomy in a patient with hemochromatosis. H... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Do Not Forget Incident-To Services
Question: A patient diagnosed with reticulolymphosarcoma in the inguinal lymph nodes ... Read more
Biopsies:
Expert Answers to Top Five Questions Ease Your Integumentary Biopsy Reporting
You may lose up to $75 per procedure for any erroneous reporting. Whenever your oncolo... Read more
E/M Coding:
Adopt These Practices to Augment Your E/M Coding Skills
Physical examination and physician decisions are key to correct coding. In the last is... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Catch Up On Diagnosis Coding For Carcinoma in Situ of Female Genital Tract
Keep documentation for the part of the cervix where the lesion is located. You need to... Read more
Reader Question:
Describe Side for Malignant Neoplasm of Main Bronchus
Question: What changes can we anticipate for diagnosis coding for malignant bronchi... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep Count of Colonoscopy Sessions for Polyp Removal
Question: Our physician did a polyp removal from the colon. In total three polyps wer... Read more
Reader Question:
ABN Applies to Tetanus Vaccines
Question: Can we report for tetanus vaccine in the absence of injury? Will Medicare... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Watch for Bundle in Thyroid FNA and Needle Biopsy Coding
Question: For a patient with a nodule in the thyroid gland, the clinical note menti... Read more
News You Can Use:
Head To New HCPCS Codes For Morphine And Propofol For Pain Control In Cancer
Check what the latest edition of Sentinel Event Alert from Joint Commission says about m... Read more
E/M Coding:
Enhance Your E/M Coding Skills with This Example
Check for new patient, detailed history, and ROS. Choosing between Evaluation and Managem... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Prepare Your Practice for Colon Polyp Coding
Specify site and check complications to get to the right code. ICD-10-CM demands more ... Read more
News You Can't Miss:
CMS Freezes 2015 ICD-10-CM Date
If you are still not prepared, look for free software that CMS has to offer. Althou... Read more
Reader Question:
Bank on Modifier 25 to Report E/M
Question: Our provider recently diagnosed symptoms of nausea and headache in a pati... Read more
Reader Question:
No Definitive Code for Pilomatrixoma
Question: What ICD-9-CM code can we submit for malignant pilomatrixoma of the scalp... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Earn for Sequential Push Administration
Question: In a patient with lymphocytic leukemia, our physician administered meperi... Read more
Follow Expert Advice To Give Your Multiple Infusion Reporting A Makeover
Submit one initial service code and primary purpose, not medication sequence, matters mo... Read more
Dig Deep for Diagnosis Coding
When your physician documents the patient presented for the administration of chemothera... Read more
Quick review of medications:
Revisit the action of each of the medications
Pemetrexed is a chemical compound similar to folic acid that is used as an antineopla... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Strengthen Your Coding Skills for Neoplasms, Diseases of Blood and Blood Forming Organs
Learn how to report the diagnosis for ED conditions in a patient with carcinoma. Chapt... Read more
Reader Question:
Confirm Single Incision for Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy
Question: Our physician performs a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy for a Medicare... Read more
Reader Question:
Do Not Report Serous Ovarian Tumor as Malignant
Question: In a patient with ovarian tumor, our physician has documented a diagnosis... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Target 99195 for Therapeutic Phlebotomy
Question: Our physician does a therapeutic phlebotomy in a patient with polycythemi... Read more
Learn 3 Key Facts For Flawless J9025 Reporting
Account for drug wastage and don’t forget the procedure codes. You could be forf... Read more
What is Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)?
MDS refers to a condition where orderly and controlled production of blood cells in the ... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Turn To Specific Options for Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Check grade and acquaint yourself with terminologies to make way to the right code. Wh... Read more
Follow This Advice To Hone Your Skills For Hydration Coding
If you’re thinking intravenous (IV) hydration coding is just a matter of reporting... Read more
Reader Question:
Be Specific For Prophylactic Treatment
Question: Our physician is treating a patient for lung cancer. The patient has no b... Read more
Reader Question:
Note Number of Allergens Tested to Tackle Units of 95004
Question: How do we report when our physician tests for multiple allergens? Do we r... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Earn Your Share for Preventive Medicine Services
Question: Our physician often does counseling and provides anticipatory guidance fo... Read more
Biopsy Procedures:
Follow These 3 Tips To Safeguard Your Earnings In FNA Versus PNB Coding
You could lose more than $62 per procedure if you aren’t specific. If you’... Read more
ICD-10:
5 Questions Check How Much You Know About Brain Tumor Coding
Hint: Anatomical location is your key to the right code. Ostensibly simple, brain tumo... Read more
Remember These Rules For Established Patient Coding With 99211
You could save $20 per encounter. You cannot blindly turn to code 99211 whenever an es... Read more
ICD-10:
Brain Tumor Coding: Do Not Assume One-To-One Match
You report tumor in fourth ventricle with brainstem tumor code. Do you have an impress... Read more
Reader Question:
Document Hydration for J7050
Question: We were denied payment for HCPCS code J7050 (Infusion, normal saline solution,... Read more
Reader Question:
Do Not Confuse PRP for Marrow Transplantation
Question: Our physician used platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections in a patient with bon... Read more
Reader Question:
Block Pain in Peripheral Nerve Neuroma
Question: How can we report for scar neuroma Injection of the infrapatellar branch of th... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Reason for Encounter Guides Initial Infusion Coding
Question:Which of the following medications can we report as initial infusion? &midd... Read more
Multiply Your Earnings for Multiple Anti-Emesis Options
The 48 hour rule does not apply to Q0166 and Q0180. You may find yourself perplexed wh... Read more
Billing Basics:
Intervene Before No-Shows Drain Your Practice
Find a balance between business strategy and patient goodwill. In the last issue we di... Read more
CCI 20.1:
Beware the Bundle in Allergy Immunotherapy and E/M Codes
Append modifier 25 to the E/M code and keep documentation in support. The Correct Codi... Read more
Reader Question:
Beware the Bundle of 99211 with Flu Vaccine Administration
Question: We have been receiving denials for flu vaccine codes when submitted with ... Read more
Reader Question:
Be Specific for Neoplasm Coding in ICD-10-CM
Question: In a patient with an established history of prostate cancer, our oncologi... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Narrow down to 55700 for transurethral Prostate Biopsy
Question: How can we best report a transurethral biopsy of prostate tissue? Wisco... Read more
Billing Basics:
Check If You Can Charge the Patient for No-Show
Procedures and office visit are equally important. Facing challenges to keep income fl... Read more
Follow These Tips to Conquer Chemotherapy Anti-Emesis Reporting
Make a note of new dose units, route of administration and timing of chemotherapy. You... Read more
News You Can Use:
Get the Latest on the SGR Fix and ICD-10 Delay before You're the Last to Know
SGR needs a permanent solution, experts say.  The Protecting Access to Medicare A... Read more
Reader Question:
Polish Up Your Supervision Know-How for IGRT
Question: What level of supervision is needed for image-guided radiation therapy (I... Read more
Reader Question:
Earn For Each Component of Chemotherapy.
Question: A patient recieved Cisplatin 100 mg for 2 hours, Taxotere 120 mg for 1 ho... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Investigate Incisions for Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy
Question: Our physician does a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Is it correct to ... Read more
Take These Drug, Delivery Service, and Diagnosis Steps to Ensure Easy J9041
Prepare for October 1 by checking out this ICD-9 and ICD-10 equivalent table. By stand... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Check Your Knowledge for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Coding With These 5 Questions
Are you prepared? ICD-10-CM may not offer a one-to-one match. From Oct 2014, you will ... Read more
E/M:
Encounters Alone Do Not Determine New vs. Established
Tip: Different specialties may introduce exceptions. Your practice may report for new ... Read more
Coding Quiz Answers:
5 Merkel Cell Carcinoma Answers Gauge Your ICD-10-CM 2014 Skills
See how your answers to the quiz match with the experts’. Have you nailed down p... Read more
Reader Question:
Retain Diagnosis for Second Biopsy
Question:  In a patient diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, our physician d... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Count Instillations, Not Vials For J9031
Question: In a patient diagnosed with urinary bladder carcinoma, our physician admi... Read more
Chemotherapy:
Command These Multiple Substances and Concurrent Hydration Chemotherapy Scenarios With This Advice
Keep count on total hours of infusion and check substances infused. Reporting for mult... Read more
ICD-10:
Boost up Your Breast Cancer Reporting with This Best Advice
Look for both site and side in male breast options. You won’t find a one-to-one ... Read more
Documentation:
5 Rules You Can Follow to Improve Provider Documentation
Do not assume EMRs are flawless. Documentation compliance is as important as coding ac... Read more
Reader Question:
Ascertain Route for Ovarian Cyst Fluid Collection
Question: In a patient suspected to have ovarian tumor, our physician obtained a sa... Read more
Reader Question:
Distinguish Between Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy
Question: How is immunotherapy different from chemotherapy in treatment of cancer? ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Submit Diagnosis Codes For both Secondary and Primary Carcinoma
Question: How can we report the diagnosis for bone metastasis in a patient who has ... Read more
Alleviate Your Chemo Injection and Infusion Coding Stress With This Expert Advice
Route of administration guides you to right code. The Current Procedural Terminology (... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Check Site of Lymphadenitis When Reporting ICD-10-CM Codes
Acute vs. chronic duration guides you to the correct code. Confused over enlarged and ... Read more
Malignancy and Lymph Node Involvement
According to the journal American Family Physicians, lymphadenopathy is defined as an ab... Read more
Vaccinations:
5 Top Tips for Influenza Vaccine Coding
Report separate codes for the vaccine supply as well as administration. Code choices f... Read more
Reader Question:
Do Not Bill for Wastage When Drug Not Administered
Question: If a patient has an intraperitoneal saline drip started and carbo was to be pu... Read more
Reader Question:
Look for Specific Code for HIT
Question: In a patient who was reported to have venous thrombosis, our physician has doc... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Submit 204.02 for ALL with CNS Relapse
Question: What is the appropriate ICD-9-CM code for “acute lymphoblastic leukemia ... Read more
HCPCS 2014:
Add These New Chemotherapy and Other Common Treatment Options
Look for new codes for both hematological and non-hematological chemotherapy. Effectiv... Read more
CPT® 2014:
Differentiate Trivalent and Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccines in 2014
Check for 90673 in the possible flu vaccine options. Each year, you face a challenge i... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Laterality Is Key When Reporting Testicular Neoplasms
Anatomical location and side should be your focus in 2014. In ICD-10-CM, you can pick ... Read more
What Are Interferons? Review These Specifics
Interferons are biological response modifiers (“BRMs”). Remember, these ar... Read more
Brush Up on Types of Testicular Neoplasms
Testicular cancers can have diverse histological types. More than 90 percent of all test... Read more
Reader Question:
Count Your Infusions
Question: Can you have more than one ‘first hour’ over an extended inpatient... Read more
Reader Question:
Confirm CT Data Sets Used in Treatment Planning
Question: In a patient who had secondaries in the brain, new bone secondaries are diagno... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Class for HLA Testing
Question: Our provider does testing for antibodies to HLA in a patient to confirm the ge... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Do Not Miss Diagnosis Code for Metastatic Foci
Question: What ICD-9-CM code should we use to report prophylactic brain radiation in a p... Read more
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