Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
Medicare Provides Free Access to NCCI Edits
Question: I heard that Medicare posted the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits on the Internet. Is this true? If so, which Web site address should I use to find the edits? Answer: CMS now offers an inexpensive way to stay current on the latest National Correct Coding Initiative edits that affect oncology practices. You can check out the quarterly NCCI edit updates for free at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/physicians/cciedits.
North Carolina Subscriber
The same Web page also includes links to documents that explain the edits, including the NCCI Policy Manual for Part B Medicare Carriers, Medicare Carriers Manual, and an NCCI Question and Answer page.
In the past, CMS made the NCCI edits available as a paid subscription only (by way of the National Technical Information Service). But now all you need are a computer and Internet access.
CMS lists the edits in a spreadsheet format. You can sort edits by code number (for instance, click only on the radiology series), or by effective date. The Web page also includes a "find" feature so you can locate specific codes. The on-line database provides instant access to both the "comprehensive/component" and "mutually exclusive" code pair edits, thereby making it easy for oncologists and their coders to identify incorrect coding combinations.
Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
- HCPCS 2004 Update:
Speed Up Reimbursement With New Chemotherapy Drug Codes
Get what you deserve with J9098, J9263 and J9395 If you thought you could use [...] - You Be the Coder:
'Incident-To' Chemotherapy Administration
Question: Can our oncologist bill chemotherapy administration as an incident-to service?
California Subscriber
Answer: If the [...] - HCPCS 2004 Update:
Don't Short-Change Your Office on J Code Dose Amounts
Follow these tips to correctly bill doses The key to reporting some of HCPCS 2004's [...] - 4 Strategies Improve Your Teaching Physician Coding
Experts clarify Medicare guidelines If you want to get your oncologist paid for E/M services [...] - Get a Grip on Medical Notes for Teaching Physician Rules
Use these tips for surefire documentation Now that you know when you can report an [...] - Reader Question:
Use 85097 for Bone Smear Interpretations
Question: How should I report my oncologist's bone marrow interpretations?
Georgia Subscriber Answer: You should report [...] - Reader Question:
Medicare Provides Free Access to NCCI Edits
Question: I heard that Medicare posted the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits on the [...] - Reader Question:
Know When to Use Modifier -25
Question: Insurers often deny our practice's claims when we attach modifier -25 to a code. [...] - Reader Question:
Pick 238.4 to Justify Phlebotomy
Question: I've been linking the cancer's ICD-9 code to the oncologist's phlebotomy services and getting [...] - Reader Question:
Ask Private Payers for a -59 Alternative
Question: One of our private payers uses the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits but [...] - Reader Question:
Avoid Audits With 77280
Question: How should I report 77280?
Oklahoma Subscriber Answer: Because payers often audit practices that indiscriminately [...] - Reader Question:
CPT Doesn't Help With Image Fusion
Question: Our physician wants to begin charging for image fusion. Which code should I use? [...] - Reader Question:
Punch In a Simple Code for Biopsy
Question: I was working on a pathology report that referenced a "punch biopsy." What does [...]
