Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
Start Using New Swine Flu Code Oct. 1
Capture flu data with ICD-9 addendum. ICD-9 addenda were posted June 2, 2009, to the National Center for Health Statistics Web site. The addenda provide new codes to ensure accurate tracking for newly identified cases of swine flu. You can find the addenda at www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/ftpserv/ftpicd9/icdidx10add.pdf. Change Expands 488 The modification revises 488 (Influenza due to identified avian influenza virus) to encompass other specified viruses. Now you'll need to report other specified viruses using a fourth digit by selecting the appropriate code from the following choices: • 488.0 -- Influenza due to identified avian influenza virus • 488.1 -- Influenza due to identified novel H1N1 influenza virus. The change is effective Oct. 1.
Pathology/Lab Coding Alert
- ICD-9 Update:
Rev Up Your Pathologist's Cancer Coding Accuracy With 4 Changes
Merkel cell CA gets its own codes -- will you know where to look? If you [...] - ICD-9 Update:
Your Non-Specific Transfusion Coding Hinges on Looking Here
Track data with these new poisoning codes, too. You can stop lumping multiple conditions under [...] - Spotlight Don't Let New 'Lab Exam' Codes Sabotage Your Pay
Alert physicians to keep using condition codes. New, specific ICD-9 codes for "pre-op" and other [...] - You Be the Coder :
Counting Won't Predict Proper Prostate Code
Question: Our pathologist received two containers from surgery, one identified as "right prostate" and one [...] - 4 Tips Build Your ICD-9 Know-How
Confused about ordering or final diagnosis? Look no further. Insurers base your payment on whether [...] - News Brief :
Start Using New Swine Flu Code Oct. 1
Capture flu data with ICD-9 addendum. When your lab identifies a patient who tests positive [...] - Reader Question:
Narrow Your Choices for 83912
Question: At the request of the treating physician, our pathologist provided an interpretation and report [...] - Reader Question:
Match Screening, Interpretation Pap Codes for Medicare Pay
Question: We're having problems with denials when we bill Medicare for a thin-prep screening Pap [...] - Reader Question:
Watch for Separate Slide Prep Charge
Question: Our cytology lab prepares slides for UroVysion FISH by liquid based preparation (thin-prep). Can [...] - Reader Question:
Know When Pathologists Should Revert to Ordering Diagnosis
Question: We received a mastectomy specimen based on a prior cancerous biopsy but find no [...]
