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Pulmonology Coding Alert
Pulmonology Coding Alert
Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 10
ICD-10-CM:
Learn 5 Tips to Elevate Your COPD Coding
Hint: pay attention to the ICD-10-CM code notes. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (C...
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Case Study:
Correctly Code These RSV Bronchiolitis Cases
Also: review the RSV testing codes. One of the most common diagnoses pulmonologists see d...
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Artificial Intelligence:
Ask These Questions When Searching for an AI Coding System – Part 1
Can NLP decipher language differences between doctors? Choosing the right artificial int...
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Industry Notes:
UHG Faces Class-Action Lawsuit From February Cyberattack
UnitedHealth Group (UHG) is experiencing more headaches over the February 2024 Change Heal...
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Reader Questions:
Review ICD-10-CM Guidelines for a MRSA-Pneumonia Dx
Question: What codes should I use to report a diagnosis of pneumonia due to Methicill...
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Reader Questions:
Never Report 2 Bronchoscopy Codes When Only 1 is Needed
Question: The report I have states the pulmonologist performed a diagnostic bronchosc...
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Reader Questions:
Differentiate Between ‘Consent’ and ‘Authorization’
Question: I'm confused by some of the language in the Health Insurance Portability a...
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You Be the Coder:
Can You Report a PE Code for a Bronchus Blood Clot?
Question: A patient presented for a therapeutic aspiration to remove a blood clot in ...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 9
ICD-10-CM:
Get to Know the 2025 ICD-10-CM Code Set
Specify obesity classes with new codes. With more than 250 new diagnosis codes, the 2025 ...
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Modifiers:
Remember These 3 Rules for Modifier 25 Use
Separate, significant, and same day spell successful application. When you attach modifi...
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MPFS:
Here’s the Big News in the 2025 Proposed Rule
Big surprise: Another rate cut is coming. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Servic...
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Reader Questions:
Locate the Correct Lung Granuloma Code
Question: What code do I need to assign for a lung granuloma diagnosis? Codify Subsc...
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Reader Questions:
Find Out How to Handle Family History Facts
Question: When our pulmonologists get referrals for procedures, the referring physici...
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Reader Questions:
Learn How to Report a Paracentesis Case Without Accepted Modifiers
Question: I code for a hospital outpatient facility. A pulmonologist brought a patien...
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Reader Questions:
Do Bronchoscopy and Brushings Require Multiple Codes?
Question: A patient underwent a diagnostic endoscopy with specimen collection via bru...
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Reader Questions:
Beware AI-Crafted Phishing Emails
Question: I've received several phishing emails over the past few months that are ver...
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You Be the Coder:
Avoid Double Billing for Unattended Sleep Studies
Question: Can we bill G0399 and 95806-26 together on the same claim? One of our provi...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 8
CPT® 101:
Use Key Documentation Details to Identify Plethysmography Procedures
Combine plethysmography and spirometry for a complete PFT. Spirometry receives a lot of a...
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Modifier Mania:
5 Tips to Help You Differentiate Modifiers 76, 77, and 91
Remember that repeat lab services have their own modifier. It's a common occurrence: Your...
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Reimbursement:
Fight for Your Right to Appeal and Win
Insurance companies aren't advocating for your office; that's your job. During her HEAL...
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Reader Questions:
Count the Days to Code RPM Services Correctvly
Question: A pulmonologist performed remote physiologic monitoring of a 78-year-old pa...
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Reader Questions:
Reevaluate the Relationship Between Unlisted Codes and Modifiers
Question: Can I append a modifier to an unlisted CPT® code? I'm having trouble getti...
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Reader Questions:
Look out for Combination Diagnosis Codes
Question: A patient presented with a severe sore throat, pain when swallowing, a high...
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You Be the Coder:
Evaluate the COPD Excludes Notes
Question: I have a report where the pulmonologist diagnosed the patient with pneumoco...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 7
ICD-10-CM:
Reinforce Your Acute Bronchitis Coding Skills
Find out if you need cause codes. Acute bronchitis typically manifests due to the presenc...
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Artificial Intelligence:
Use AI to Tackle Your Claims Backlog With These 3 Tips
Remember to review the tech's code choices. Revenue cycle teams handle thousands of medic...
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Practice Management:
Use This Guidance to Improve Your Coding Education Process
Check out these tips for more effective onboarding. Coding education is an ongoing effor...
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Reader Questions:
Count Provider Minutes When Performing Phone Visits
Question: A provider had a telephone visit with a patient to refill prescriptions for...
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Reader Questions:
How Does CPT® Define an Hour of Service?
Question: Could you explain the difference between “first hour” codes and “up t...
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Reader Questions:
Can You Successfully Code a PAP Diagnosis?
Question: I've been a professional coder for more than 20 years, but I recently move...
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You Be the Coder:
Recognize Image Guidance Equipment Abbreviations
Question: I have a report that states the pulmonologist performed a thoracentesis pro...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 6
CPT® 101:
Know When to Report Spirometry Components Separately
Hint: NCCI PTP edit pairs holds the key. Spirometry is an essential service for assessing...
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Payers:
Acknowledge the Need for Strong Relationships with Payers
Getting glimpses of the payer experience is a good first step. While providers may not b...
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E/M:
Bolster Your Distinct Time Billing Knowledge
Remember to bill with only one provider's number. Billing for split or shared services be...
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Reader Questions:
Take This Advice for Precise J2919 Reporting
Question: I'm new to pulmonology coding and I have an encounter note for a pulmonolog...
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Reader Questions:
Explore Potential Outcomes of SDOH
Question: I know there's a huge push to document social determinants of health (SDOH)...
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Reader Questions:
Clarify HIPAA Terminology
Question: What is the difference between “consent” and “authorization” in the...
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Reader Questions:
Be Careful With Complexity for Undiagnosed Condition
Question: Does an undiagnosed new problem with uncertain diagnosis automatically mean...
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You Be the Coder:
Find Out If a Mucus Plug is a Foreign Body
Question: The medical report I have lists the diagnosis as hypoxia due to a mucus plu...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 5
Condition Spotlight:
Understand Acute vs. Chronic Pulmonary Edema Coding
Pay attention to parent code notes. Several conditions in the ICD-10-CM code set are cla...
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Coding Quiz:
Evaluate Your E/M and Spirometry Procedure Coding Knowledge
Find out if your coding skills are on point. As a pulmonology coder, evaluation and manag...
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HIPAA:
OCR Warns Entities About Prioritizing Cybersecurity
Key stakeholders met to discuss ‘interconnectedness' of U.S. healthcare system. With ...
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Coding Quiz Answers:
Check Your E/M and Spirometry Coding Answers
Find out what a ‘B' status means in the MPFS. Check to see if your answers from the qu...
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Reader Questions:
Use 94011-94012 for Patients Under 2 Years Old
Question: I'm new to pulmonology coding and having difficulty with the following cas...
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Reader Questions:
Learn How to Report Multiple Days of Ventilator Management
Question: I have a pulmonologist's report that states they performed ventilation assi...
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Reader Questions:
Easily Fix EHR Errors
Question: How should we correct a mistake in an electronic health record (EHR)? Mont...
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You Be the Coder:
Review Code Notes When Reporting Eosinophilic Asthma
Question: I received a pulmonology report that lists the diagnoses as eosinophilic as...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 4
Mythbusters:
Avoid Falling for These 3 Allergy Coding Myths
Remember to report the cause of asthma exacerbation. Patients who suffer from asthma and ...
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Coding Updates:
Keep Your Diagnosis Coding Knowledge Fresh With Midyear Updates
Stay aware of Excludes note changes. In January 2024, the Centers for Disease Control an...
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E/M:
Eliminate MDM Coding Confusion With These 3 Scenarios
Examine all the information when gauging risk. Assessing murky situations to define med...
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Reader Questions:
Memorize This Status Asthmaticus Definition for Coding Success
Question: I have a report listing a patient's diagnosis as severe persistent asthma, ...
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Reader Questions:
Explore Each of the 5 Medicare Denial Appeal Levels
Question: We filed a claim for a Medicare Part B patient with our Medicare Administra...
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Reader Questions:
Secure Your Car Seat Test Coding Skills
Question: I'm new to pulmonology coding and have a report that states the pulmonolog...
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You Be the Coder:
Identify a COPD Exacerbation Diagnosis with PFT
Question: A patient presented with chronic cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing....
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 3
ICD-10-CM:
Dust Off Your Pneumoconiosis Coding Knowledge
Remember to use J65 for tuberculosis-related diagnoses. Patients suffering from pneumocon...
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Reimbursement:
Know Who Can Supervise Pulmonary Rehab Services in 2024
How do you report 2 sessions in 1 day? Find out. On Nov. 16, 2023, the Centers for Medica...
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Modifier Mania:
Overcome NCCI Edits Coding Confusion
Know when it's okay to unbundle edit pairs. The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI)...
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Reader Questions:
Review the Midyear Mappings to Find New HCC Codes
Question: Code J44.89 was a new addition to the 2024 ICD-10-CM code set. One of the s...
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Reader Questions:
Check the Synonyms for Additional Diagnosis Terms
Question: I have a report for a patient who presented with a persistent dry cough and...
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Reader Questions:
Learn What to Do When Excludes1 Notes Exclude Multiple Codes
Question: I have a report where the pulmonologist diagnosed the patient with unspecif...
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You Be the Coder:
Remember That CPAP Management is Bundled Into E/M Visits
Question: I'm new to pulmonology coding and I'm still figuring out evaluation and man...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 2
CPT® 101:
Get Answers to 3 Burning Bronchoscopy Coding FAQs
Find out what word BAL documentation needs. As a pulmonology coder, you see your fair sha...
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Modifiers:
Append Assistant at Surgery Modifiers Correctly
Hint: Do not report modifiers 80 and AS together. Modifiers are important to your medica...
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E/M:
Pay Attention to These 3 Items Before Billing Medicare
Find out what your provider needs to document for E/M encounters. In February 2023, the ...
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Reader Questions:
Pinpoint the Correct Phrenic Nerve Stimulation and Polysomnography Codes
Question: A patient recently underwent a procedure to have a phrenic nerve stimulator...
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Reader Questions:
Analyze This Asbestosis Coding Case
Question: A patient presented with a cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The pa...
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Reader Questions:
Look Beyond Reimbursement When Reporting Z Codes
Question: Do the ICD-10-CM Z codes affect reimbursement, or are they strictly for sta...
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You Be the Coder:
Can You Report CPAP Management With an E/M?
Question: I'm new to pulmonology coding, and I have an encounter note for a recent ev...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024; Volume 25, Number 1
Reimbursement:
Prepare for 2024 With This Physician Fee Schedule Analysis
Study how to correctly report split/shared visits. On Nov. 16, 2023, the Centers for Medi...
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Coding Quiz:
Test Your Memory of the 2024 ICD-10-CM J- Codes
Do you recall all the coding changes? Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM code set received sever...
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Administration:
Identify Personnel Apathy and Burnout With These 4 Tips
Get to know your team, so you can recognize signs. Members of your staff may experience ...
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Coding Quiz Answers:
Check Your Answers to Our 2024 ICD-10-CM Coding Quiz
Did you pick out the correct RAS codes? How well did you pay attention to the J-code chan...
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Reader Question:
Remember PHI Risk When Calling Patient Names
Question: When calling out patients' names in the waiting room, is it acceptable to c...
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Reader Question:
Use 94726 to Report Body Box Testing
Question: I have a medical report that lists the procedure as a body box test. I'm ne...
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Reader Question:
Verify the Correct Vasomotor Rhinitis Code
Question: A patient presented with a runny nose, nasal congestion, and postnasal drip...
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Reader Question:
Do You Have an Up-to-Date ABN Form?
Question: Our office manager asked me to make sure we're using the most up-to-date ad...
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You Be the Coder:
Manage This MRSA-Related Pneumonia Case
Question: A patient presented to our pulmonology practice with complaints of high fev...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024_October
Pulmonology Coding:
Documentation is Key to Reporting Modifier 22
Question: When is it correct to append modifier 22 to procedures or services? Wiscon...
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Pulmonology Coding:
Seek Out The Correct Asthma Diagnosis Code
Question: A patient presented with an acute asthma exacerbation and the pulmonologist...
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Pulmonology Coding:
Ask These Questions When Searching for an AI Coding System – Part 2
Will the price point deter future adopters? In the first part of this article, Pulmonolog...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024_October
Pulmonology Coding:
Prepare for the New Year’s Telemedicine Coding Options
Brief check-ins also receive a code. While the Pulmonary section of the CPT® code set wi...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024_November
Pulmonology Coding:
Learn How to Count Rx Management Toward MDM
Question: I have a report from a recent evaluation and management (E/M) visit with an esta...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024_November
Pulmonology Coding:
Analyze Acute Asthma Exacerbation Codes for Status Asthmaticus
Question: A patient presented to the emergency department (ED) with a flare up of their mo...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024_November
Pulmonology Coding:
Bolster Your Spirometry Claims With Lung Disease Dx Codes
Hint: Try to specify unspecified codes. One of the most common pulmonary function tests (...
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Pulmonology Coding Alert - 2024_December
Pulmonology Coding:
Find Out What Critical Care Services Include
Question: I have a medical record that indicates the pulmonologist performed critical...
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Pulmonology Coding:
Know How to Identify Pleural Infection Codes
Question: A pulmonologist in a private practice saw a patient who was experiencing ch...
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