ISCHEMIC STROKE, PRECEREBRAL OCCLUSION OR TRANSIENT ISCHEMIA WITH THROMBOLYTIC AGENT WITH CC DRG Code 062

Question: Encounter notes indicates that the surgeon performed a laminectomy with exploration of the cauda equina on a pair of vertebral segments. The patient had a diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis. How should I report this encounter? Idaho Subscriber Answer: There are [...]

This ‘general’ code set contains several very particular codes. You would be forgiven if you assume that the codes included in the M48.- (Other spondylopathies) would be pretty general. The truth isn’t so straightforward, however. Facts: The M48.- code set [...]

Here’s why you need to mind particulars when using this ‘general’ code set. Considering its descriptor, you’d assume that the codes included in the M48.- (Other spondylopathies) would be pretty general. That’s not the case, though. Contained in M48.- are [...]

Particulars are vital on this ‘general’ code set. With a pretty generic descriptor, you might think that the codes included in the M48.- (Other spondylopathies) family would be catch-all codes. if anything, the reverse is true. Why? M48.- contains eight [...]

Are you one of the 68% of HHAs that have footnotes for your Care Compare CAHPS data? If you pushed off thoughts of CAHPS training and paperwork to after the holidays — it’s now time to tackle the topic. For [...]

Hint: Patients may require multiple encounters before the provider pinpoints a Dx. A patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of spinal stenosis may visit your provider’s office numerous times and receive various diagnostic tests. Coders, therefore, need to nimbly navigate the [...]

Pain in spine or extremities? It could be spinal stenosis. Patients who have symptoms of spinal stenosis, but no diagnosis, are the type of patients you might see at your practice. Why? Your provider will often be the one to [...]

Symptoms typically include pain in spine, extremities. Patients who need treatment for spinal stenosis are the type of patients you might see a lot in the orthopedist’s office. Why? Your orthopedist will need to diagnose and treat the condition, which [...]

It's time to update your systems and templates to get ready for the new and revised ICD-10 codes that take effect October 1, 2017. There are 363 new codes, 142 deletions, and 226 code revisions. Don't let these numbers overwhelm [...]

Question: I am working on a chart with an impression documenting spondylosis causing spinal stenosis at L2-L3. Additionally, there is spondylolisthesis at L3-L4. The impression states radiculopathy. Should I include all four of these diagnoses? California Subscriber Answer: Generally, you won't be [...]