MULTIPLE LEVEL COMBINED ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR SPINAL FUSION EXCEPT CERVICAL WITH CC DRG Code 427

Plus: Chains stress their acquisition focus. Industry consolidation is the name of the game for the four publicly traded home care chains that are seeking to grow. Amedisys Inc., LHC Group Inc., Kindred at Home (formerly Gentiva), and Almost Family [...]

The first-stop descriptor isn’t always your best choice. A patient having a history of rapid heart beat, also known as tachycardia, is a special consideration for your anesthesia provider before and during surgery. Be aware that you’ll be turning to [...]

Question: Mr. Michael, 55, was admitted to the hospital with acute atrial fibrillation. During his hospital stay, he happened to develop a decubitus ulcer on the buttock What DRG can we assign to this patient, given that the decubitus ulcer was [...]

Question: We need help coding this chart when the minimum time threshold for critical care seems questionable. What would you suggest? Texas Subscriber Chief Complaint Patient presents with: Cardiac Arrest I was unable to obtain a clear HPI, ROS from the [...]

Rely on the index to keep your coding for sinus tachycardia on the right path. Cardiac conditions can sometimes increase the risk of administering anesthesia during a patient’s procedure. Such is the case with 785.0 (Tachycardia unspecified), which is a [...]

One template trap could cause problems down the road. If documentation woes are leading to denials for your dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker insertion claims, you’re not alone. Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) has shown a trend toward denials for this very [...]

Question: Which code should I report for chemical cardioversion using ibutilide infused over 10 minutes? South Carolina Subscriber Answer: According to CPT® Assistant (November 2000), the physician’s coding depends on the services performed. Possibilities include “prolonged services, critical care, evaluation and management [...]

Question: Which diagnosis code should I use for a pacemaker battery change when the battery stops working? Georgia Subscriber Answer: The most appropriate code for replacement at the end of the expected battery life is V53.31 (Fitting and adjustment of cardiac pacemaker). [...]

Leave this code off the claim if you have a more specific diagnosis at hand. Coding for palpitations doesn't have to be as unpleasant as feeling them as long as you keep these simple tips in mind. ICD-9-CM Code 785.1, [...]

Plus: Document the specific reason for case cancellation. The descriptor for modifier 53 (Discontinued procedure) is simple enough, but do you know what constitutes a situation when a physician stops a procedure “due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the [...]