Other nutritional deficiencies (269)

Choose different codes for atherosclerosis of bypass grafts vs. native arteries. If you find peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) coding confusing, you’re not alone. Read on for some helpful insight on how best to maneuver this [...]

Care planning-related deficiencies top surveyors’ lists. The survey climate for hospices is getting worse, and that trend is only bound to intensify in the wake of the HHS Office of Inspector General’s latest reports on hospice surveys. So indicates the [...]

If you meet certain survey criteria, the watchdog agency wants extra eyes on you. Policy- and lawmakers will refer to statistics from the HHS Office of Inspector General’s latest reports on hospice surveys when deciding on a multiple of topics [...]

Question:Our lap-band rep told us not to bill morbid obesity as the diagnosis when a patient returns for a follow up visit outside the global period. Should we bill a co-morbid condition instead, as the rep suggested?Michigan SubscriberAnswer: The diagnosis [...]

Question: After a mom had seen three other physicians for a patient's unresolved thrush and recurrent upper respiratory infections (URI), the parent requested an opinion from our double-certified internist and pediatrician who diagnosed the new patient with geographic tongue and [...]

See which of these new edits will have an effect on your codingThe latest round of Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits has hit the streets, and as usual there are some developments that you will want to keep on top [...]

Inpatient prospective payment systems changes lauded by LeapfrogStarting Oct. 1, 2007 Medicare and Medicaid patients who acquire a medical condition while checked in at a hospital may not have to foot the bill, and hospitals across America are wondering exactly [...]

Oxygen rental cap backlash to continue, expert predicts.Reimbursement reductions took the air out of 2005 earnings for several respiratory home medical suppliers, recent earnings reports show.Orlando, FL-based Rotech Healthcare Inc. and Clearwater, FL-based Lincare Holdings Inc. both pointed to Medicare [...]

Question: A patient is admitted for home care with a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The focus of care is skilled nursing to administer hyperalimentation using a PICC line. What codes do you use and which one is first? Answer:  You must [...]

Are your privacy practices enough to satisfy  your patients? Just because HIPAA privacy enforcement is largely complaint-driven doesn't mean you're out of the woods. Your patients are showing they're willing to speak up when they feel their privacy rights are [...]