Missy13
Networker
I am new to the neurosurgery coding and billing. Any cheat sheets or resources would be very appreciated.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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Wiki Does anyone has any cheat sheets?
- Thread starter Missy13
- Start date
Pam Warren
True Blue
When learning to code a new specialty, your best bet is to NOT code from a cheat sheet. The more you research and learn yourself, the better coder you'll become. Coding is not easy, and requires you to do your own research and learn to assign codes appropriately.
I suggest you make sure you have current CPT, ICD-9, ICD-10 and HCPCS books. Ask your billers to run a charge report, so you can see what kinds of codes the provider has been billing for in the past. Ask for access to the website for your provider's professional association. They often have coding help on their sites. Get a subscription to the CPT assistant. If your provider does surgeries, check them out on You Tube, so you can see what it is he's doing. Sit with your provider and learn about his work. Find out if there are any other neurosurgery coders in your area. Take them out to lunch and ask if you can pick their brain and ask questions. You can always ask questions on this web site, but make sure that the respondent can back up their answer with guidance.
Check your payer guidelines to see if there are any special coding rules. Research common diagnosis codes and learn about the disease process. Read the CCI edits pertinent to neurosurgery. See if AAPC has any webinars you could view. Get the E&M audit tool from your local contractor, and read up on both the 1995 and 1997 guidelines, to determine which set are more advantageous to your provider.
I will say, that my suggestions are not the easy way out. A cheat sheet may seem like a good idea, but one size does not fit all when it comes to coding. I strongly discourage them, and advise coders to look at each case individually and carefully so as to not make mistakes. Enjoy learning this new skill.
I suggest you make sure you have current CPT, ICD-9, ICD-10 and HCPCS books. Ask your billers to run a charge report, so you can see what kinds of codes the provider has been billing for in the past. Ask for access to the website for your provider's professional association. They often have coding help on their sites. Get a subscription to the CPT assistant. If your provider does surgeries, check them out on You Tube, so you can see what it is he's doing. Sit with your provider and learn about his work. Find out if there are any other neurosurgery coders in your area. Take them out to lunch and ask if you can pick their brain and ask questions. You can always ask questions on this web site, but make sure that the respondent can back up their answer with guidance.
Check your payer guidelines to see if there are any special coding rules. Research common diagnosis codes and learn about the disease process. Read the CCI edits pertinent to neurosurgery. See if AAPC has any webinars you could view. Get the E&M audit tool from your local contractor, and read up on both the 1995 and 1997 guidelines, to determine which set are more advantageous to your provider.
I will say, that my suggestions are not the easy way out. A cheat sheet may seem like a good idea, but one size does not fit all when it comes to coding. I strongly discourage them, and advise coders to look at each case individually and carefully so as to not make mistakes. Enjoy learning this new skill.
I agree
I am new to this area of coding and have found that researching on my own has helped me a lot. There are times when I post in this thread when I come across things I need help on. But for the most part I find things on my own. It has been helpful to see the codes that were billed before I starting working here to kind of guide me or sometimes I check to see if I have coded a surgery correctly.
I am new to this area of coding and have found that researching on my own has helped me a lot. There are times when I post in this thread when I come across things I need help on. But for the most part I find things on my own. It has been helpful to see the codes that were billed before I starting working here to kind of guide me or sometimes I check to see if I have coded a surgery correctly.
dlashua
Networker
I code for a busy neurosurgical practice - I do not use 'cheat sheets' instead I research and talk to the surgeons. Remember that physicians and surgeons are teachers at heart and really love sharing information, if in the process it increases their WRVU then they benefit from sharing too!
gina_marie
Contributor
I started working for a neurosurgeon in November. I feel I still have a lot to learn myself. I did find this website http://sdneurosurgery.com/coders/. It helped when I needed to code a surgery, although I researched the codes it suggested to be sure it matched up to the documentation. I also would review old claims that had been coded by the previous coder by reading the op reports, coding them myself and then checking my work against what she billed. I slowly got better. I still need help in which good old fashioned research, Google, reading has cleared up about 98% of those questions and the other 2% I ask my surgeon or post here. Good luck - I felt overwhelmed at first but it is getting "easier" every day.
Good luck - I felt overwhelmed at first but it is getting "easier" every day.