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How do you code if the doctor said shortness of breath was multifactorial from myasthenia gravis, obesity hypoventilation, myopaty induce steroid, lung interstitial disease? Do we need to query the...
View ArticleTrivia answer
Congratulations to this week’s winner Shalola (Lola) Johnson, CCS, coding specialist II at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore. Lola correctly answered the following question:What is the...
View ArticleProduct of the week: 3-Day Payment Window live audio conference March 28
On January 4,, CMS updated the three-day payment window section of the inpatient chapter of the Claims Processing Manual creating new logistical problems carrying significant compliance risks- let...
View ArticleQ&A: Coding from a differential diagnosis
Q: A patient presents with a sore throat, and the physician states “Sore throat; differential diagnoses include streptococcal sore throat, tonsillitis, postnasal drip.”If the physician doesn’t rule out...
View ArticleHealthcare News: JAMA publishes 30-day readmission data for adult and...
Thirty-day readmissions for heart failure, heart attack, and pneumonia occur most frequently for reasons other than the cause of the initial hospitalization, according to a study published in the...
View ArticleWhy coders should focus on their health and wellbeing
by Lois E. Mazza, CPC Every year, I work toward achieving optimum health. All people—including coders—should strive to do the same. Why is it important for coders to think about their health? As...
View ArticleDo both conditions truly meet the definition of principal diagnosis?
The ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting state that it’s unusual for two or more diagnoses to meet the definition of principal diagnosis. However, coders know this isn’t exactly true,...
View ArticleDon't use adult criteria when improving documentation for pediatric records
By Lisa A. EramoAccurate ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure coding is paramount regardless of the particular DRG grouper an insurance company uses for payment. However, as payers increasingly move toward...
View ArticleContinuing education credits
To receive AAPC and/or AHIMA credits, take the quiz after reading the following articles:Don’t use adult criteria when improving documentation for pediatric recordsDo both conditions truly meet the...
View ArticleNew on JustCoding Platinum!
A sample query in our Coding Sample Policies and Forms section:Establishing cause and effect relationships between diagnosesAlso on JustCoding Platinum:Did you see this in our Special Reports and News...
View ArticleEditor’s Note
JustCoding will unveil a new and improved e-learning library for Platinum subscribers May 29. If you want to earn AAP and/or AHIMA credits for any of the current courses, you must complete the course...
View ArticleBlogs
Access the latest blog posts on ICD–10 Trainer, a free, online forum for all matters related to ICD–10:GERD yourself for coding digestive diseases in ICD-10-CMCoder productivity is a big pictureAccess...
View ArticleFree quiz
Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features questions about ICD-9-CM codes for open wounds. (View)
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Are you a member of your organization's ICD-10 committee?Yes, I am heading up the committeeYes, I am a member of the committeeNo, but I am on a subcommitteeNo, my organization has a committee, but I am...
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Is this correct to code the I&D from the procedure below with 86.04?Nasofacial abscess Verbal consent obtained for I&D. Area prepped with betadine. Approximately 12cc 1% lidocaine w/ epi...
View ArticleTrivia question
What is the correct ICD-9-CM procedure code for removal of an electronic bladder stimulator?a. 57.9b. 57.96c. 57.97d. 57.98 Know the answer and want to be featured in the next issue of JustCoding...
View ArticleProduct of the week: Charging for Ancillary Bedside Procedures and Supplies...
Medicare guidance on charging for ancillary bedside procedures and supplies for inpatients is vague. Payers add to the confusion by releasing conflicting information they say is based on Medicare’s...
View ArticleQ&A: When is a patient considered an inpatient?
Q: A patient with undiagnosed syncope is admitted to observation. Later that evening, the patient is diagnosed with syncope and develops complications that warrant an inpatient admission. Should the...
View ArticleHealthcare News: CMS announces organizations set to receive bundled payments
More than 450 healthcare organizations will participate in CMS’ Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative. CMS announced the specific organizations in January, and some participants will begin...
View ArticlePresent-on-admission indicator accuracy remains high
In times of increased auditor scrutiny, it’s important for coders to remind themselves of their strengths. Assigning the present-on-admission (POA) indicator is one of them, according to an OIG report...
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