Month: April 2021

CPT Coding For Excisional Wound Debridement With VAC

CPT Coding For Excisional Wound Debridement With VAC

Q: What CPT codes and modifiers would be used to report excisional debridement for removal of a 2×4-cm ulcer on a patient’s right buttocks with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC)? A: The debridement would be reported using CPT code 11042 (debridement, subcutaneous tissue [includes epidermis and dermis, if performed]; first 20 sq cm or less). This procedure […]
AHA Coding Clinic on ICD-10-CM_PCS for First Quarter of 2021 Released

AHA Coding Clinic on ICD-10-CM/PCS for First Quarter of 2021 Released

Current issue includes most frequently asked questions about coding COVID-19. The American Hospital Association (AHA) central office is the official United States clearinghouse on medical coding for the proper use of the ICD-10-CM/PCS systems and Level I HCPCS (CPT-4 codes) for hospital providers – and certain Level II HCPCS codes for hospitals, physicians, and other health professionals. The […]
Three Keys to Ease Provider Tension

Three Keys to Ease Provider Tension

Being a physician comes with certain baseline stressors. For most, the culprits are pretty familiar: patient care responsibilities, high debt loads that compel long working hours, system complexities, and mounting administrative chores. COVID-19 has added yet another layer to the burdens that already contribute to physician burnout. As an emergency physician, walking into work every […]
ICD-11 Is Coming, Prepare Now

ICD-11 Is Coming, Prepare Now

IFHIMA makes the case for ICD-11 adoption with latest whitepaper. As healthcare transformation progresses due to the digitization of data and advancements in medical science and technology, it is increasingly important that nations around the world begin planning for adoption of ICD-11. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) has a long and valued history of […]
Physicians Collect More From Surprise Medical Bills in ED

Physicians Collect More From Surprise Medical Bills in ED

  Physicians in a hospital’s emergency department (ED) collected significantly more of the charged amount for likely surprise medical bills compared to other patient cases, a new study in Health Affairs reveals. In the event of a likely surprise medical bill, physicians collected 65 percent of the charged amount compared with just 52 percent for other cases. Researchers also […]
Append Surgical Modifiers With Confidence

Append Surgical Modifiers With Confidence

Modifiers 79: Know how to differentiate modifiers 79, 78, and 58to ensure proper reimbursement for all procedures performed. Modifiers convey important information about a claim and can directly affect reimbursement. But choosing the most appropriate modifier can be confusing — especially when two or more modifiers have similar descriptors. Modifiers 58, 78, and 79 are all […]