Here is an important checklist to help you prepare for new codes effective now. On Oct. 1, the new 2022 fiscal year (FY) ICD-10-CM/PCS codes became effective. The new CM code set includes 159 new codes, 20 revised codes, and 18 deleted codes. The new ICD-10-PCS code set include 191 new codes, 62 revised titles, […]
In the latest Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed for the first time a set of CPT codes for remote therapeutic monitoring. These codes, according to the proposal, are intended to be used to understand the effectiveness of and the patient’s response to a prescribed therapy. In particular, […]
Review the AMA’s updated definition of what constitutes a unique test. Many coders are asking the question, “What is a unique test?” As always, we must first turn to the guidelines to see how “test” is defined. In the original published guidelines, the American Medical Association (AMA) stated: “Tests are imaging, laboratory, psychometric, or physiologic […]
The American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) CPT® Editorial Panel has released eight new COVID-19-related codes to report a new formulation of the Pfizer vaccine, a Moderna booster vaccine, and a Pfizer booster using either the new or old formulation. These codes are in addition to the four new CPT codes released last month and the many […]
Midland Memorial Hospital agreed to pay over $555,000 for a medical coding error that resulted in claims being sent out for reimbursement from the government even though patients did not have a primary COVID-19 diagnosis. The Texas hospital told local news source News West9 that it miscoded 87 claims last November and sent those […]
The implication of an incorrect COVID-19 diagnosis can be profound. I made a mistake last week. I was told that the joint American Hospital Association/American Health Information Management Association (AHA/AHIMA) frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding ICD-10-CM coding for COVID-19 had been updated, so I checked the website (https://www.codingclinicadvisor.com/faqs-icd-10-cm-coding-covid-19). On the introduction page, it stated, […]
The updates include unique CPT codes for a new formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and new codes for booster doses expected to roll out later this month. The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced updates to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set to account for changes to COVID-19 vaccines, including booster […]
AAPC’s senior VP of products answers more of your questions about coding for office and other outpatient services. Ever since the release of the new 2021 evaluation and management (E/M) guidelines for office and other outpatient services, AAPC has been conducting numerous trainings through webinars, virtual workshops, conference sessions, online courses, and multiple articles in […]
What are the latest code changes? Get the facts, fast. This month, there’s new billing guidance for a COVID-19 vaccine; there are three new HCPCS Level II codes for COVID-19 therapeutic injections; and Medicare payment allowances for the 2021-22 influenza vaccine codes have been released. FDA Approves COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine received the […]
Getting shots into arms has been a top priority for healthcare providers since the federal government gave the green light to several COVID-19 vaccines. But while speed was key for immunizers, medical coding efficiency has taken a major hit. At the heart of the issue is the way two major COVID-19 vaccines were created, Amber […]