The American Medical Association (AMA) implemented major changes to the 2021 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set in an effort to simplify coding and documentation of office visits and other outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services. The code set released earlier today modified E/M office visit codes 99201 through 99215 to eliminate history and physical exam as […]
In the upcoming year, medical coders can anticipate a more streamlined process in adapting to the revised code set, which encompasses alterations in E/M codes and more. Notably, the CPT® Editorial Panel has sanctioned a smaller number of new codes for 2021, providing a welcomed respite. This is particularly relieving in light of the comprehensive […]
Providers need a mechanism to be accurately reimbursed for the time and effort that they expend in providing care. Evaluation and Management (E/M) leveling has been the standard method in which to provide appropriate, defensible payments for services. However, it has been successfully argued that the 1995 and 1997 E/M guidelines in place today are […]
In this article, we going to discuss the 10 weird ICD-10 codes that most physicians haven’t had to use yet. W55.21 – Bitten By Cow ICD Code W55.21 is a non-billable code. To code a diagnosis of this type, you must use specify a 7th character that describes the diagnosis ‘bitten by cow’ in more detail. The […]
Although the integration of big data into health care has been increasing in recent years, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought this practice to the forefront, as many hospitals and care facilities struggle to keep accurate and timely records of COVID-19 cases while adhering to changing procedures implemented at the federal level. “The use of […]
The American Medical Association (AMA) has recently expanded its Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set to include four additional codes for coronavirus testing. These new codes facilitate providers in reporting a wider range of laboratory tests for the novel coronavirus on medical claims. The newly introduced CPT codes are as follows: •86408: SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody […]
Provider reimbursement is now available to physicians who tell their patients to self-isolate at the time of COVID-19 testing, according to CMS. An announcement released late last week in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said CMS will leverage existing evaluation and management (E/M) payment codes to reimburse eligible providers for the coronavirus […]
Many of us have been immersed in COVID-19 and telehealth billing, coding, and the varying rules among payors of late, all the while the clock has remained ticking on the looming changes to evaluation and management (E&M) services, effective Jan. 1, 2021. It is possible, too, that there are those who have not heard of […]
There’s a slew of new health behavior assessment codes for 2020 and, good news, they’re on Medicare’s list of services you can provide via telehealth during the public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19. Check out this rundown of the new codes and who should be using them. Assessment Codes Include Individual, Group The health […]
One billion dollars is a big number, but more astounding to me, as it pertains to a recent finding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG), was that hospitals were found to have incorrectly documented and/or coded severe malnutrition 86.5 percent of the time (173/200)! That’s […]