Category: Medical Coding

the-impact-of-coding-on-maternal-outcomes-part-ii

The Impact of Coding on Maternal Outcomes: Part II

Coding blood transfusions on maternity patients saves lives. If you are a “frontline” coder buried in the minutiae of day-to-day coding, discussions about quality initiatives may not be in the forefront of your brain. We often hear of the importance of these programs in improving patient outcomes, and how critical “accurate and consistent” coding is. […]
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The Impact of Coding on Maternal Outcomes

While most maternal deaths are preventable, the rate has been increasing in the United States since 2000. As a matter of fact, the U.S. has twice as many maternal deaths than other high-income countries. To reverse this trend, The Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Agency for Healthcare Research […]
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New ICD-10-CM/PCS Codes Warrant Attention

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, […]
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2021 E/M Changes: Are You Coding Unique Tests Properly?

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 […]
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AMA Issues More COVID-19 Vaccine Codes

 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 […]
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COVID-19 AHA/AHIMA FAQ Revisions Made

  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, […]
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