Category: Medical Coding

CPT codes for dual flu-COVID-19 tests

AMA Has New CPT Codes for Dual Flu-COVID-19 Tests

The American Medical Association updated its Current Procedural Terminology set to include updates to coding for tests that detect influenza and COVID-19. The two new codes, per the AMA’s CPT editorial panel, are: 87636: “Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) and influenza virus types A […]
Learn More
ICD-10-CM Codes for Proper Payment

Sequence ICD-10-CM Codes for Proper Payment

Five terms lead the way to determining primary diagnosis codes. When we select diagnosis codes for billing, we are telling the story of a patient’s healthcare encounter. Patients often present with multiple conditions — some related, some not. Medical coders are tasked with selecting the most specific codes and putting them in the right order. […]
Learn More
ICD-10 Coding Tips for Influenza

ICD-10 Coding Tips for Influenza

  There has been much discussion about COVID-19 this year, but as autumn approaches, thoughts turn towards influenza season. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Policies (ACIP) recently published guidelines for flu vaccination. Their advice is that routine annual vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. The United States vaccines will include […]
Learn More
Rehab in Covid-19 Recovery

The Critical Role of Rehab In Covid-19 Recovery

  Further, the study underscored that inpatient rehab plays a unique and positive role in treating patients recovering from COVID-19. Discover key strategies hospitals can use to improve outcomes through rehabilitation for patients recovering from COVID-19. Importance of Rehab for Patients Recovering from COVID-19 At least 700,000 Americans recovering from COVID-19 will require inpatient rehabilitative […]
Learn More
2021 Coding Rules

New Coding Rules for 2021

New 2021 Coding Rules Q: Do the new 2021 coding rules for office visits apply to all payers or just Medicare and Medicaid? Also, are these rules just for office visits, or can we use them for hospital visits, nursing home services, and home visits? A: The changes to the documentation requirements are for codes […]
Learn More
Chronic Care Management Codes

Chronic Care Management Code Use Increases, But Uptake Still Lagging

Providers are increasingly using chronic care management (CCM) codes to address care fragmentation issues for patients with multiple chronic conditions. However, utilization patterns among providers could indicate some unaddressed challenges, according to a new study. The study recently published in the American Academy of Family Physicians examined publicly available Medicare data from 2015 to 2018. The data captured all […]
Learn More
2020 Coding Guide

2020 Coding Guide: Get Paid What You’re Owed

  There’s nothing more frustrating than rendering a service and not being paid. Sometimes the problem comes down to a single code. Nuanced coding rules are difficult to understand, and physicians aren’t taught this information in medical school. Still, health care is a business. As business owners, physicians need to know how they’re paid, including […]
Learn More
New COVID-19 Codes

New COVID-19 Codes Coming

  Twice a year, in March and September, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance (C&M) Committee meets, and the public is encouraged to participate. I personally find it extremely rewarding. I feel like I am contributing to the evolution of the ICD-10-CM code set. I had aspired to attend […]
Learn More
x