Category: Medical Coding

OB/GYN Coding

Correct Common OB/GYN Coding Mistakes

Overlooking separately billable services rendered during the global period will cost your practice dearly. Many obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN Coding) practices are coding deliveries incorrectly or failing to submit claims for “problem visits” during a prenatal or postpartum visit. Common mistakes such as these not only fail to capture payment for services rendered but also the meaningful […]
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LT/RT Modifiers

Change To RT And LT Modifiers Use

The Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MAC) are changing the requirement that medical coders to use the right (RT) and left (LT) modifiers for certain HCPCS codes, and that the modifiers be used when billing two of the same item or accessory on the same date of service and the items are being used bilaterally. The […]
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ICD-10-PCS Code

CMS Releases FY 2020 ICD-10-PCS Codes Set

CMS released the fiscal year (FY) 2020 ICD-10-PCS changes on Friday, May 31, which include two code revisions, 734 additions, and 2,056 invalidations. The files include information on ICD-10-PCS updates that all inpatient coders must use for discharges occurring from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020. The total number of ICD-10-PCS codes for 2019 was 78,881. […]
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HCPCS Coding

CMS Announces HCPCS Coding, Coverage And Payment Initiatives To Improve Patient Access To New Technologies

On May 2, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS or the Agency) announced in a press release that it will be changing how frequently the Agency reviews applications for new and revised Level II codes under the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). Specifically, CMS stated that the Agency “is moving to a process with […]
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Medical Coding Services

CMS To Revamp Coding For New Medical Technology

Dive Brief CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced Thursday the agency will overhaul coding regulations that she argues have hindered beneficiary access to new medical technology. Medical device companies will now be able to apply for a new permanent Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code twice a year, instead of annually. CMS also recently eliminated […]
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Medicare Payment

Medicare Payments For Top 10 ASC Codes Through 2019

Medicare payments for the top 10 current procedural terminology codes performed by ASCs are expected to remain relatively stable in 2019 compared to 2018, according to VMG Health. 66984: Cataract surgery with insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis (one-stage procedure), manual or mechanical technique Estimated 2017 payments: $1,172 Estimated 2018 payments: $1,206 Estimated 2019 payments: $1,182 45380: […]
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Pain Management

Pain Management and The Global Period

Pain management during the global period of a procedure, if related to that procedure, is not separately reportable. If a provider other than the operating provider performs follow-up care, you must be careful to avoid “unbundling” of that follow-up care. The global period, or global surgical package, bundles all care typically related to surgical service into a […]
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