Category: Medical Coding

chronic migraine with aura

2024 ICD-10-CM Update Enhances Chronic Migraine

The good news for coders is that the 2024 ICD-10-CM update allows for more specific coding of chronic migraine with aura, improving accuracy and potentially helping patients access treatment. Diagnosing Migraine: A Complex Puzzle While the International Headache Society defines chronic migraine, pinpointing the exact type can be challenging. Migraines come in various forms, and […]
Telehealth coding

Master Telehealth Coding: A Guide to Reimbursement and Avoiding Denials

Navigating the complexities of telehealth coding is crucial for ensuring that services are properly reimbursed. This guide provides essential information and tips for coding telehealth services accurately, helping physicians avoid denials and recoupments. 1. Telephone Services: Use Cases: Suitable for straightforward problems like simple rashes, asymptomatic coughs, and medication refills. Requires a minimum of five […]
medical-coding-compliance-strategy-to-reimbursement

3 Coding Compliance Strategies to Improve Reimbursement, Quality

The Crucial Role of Medical Coding Compliance in a Value-Based World: Telling the Patient’s Story for Better Billing and Quality Care. Medical Coders: The Unsung Storytellers of Healthcare Medical coders play a critical role in hospitals, but their importance often goes unnoticed. They’re the storytellers behind the scenes, analyzing patient records, selecting billing codes, and […]
Medical coding Audits

Medical Coding Audits: Trends and Guide for Providers

The landscape of medical coding audits is constantly evolving.  Staying informed about these trends and implementing best practices can significantly reduce stress and ensure a smooth audit experience. The Shifting Landscape of Medical Coding Audits Traditionally, medical coding audits felt like a lottery. Providers faced the uncertainty of random reviews, often scrambling to address issues […]
CPT Modifier

Six Tips to Getting Paid for CPT Modifiers

In medical coding, CPT modifier are vital for accurate reimbursement of healthcare services. These special codes, attached to primary procedure codes, provide additional details about the complexity or extent of a service. However, using modifiers incorrectly can lead to claim denials and lost revenue. This blog post shares six key tips to help you get […]
Medical coding guide

14 Things To Know About Medical Coding

In this blog, you should know why healthcare providers need to be aware of the medical coding guide. 1. What is Medical Coding? Medical coding is the process of translating medical diagnoses, procedures, and services into universal alphanumeric codes for proper documentation and billing purposes. 2. Importance of Accuracy: Accurate medical coding is crucial for […]
modifier 58 vs modifier 78

Modifier 58 Versus 78 – Which Should You Use?

Modifier 58 vs Modifier 78:  Modifier 58: Same underlying condition, planned or unplanned additional procedure. Modifier 78: New problem caused by the initial surgery (complication) requiring a return to the OR. Medical Coders often struggle to differentiate between modifier 58 (staged/related procedure) and modifier 78 (unplanned return to OR). Let’s break down the key differences […]
HCPCS Level II Codes

HCPCS Level II Code Updates for July 2024

The HCPCS Level II quarterly update for July 2024 is now available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. The update includes: 134 added codes 9 discontinued codes 32 codes with long description changes 3 codes with payment changes New HCPCS Level II Codes Effective July 1, 2024, there is one new […]
When to Use Modifiers 52, 73, 74

Demystifying Facility Coding

Modifiers 52: Professional fee-for-service guidelines for modifiers do not apply in the clinical setting. Reduced, Failed, Aborted, Aborted… which one? What are the requirements for using modifiers 52, 73 and 74? These questions are common in the coding center world, and  the answers  never seem to be clear. Confusingly mix up the medical code instructions […]
April 2024 HCPCS Level II Code

HCPCS Level II Code Updates for April 2024

The official April 2024 update to the HCPCS Level II code set is now available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.  April update includes: 62 new codes 2 changes to scope and long description 21 obsolete codes 11 changes to long description 1 change to changes miscellaneous changes Below are some  code […]