As healthcare documentation continues to evolve, the ability to accurately capture procedures performed in inpatient settings is vital for patient safety, proper reimbursement, and compliance. One of the most sophisticated tools used in this context is the ICD-10-PCS (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System). Designed for inpatient procedure coding in the U.S., […]
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently conducted a review of Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs) that required more than 96 consecutive hours of mechanical ventilation. The audit focused on compliance with Medicare payment requirements and accurate Mechanical Ventilation Coding and code assignment. A total of […]
The latest ICD-10-PCS codes and guidelines for the fiscal year 2024 have been unveiled by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). With a net growth of 73 codes, the total count of inpatient procedure codes has reached 78,603. Notably, the New Technology Section has experienced the largest surge, introducing 40 new codes. The […]
Prepare for the upcoming release of the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for the 2024 fiscal year (FY) – the latest development in the coding world. These codes are expected to be released soon, allowing facilities and vendors to make necessary preparations for implementation by October 1, 2023. In the meantime, it’s crucial to review and […]
Arrive at the correct procedure code by breaking down the operative report. Even seasoned coding professionals occasionally find it challenging to assign the appropriate ICD-10-PCS codes from the operative report. Mastering the procedural coding system used in the inpatient hospital setting takes practice. Medical coders reporting inpatient services should start by reading the operative report, […]
Solidify your understanding of aortic valve disease and how to report this life-changing treatment. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive cardiac procedure to replace a diseased aortic valve in a person’s heart. The most common reason to undergo TAVR is aortic stenosis, which is an abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve opening […]
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. […]
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, […]
The NCTAP was finalized as part of CMS’ fourth COVID-19 interim final rule. CMS on January 27 updated coding and billing instructions to hospitals for new COVID-19 treatments add-on payment (NCTAP). The NCTAP was finalized as part of CMS’ fourth COVID-19 interim final rule with comment period (IFC-4) and is effective November 2, 2020 through the end of the public health […]
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. […]