The administrative burden of accurate medical coding is a major contributor to physician burnout—a challenge exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies consistently rank coding-related stress as one of the top concerns for healthcare providers. Medical Coding Mistakes, whether due to oversight or complexity, can have severe financial repercussions for medical practices. Denied claims, reduced reimbursements, […]
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 […]
The ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, and Clinical Modification) is a vital tool for accurately documenting and coding diagnoses in healthcare settings. As the field of mental health coding continues to evolve, it’s essential for clinicians and coders alike to stay updated on the latest guidelines and revisions. The 2024 update to the […]
Regulatory changes, advances in healthcare technology, and an ever-increasing emphasis on accurate and efficient documentation are constantly driving the evolution of medical coding. Medical coders must keep up with these trends to ensure successful careers and optimal healthcare delivery in 2024. We share the top trends influencing medical coding 2024 in this newsletter, enabling you […]
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: 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 […]
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 […]
Medical Coding Audits: Whenever you receive an “audit” email, do you feel a knot in your stomach? Fear not, fellow coder! Audits are an important part of maintaining secure, efficient, and well-documented code. They help identify areas for improvement and potential bugs before they cause major problems. It is the purpose of this newsletter to […]
Medical coding is a dynamic field, driven as much by technological advancements as by healthcare practices and regulatory changes. As we are moving into 2024, we can see that several important trends are shaping the future of this important field. Future of Medical Coding 2024: 1. Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) […]
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 […]