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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The fiscal year 2024 ICD-10-CM codes have recently become active, and they will have an impact on your reimbursement. Earlier this year, CMS announced the incorporation of 395 fresh diagnosis codes, removal of 25 codes from the diagnosis set, and modification of 13 codes— all of which became effective on October 1. A substantial portion […]
Have you ever received a medical bill that left you perplexed, questioning how the expenses added up and left you scratching your head? If that’s the case, you’re certainly not alone. Billing for radiology can be intricate and confusing, involving numerous codes and procedures. Unfortunately, errors in medical billing are all too frequent, resulting in […]
Modifiers 79: Know how to differentiate modifiers 79, 78, and 58to ensure proper reimbursement for all procedures performed. Modifiers convey important information about a claim and can directly affect reimbursement. But choosing the most appropriate modifier can be confusing — especially when two or more modifiers have similar descriptors. Modifiers 58, 78, and 79 are all […]
Typical CDI programs are intended to drive reimbursement through diagnosis securement, contributing to improved case mix index. The COVID-19 pandemic is placing monumental financial stressors upon hospitals, with added costs to treat patients with high acuity and long length of stays, coupled with significant revenue loss associated with postponement of more profitable elective surgeries, […]
A year since COVID-19 hit U.S. shores, the pandemic is still raging as deaths and cases strain hospital resources. Amid the scrambling, however, providers and payers are adjusting to a new normal likely to continue for months if not beyond. Though arrival of vaccines has prompted hope, the rollout has been slow and fragmented, left up to […]
Artificial intelligence is changing the way we think about healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, opening our eyes to new opportunities to use machine learning to draw useful conclusions faster. Before COVID-19, one of the biggest challenges healthcare organizations faced was how to accelerate and scale their application of AI—clinically and operationally. Now, the use cases […]