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ICD-10-CM Coding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and persistent inflammatory lung disease resulting in limited airflow. Primary causes of COPD are long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most commonly from cigarette...
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Demystifying EKG and Telemetry for the Non-Clinician
Electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG) and telemetry are indispensable tools in the field of cardiac health. They have revolutionized how healthcare professionals diagnose and monitor various heart conditions, from arrhythmias to heart attacks. EKGs record ...
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Navigating Healthcare Claims and Audits for Purchased Diagnostic Testing
Navigating Healthcare Claims and Audits for Purchased Diagnostic Testing: In the complex world of healthcare, accurate reporting of services is crucial for ensuring quality patient care and fair compensation for medical providers. One significant asp...
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Should I Report the Symptom or Confirmed Diagnoses for Testing?
Coders frequently ask questions about the guidelines surrounding coding symptoms vs. confirmed diagnoses, especially when tests are ordered during an encounter to rule out a condition, illness, or disease.
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Optimizing HCC Coding for Accurate Reimbursement
Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) codes are an integral aspect of healthcare’s ongoing transition from fee-for-service to a value-based care model of reimbursement—a transition that requires
providers to better manage patient costs based on a ...
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Tomorrow's Doctors: Evolving Trends in Healthcare Specialty Training
If you're in healthcare or aspiring to be, specialty training is where the rubber meets the road. It's the bridge from general medical knowledge to honed expertise in a particular field. You've probably caught wind of how specialty training in health...
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Understanding CPT Code Range 92920-93793 in Cardiology Billing
The realm of cardiology encompasses a vast array of specialized services and procedures, demanding precise documentation and accurate coding for proper reimbursement. Understanding the specific CPT codes within the range of 92920-93793 is crucial for...
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Missing HCC Codes Leave Money on the Table
Improper clinical documentation of one patient can mean a difference of more than $10,000 in yearly estimated healthcare costs. How much money are you potentially leaving on the table?
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Big Changes Will Streamline CPT Coding for Immunization
Significant changes in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT ® ) code set for immunizations reflect the changing nature of how COVID-19 is being addressed as actions transition from a public health emergency response to combatting emerging variants...
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Basics of Billing for New Patient Visits in 2024
New patient visits can be bustling hubs of activity, but ensuring flawless billing for new patient visits shouldn't add to the chaos. This article equips primary care providers with the latest knowledge and technical expertise to navigate the process...
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The Impact and Challenges of Sequencing Z Codes for Reimbursement
Every year, we get updates to the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, and this year, for reporting year 2024, we received an update regarding Chapter 21 for follow-up codes Z08 and Z09. The accurate sequencing of these Z codes was emphasize...
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Updated ICD-10-CM Codes for Appendicitis
According to JAMA, there are approximately 250,000 cases of appendicitis diagnosed annually in the United States. Appendicitis can quickly spiral out of control when a perforation of the appendix occurs, and a patient becomes septic. Understanding th...
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Medical Practice Relocation Tips for Moving to a New Location
Roughly 40 million Americans relocate each year. In 2022 alone, the U.S. Postal Service processed over 33 million change-of-address forms. However, people aren't the only ones capable of moving – businesses can, too. If you are a healthcare provider ...
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Update on Policy for Using Modifiers JW and JZ
JW has been a requirement since 2017; however, Medicare is using the JW modifier and JZ modifier to calculate discarded drug refunds, effective January 1, 2023.
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Capturing HCCs in a Changing World
On March 31, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2024 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates along with Part C and Part D payment policies. The largest key decision in the release was the finalized propo...
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