Trouble viewing? See it online! Wednesday, April 8, 2020
 

CE Articles
Navigating April OPPS updates: HCPCS coding for PLA services, COVID-19 testing
In its April update to the OPPS, CMS made effective new Proprietary Laboratory Analysis (PLA) codes for biochemical assays and billing codes for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) laboratory tests. Hospital coders should review these updates to ensure that they are selecting the most specific codes for these services.

Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Modifier -22: Recognize and report unusually difficult procedures
Modifier -22 frequently causes compliance headaches for revenue cycle professionals. Review CPT reporting requirement for this commonly misused modifier to ensure that your physicians are being appropriately reimbursed for increased procedural work.
COVID-19 physiology primer for coding professionals
Over 330,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this article, Alba Kuqi, MD, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, CRCR, CICA, CSCM, writes about the virus’s etiology and how to effectively document and code for COVID-19 diagnoses.
Healthcare News: CDC releases official ICD-10-CM guidelines for COVID-19
On March 31, the CDC updated the 2020 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting to include guidance for reporting the novel coronavirus and associated respiratory illnesses, effective April 1 through September 30.
Q&A: Reporting an E/M visit for a patient exposed to COVID-19
Q: How would you report an E/M visit for a new patient who was exposed to COVID-19 and sent to a diagnostic testing site?
 

New on JustCoding.com

New on JustCoding Platinum!       

Platinum members can access a modifier -22 explanation form used to clarify the need for additional reimbursement in complex surgical cases where physician work exceeded the norm. If you are not a Platinum member and you want to upgrade your account, please call customer service at 800-650-6787.

Free quiz

Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features E/M codes for outpatient office visits.

Mini poll

What impact has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had on your workload?

Click here to share your answer.
 

SelectCoder Tip of the Week

Acute repiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening condition that has symptoms of dyspnea, tachypnea, and hypoxemia. Fluid builds up in the alveoli and decreases the amount of oxygen that is circulated through the bloodstream. Low levels of oxygen in the blood impairs organ function. ARDS differs from acute respiratory distress, which is reported using ICD-10-CM code R06.03.

Interested in more coding tips and claim validation tools? Click here to sign up for a demo or to learn more about SelectCoder. 
 

    

SIGN UP | FORWARD | SPONSOR
 
 

Platinum Newsletters

Platinum members can view the latest stories from Briefings on APCs and Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies. 
 

Product Spotlight

Revitalize ICD-10-CM and CPT Coding for Wound Care

During this 90-minute live and on-demand webinar, Gloria Miller, CPC, CPMA, CPPM, will review the latest ICD-10-CM codes for different types of wounds and associated complications, and CPT coding for wound care management. 

For more information, call 800-650-6787 or visit the HCPro Healthcare Marketplace.
 

Contact Us

Sarah Gould
Editor
JustCoding News: Outpatient
editor@justcoding.com


HCPro
35 Village Road, Suite 200
Middleton, MA 01949
800-650-6787
http://www.hcpro.com
 

New to JustCoding?

Click the following links to:
 

Career Center

Post your open positions or find your next career move with the HCPro Career Center.