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Do you question how your compensation and work responsibilities compare to those reported by coders across the country? To see how you stack up, review results from JustCoding’s 2017 Coder Salary Survey.
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CE Articles
2017 coder salary survey: Salaries stagnate, frustrations linger

Do you question how your salary and work responsibilities compare to those reported by coders across the country? To see how you stack up, review results from JustCoding’s 2017 Coder Salary Survey.

Note: To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Identify sinusitis and correctly report sinus procedures
Every year, more than 30 million people in the United States are diagnosed with sinusitis, otherwise known as a sinus infection. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA, reviews signs and symptoms of sinusitis and CPT coding for procedures used to treat the infection. 
Prepare your coding department to perform effective audits
When planning to implement a coding auditing program, the type of reviews, focus areas, and review frequency must all be taken into consideration. Rose T. Dunn, MBA, RHIA, CPA/CGMA, FACHE, FHFMA, CHPS, details how to conduct an effective coding audit and ensure compliance with documentation requirements.
Healthcare News: CMS asserts commitment to reducing regulatory burden, reforming E/M at AHA meeting
At the 2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, May 7, CMS administrator Seema Verma focused on the agency’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and continued move from a fee-for-service to value-based system.
Q&A: Reporting and billing CPT codes for ulcer debridement on multiple sites
Q: A patient receives treatment for two ulcers, one on his foot and one on his hip. The physician performs a subcutaneous debridement to treat the foot ulcer and a muscle debridement to treat the hip ulcer. How would this be reported?
 

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SelectCoder Tip of the Week

Only assign CPT code 20693 (adjustment or revision of external fixation system requiring anethesia [e.g. new pins or wires]) when the described adjustment or revision is done under anesthesia; bedside or office adjustments of the fixator are considered inherent in the typical protocols for the fixation system, and are not reported outside of the original procedure(s).

When performed at the same time as other separately identifiable but unrelated procedures, append this code with modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) to indicate the procedure is "separate and distinct." Payer guidelines prevail.

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Product Spotlight

2018 Modifier Update: Guidance and Regulations for Hospitals 

Hospital coders and billers are constantly faced with modifier reporting challenges. During this 90-minute webinar, Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CHCAF, COC, CCP, FCS, and Susan E. Garrison, CHCA, CHCAS, CCS-P, CHC, CPAR, CPC, COC, will review the proper application of modifiers such as -25, -33, -CA, and -FX, as well as those required for identifying drugs, such as -JW.

The presentation will include instructions for applying updated regulations and guidance, tips for reporting, and case scenarios for the most challenging modifiers. 

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


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JustCoding's Member Spotlight

Dawn Monegato, MSHI, RHIA, CCS, director of Enterprise Coding at Advocate Healthcare, has 10 years of experience in the coding industry.

Why did you get into this line of work?

I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I initially considered majoring in nursing. I was also interested in technology, so my counselor suggested an HIM course. I decided to give it a try and haven’t looked back since.

Continue reading the member spotlight here.

JustCoding is always looking for more members to feature in this section. If you’d like to share your coding story, please email editor Sarah Gould at sgould@hcpro.com.
 

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