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Emergency Department Coding:

Get Physician Signoff on Critical Care Claims

Published on Wed Oct 22, 2025

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October 2025

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Compliance Coding:
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Path/Lab Coding:
Take This Advice to Select the Correct Tonsil Biopsy Code
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Otolaryngology Coding:
Use Combo Code in This Primary Tonsillectomy and Secondary Adenoidectomy Scenario
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Technology & Innovation:
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Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
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Neurosurgery Coding:
Know Spinal Sections to Master Anatomy
Question: I’m new to neurosurgery coding and the anatomy of the spine is still confusing [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Look Out for Dx Codes That Specify ICU
Question: The neurosurgeon performs a procedure that requires mechanical ventilation. After the surgery, the patient [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Use These Tips to Decipher Diagnostic, Therapeutic Spinal Punctures
Remember to code differently for puncture with chemo. When a patient reports to the provider [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Spur Your Understanding of Spasmodic Dysphonia
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Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Know When to Bill Separate E/M With Chemo Clearance
Question: Are there guidelines out there for when you would and would not bill an [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Identify Echocardiogram and Heart Catheterization Codes for an ED Encounter
Question: I have an encounter note with a 78-year-old patient who presented to the emergency [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Beware Payer Bundling for Multiple STI NAAT Tests
Know when payer policy overrides CPT®, NCCI rules. Consider the following scenario, common to laboratories [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Do You Have a Handle on Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?
Get your HFMD claims paid faster than it can spread. With school back in full [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Pinpoint Sample Location Precisely for Accurate Breast Biopsy Dx Coding
Question: Our lab performed a biopsy on tissue samples taken from a female patient’s upper [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Follow These Tips When Coding Pediatric Anesthesia Cases
Hint: Payers may define “medically necessary” differently for pediatric patients. They are our favorite little [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Should You Report Pain, Bloating, and Constipation Without a Diagnosis?
Question: A patient presented with abdominal pain, constipation, and bloating. The gastroenterologist treated all three [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Master These 5 Common Ophthalmic Diagnoses for Bulletproof ICD-10-CM Coding
Use 5th, 6th, and 7th characters to specify the eye condition. Ophthalmology and optometry can [...]

Practice Management:
Consider a Cheat Sheet for Scheduling Staff
Question: I’m a provider who performs minor in-office procedures. I’ve had a few situations where [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Rely On a Strong Documentation Foundation for Behavioral Health Coding, Part I
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Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Get to Know How to Code Myopic Degeneration Conditions
Question: I’m new to optometry/ophthalmology coding and I’m having trouble determining the differences between the [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Know How to Report Minimally Displaced Fractures
Question: I code for a radiology practice and I’m having trouble deciding which codes to [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Avoid Unspecified Codes When a NOS Diagnosis Is Made
Question: A patient presented to our outpatient pulmonology clinic with wheezing, shortness of breath, and [...]

General Coding:
Rely On 54 for This Out-of-Town Surgery
Question: I live in a region famous for mountain biking, and a provider in my [...]

General Coding:
Don’t Use 99050 When Your Schedule Runs Late
Question: One of the providers stayed after hours to observe a patient who received a [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Sequence This Radiation Sequela Scenario Successfully
Question: Our provider recently diagnosed a patient with lymphedema and began treating them for that [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Don’t Forget the JZ Modifier for Full Drug Administration
Question: An ophthalmologist performed an intravitreal injection of 2 mg of EYLEA on a Medicare [...]

Urology Coding:
Resolve This Genital Inflammation Repair
Question: The urologist performed a surgical procedure where a low inguinal incision was made at the [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Don’t Stress Over This Dystrophy Case
Question: The practitioner’s notes indicate that they treated a patient who had Horner’s syndrome. What is [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Follow Documentation for Croup Cases
Question: A pediatric patient presents for a barking cough, stridor, and fever. In the documentation, [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Remember Anesthesia Modifiers Are Only for Anesthesia Practitioners
Question: A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) administered anesthesia during a laparoscopy but was “supervised” [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Examine This Guide to Common Pulmonary Procedure Codes – Part 1
Pulmonary medicine encompasses a wide range of services, from basic diagnostic tests to advanced therapeutic [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Note Exception for Candidiasis When Coding UTIs
Question: A patient presented with symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and the provider [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Focus On Anatomy for Greater Auricular Nerve Block Clarification
Question: I'm looking for a code for a greater auricular nerve block. My research is [...]

In Case You Missed It (RCI Bonus Content):
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Podiatry Coding:
Can You Bill an Achilles Tendon Repair With Bone Spur Excision?
Question: A podiatrist performed a calcaneal exostectomy with Achilles tendon repair to remove a bone [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Get Physician Signoff on Critical Care Claims
Question: I am having trouble with the guidelines for critical care codes 99291 and +99292. [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Code This Periodic Physical With Additional Services
Question: When an existing patient is scheduled for their periodic physical exam, but the pediatrician addresses [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Brush Up on How to Code Minor Household Injuries
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Medicare Regulations:
Prepare Adequately for Medicare Claim Submission for Polysomnography
Question: A provider sees a Medicare beneficiary and has them evaluated via a sleep study. [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Inquire With Patient Regarding Part B Status Post-Incarceration
Question: A patient who comes to our practice was a Medicare beneficiary but was convicted [...]

E/M Coding:
Code Labs and Tests Toward MDM With Confidence
Hint: You must meet two of the three elements to meet a specific level of [...]

Compliance:
Protect Role Integrity With Policies and Adequate Staffing
Question: I am a certified professional coder (CPC®) and certified professional medical auditor (CPMA®) and [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Tackle Turf Toe Injury Coding With These Tips – Part 1
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Emergency Department Coding:
Know Myocardial Infarction Types to Ace Dx Coding
Do you know what type of MI indicates sudden cardiac death? When a patient reports [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Don’t Miss Code Notes for CGM Interpretation Codes
Question: I report 95251 when a provider evaluates the blood glucose levels of a patient [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Identify Specific Mastectomy Type for Simpler Coding
Hint: Look to the C50.- series for most diagnoses. While mastectomy coding may be relatively [...]

Urology Coding:
Refresh Your Knowledge of Foreign Body Removals
Review the CMS guidelines to make sure you’re using 52000 correctly. When a patient presents [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Add More Detail to Prevent a Downcode
Question: Can someone please help me to understand why my claims with 20680 are always [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Stay Compliant When Reporting Foot Care Claims
Question: When can a provider receive reimbursement for foot care? Our podiatrist performed the service [...]

Practice Management:
How Advanced Team-Based Care May Elevate Your Practice’s Efficiency
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General Surgery Coding:
Fix This Ulcer Debridement Claim
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Technology & Innovation:
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General Surgery Coding:
Code This Colon Resection Case
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Emergency Department Coding:
Remember to Code These Lesion Treatments Separately
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the emergency department (ED) physician shaved a pair of epidermal [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Independent Historian Should Be Clinically Necessary
Question: A patient came to an encounter with their spouse. Although the patient does not [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Refresh Your Femoral Fracture Know-How
The location, type, and treatment will all determine correct coding choices. Femoral fractures predominantly occur [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Look for Disturbances Before Choosing Dementia Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate a patient is diagnosed with severe vascular dementia. The provider notes [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Know Surgical Specifics to Stop CSF Shunt Coding Mistakes
If the encounter included add-on procedures or co-surgeons, you need to know. Patients who report [...]

Practice Management:
Navigate Exceptions for CLIA Certificate Locations
Question: Our practice has multiple locations, and our providers perform tests that are considered waived [...]

Technology & Innovation:
Are You Compliant When Using ChatGPT With Office Tasks?
Question: A staff member was writing a prior authorization request to the patient’s payer and [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Learn Why Some Payers Still Deny +58661 for Tubal Ligation After a C-Section
Get clear guidance on when you can — and can’t — report it separately. Reviewing [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Unsuccessful Pessary Fittings? Do This
Question: We’re having a discussion in my office about billing for unsuccessful pessary fittings, and [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Find Codes for This NSTEMI
Question: A patient presents to the emergency department with chest pain pressure and shortness of [...]

Urology Coding:
Count Every Seed in This Marker Placement Scenario
Question: If my urologist performs a fiducial marker placement in the office, how should this be [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Prepare Now for OPPS and ASC Payment System Changes Coming in CY 2026
The policy’s fine print holds some surprises. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Consider Chronic Pain a Condition in Itself
Question: What is the difference between acute pain and chronic pain? Massachusetts Subscriber Answer: This [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Differentiate Between Foraminal Stenosis and Neurogenic Claudication
Question: I have a radiology report for a multiplanar, multisequence noncontrast MRI of the lumbar [...]

E/M Coding:
Code This Tick Removal Encounter
Question: How should I code the following encounter? A 12-year-old established patient came to our office [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Bill for Rescue Treatment in Cases of Induced Allergic Reactions
Question: Our practice has a policy for patients who come in for allergy testing or [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Interpret Guideline I.C.2 Correctly for Flawless Neoplasm Dx Coding
Be sure to take note of these helpful examples. If you want to hone your [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Learn What Every Coder Needs to Know for Coding Hepatitis
Here’s the difference between alcoholic hepatitis and hepatitis C. As hepatitis diagnoses become increasingly common [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Do This When Coding Dysphagia and Stricture Found During Endoscopy
Question: A patient with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) presented with new-onset dysphagia. [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Practitioner Determines New or Established, Not Location
Question: If our pediatrician discharged a newborn from the hospital and then sees the same [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
High-Risk Meds During Pregnancy? Report This
Question: I need help locating the ICD-10-CM codes for use of high-risk medication during pregnancy. [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Follow These Steps for Contrast Echo Code Selection
Question: My provider is reading echos for a hospital and has read a few limited [...]

Compliance:
Use These Tips for DME Compliance
Question: I’m a newbie to durable medical equipment (DME) and not exactly sure what we [...]

General Coding:
Use These Tips to Lock Up Your Appeal
Here’s Part 2 in a series on filing appeals successfully. In August, we reviewed the [...]

E/M Coding:
Navigate NCCI Edits and Payer Policy to Understand Denial
Question: We are receiving denials for CPT® code +99417 indicating included. We are billing a [...]

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