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ICD-10 Coding Alert

Diagnosis Focus:
Dial In Hypertension Coding With Answers to These FAQs
Hint: Rely on combination category I13- for hypertensive heart and CKD. According to the ... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Check Your Breast Cancer Coding Knowledge
Make sure you're acknowledging history codes. Patients who have conditions requiring sur... Read more
Condition Coding:
Trace the Cause of Liver Diseases and Other Issues
Don't forget to consider the documentation requirements. The liver is a complex organ th... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Find Answers and Rationale for Breast Cancer Scenarios
Hint: Don't forget you may need to query a physician. Compare your answers with these s... Read more
Reader Question:
Define Reiter’s Disease
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the physician treated a patient with Reiter's... Read more
Reader Question:
Note Effusion Duration
Question: My otolaryngologist documented otitis media with effusion for one patient a... Read more
Reader Question:
Distinguish Hydrocephalus Types
Question: What are the differences among the hydrocephalus diagnosis codes in ICD-10... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Consider This Labor, Delivery, and Sterilization Encounter
Question: A 27-year-old patient who is 40 weeks pregnant presented to the emergency r... Read more
Diagnosis Deep Dive:
Code Heart Attacks With Confidence
Plus, find out how to code the condition after it heals. Knowing how to code a myocardial... Read more
Condition Focus:
Become Familiar With Retinal Condition Diagnoses
Find out which details can lead to the most specific codes. Many conditions affect the re... Read more
Mythbusters:
Boost Your ENT Coding Prowess
Knowing the guidelines well will let you steer clear of misinformation. Coders who specia... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Define OFF Episode
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed a level-three office e... Read more
Reader Question:
Find Correct Dementia Code for Vascular Version
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with mild vas... Read more
Reader Question:
Find Options to Report Persistent Cough
Question: Our pediatrician documented that a patient had an “unexplained cough.” ... Read more
Reader Question:
Take Advantage of Opportunities to Educate Providers
Question: Our provider tends to use the terms “epigastric pain” and “heartburn... Read more
Radiology Coding:
Gather Your 7th Character Options for Fractures
Report open or closed for accuracy. There may be a finite of number categories to descri... Read more
Diagnosis Deep Dive:
Be Prepared to Report Pleural Effusion
Hint: The Code first notes are crucial reading. Patients may present to a pulmonologist ... Read more
Back to Basics:
Relieve Your Headache Coding Questions
Keep timelines in mind for correct categories. There are hundreds of different headache ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Find Out Which Character You Need for Wrist Displacement
Question: A patient presented to an outpatient radiology practice after suffering a fall a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Report Lumpectomy Like This
Question: I'm trying to determine the appropriate ICD-10-CM code for a patient who has had... Read more
Reader Questions:
Become Familiar With Shigellosis
Question: A patient reports to the emergency department (ED) complaining of severe stomach... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Forget Laterality When Reporting This Dx
Question: I'm having a little trouble with the abbreviations on an encounter note. What IC... Read more
Code Updates:
Beware These Changes to Common Conditions
Hint: Pay attention to taxonomy to navigate code selection. Oct. 1, 2023, is just around ... Read more
Gastroenterology Focus:
Reach for More Specificity With 2024 Updates
Find out how to report intestinal bacteria overgrowth. Knowing which specialty-specific ... Read more
Specialty Spotlight:
Incorporate Diagnosis Code Updates for FBR
Plus, find some expert tips on coding FBR encounters. Foreign body removal (FBR) encount... Read more
Reader Questions:
Rely on Coding Symptoms if Dx Unconfirmed
Question: A 75-year-old new patient came into our pulmonology office complaining of a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know This Less Common Name for an STI
Question: I'm new to ob-gyn coding. My ob-gyn documented that the patient has “cond... Read more
Reader Questions:
Say Hello to Hay Fever
Question: I have a medical report where the physician diagnosed the patient with hay... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Consider This ED Encounter With Admission
Question: A patient visited our emergency department (ED) with complaints of coughing... Read more
ICD-10 Coding Updates:
Here Are Some Changes You Need to Know
Remember: These updates go into effect Oct. 1. This year's ICD-10-CM updates include appr... Read more
Cardiology Focus:
Beware Code Changes to These Common Cardiac Conditions
The countdown is on until the code updates go into effect. Don't dither on learning the... Read more
Specialty Focus:
Rely on the Guidelines for Top-Notch Oncology Coding
Don't get lost in the Dx weeds: Code the reason for the encounter first. The ICD-10-CM ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Define ‘Cauda Equina’
Question: What is the proper diagnosis code for cauda equina, and how does this condition ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Learn Which Conditions Are ‘External’ for Epileptic Seizures
Question: The ED physician treated a patient with alcohol-related epileptic seizures. The ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Count Lack of Funds for Rx As SDoH
Question: During a recent follow-up appointment with an established patient, the patient e... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Nail Down Tonsillectomy Specifics
Question: An 11-year-old patient undergoes primary tonsillectomy due to acute recurrent to... Read more
Diagnosis Focus:
Find Answers to Some Diabetes Coding FAQs
Plus: Pocket some tips for provider education. Regardless of your practice specialty, you... Read more
Specialty Spotlight:
Brush Up on Menopause-Related Coding
Don't let your mind go blank when coding this common condition. The ability to distinguis... Read more
Code Deep Dive:
Need to Report Drug Therapy? There’s a Code for That
Knowing the ins and outs of Z79.- lets you incorporate a lot of information. You've had... Read more
Specialty Spotlight:
Compare Your Knowledge of Postmenopausal Conditions to Answers, Here
Hint: Estrogen levels are key. Are your answers picture-perfect? Find out how to navigat... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look to Location for Correct Coding of Neoplasm
Question: For ICD-10-CM code C50.1-, what constitutes the “central portion” of the bre... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish O Code Families
Question: There are different families of O codes for hemorrhage (we are comfortable using... Read more
Reader Questions:
See Index As Starting Point
Question: A payer denied a claim for an adult patient with attention deficit hyperactivity... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Check NCCI to Confirm Coding Choices
Question: A patient recently underwent a right kidney transplant. I have a report for a co... Read more
Specialty Spotlight:
Beware These Sequela Myths
Hint: Know when the character ‘S' applies. Providers don't always see patients during ... Read more
Diagnosis Focus:
Look for These Particulars When Navigating DIILDs
Tip: Code symptoms until the diagnosis is certain. A patient may require several encoun... Read more
Condition Deep Dive:
Rely on Anatomic Terms to Report Incontinence Coding
Don't confuse stress incontinence with other types of voiding. Coding incontinence requir... Read more
Reader Questions:
Depend on Location for Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed a level-five office ev... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use Location As Foundation for Pain Code
Question: A 31-year-old patient saw our gastroenterologist complaining of abdominal p... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know When a Z Code Comes First
Question: A patient underwent plastic surgery to reconstruct the nose and septum aft... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Don’t Forget About Multiple Codes
Question: A patient came to our office after visiting the emergency department (ED) w... Read more
Code Updates:
Explore These SDoH-Adjacent Updates
If your provider suspects — or patients confirm — various social determinants of healt... Read more
Diagnosis Focus:
Try These Tips for Coding Acute Respiratory Failure
Know when a patient with a chronic condition needs an acute code reported. Acute respirat... Read more
Specialty Spotlight:
Remember These Caveats When Coding Pressure Ulcer
Follow ICD-10-CM guidelines and note debridement descriptors. Consider a situation in whi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Confuse Patient History With Current Diagnosis
Question: Our practice just brought in a new physician and every time they perform catarac... Read more
Reader Questions:
Rely on Signs and Symptoms for Suspected Dx
Question: Our gastroenterologist had an initial consult with a new patient who suffered up... Read more
Reader Questions:
Educate Providers on Correct Code Reporting
Question: It looks like my providers recently started selecting their own ICD-10 codes. Th... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know ‘EVALI’ Acronym
Question: A patient presented to our clinic complaining of cough, shortness of breath, che... Read more
Diagnosis Deep Dive:
Navigate the Varied Terms of J41-
See how ‘simple' bronchitis can actually be rather complex. If you come across a patien... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Pocket These Tips for Coding Hypotension Correctly
Remember: You should include cause for accuracy. There are a lot of ICD-10-CM diagnosis c... Read more
Condition Coding:
Clarify Gout Categories for Accurate Code Selection
Tip: Look to Section M in your ICD-10-CM book. Before you became a coder, you may have a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use ‘Bruit’ to Map Diagnosis Code
Question: Encounter notes indicate the physician diagnosed a patient with arterial br... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Use ‘Newborn,’ ‘Infant’ Interchangeably
Question: The pediatrician evaluated a 5-day-old patient who was born prematurely. Af... Read more
Reader Questions:
Always Check Guidelines Before Selecting Codes
Question: A patient presented to the office with a painless lump behind their ear. Ou... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Consider Situations for Multiple Dx Codes
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the neurosurgeon provided 62 minutes of criti... Read more
Diagnosis Focus:
Navigate Myriad Myocardial Infarction Code Choices
Beware the difference between NSTEMI and STEMI. There are many different ICD-10-CM codes ... Read more
Specialty Spotlight:
Test Your Corneal Dx Coding Knowledge
Hint: Rely on the Alphabetic Index for one common corneal condition. While the ICD-10-C... Read more
Clip and Save:
Pocket These ICD-10-CM Codes for EMG
Don't forget that a nerve conduction study (NCS) can affect code choice. There are a stag... Read more
Reader Questions:
Abide by This Flu Vaccination Coding Convention
Question: Can I use Z23 as the primary code for a flu vaccination encounter? Codify... Read more
Reader Questions:
Brush Up on Eating Disorder Terminology
Question: I'm seeing three different codes for binging and purging conditions in ICD-... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish Provisional Tic from Tourette’s
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the physician treated a patient suffering fro... Read more
Reader Questions:
Learn Other Name for Steinert Disease
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed a level-three evaluati... Read more
Reader Questions:
Rely on Anatomy Knowledge for Endarterectomy Coding
Question: Our vascular surgeon performed a right popliteal endarterectomy for a patie... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Note Location of Foreign Body in Laparoscopic Prostatectomy
Question: Below is my provider's surgical note. As documented, they performed a robot... Read more
Diagnosis Focus:
Never Again Get Lost While Coding Pharyngitis
Hint: Exposure to smoking may be relevant. Pharyngitis may seem like a cut-and-dry codin... Read more
Guidelines:
Use Sensitivity and Precision When Coding Abuse
Navigate contrary ICD-10-CM instructions with confidence. Encountering abuse can bring up... Read more
Case Study:
Use These Markers to Distinguish ‘Diagnostic’ from ‘Screening’ for Drug Testing
Looking at the order can provide helpful context. If you work at a lab and receive a requ... Read more
Diagnosis Focus:
Remember These 3 Tips When Coding Kidney Stones
Look to the N20-N22 codes, but don't forget to see whether N13.2 fits, too. Selecting the... Read more
Reader Questions:
Substitute ‘Post’ for ‘Long’ in This COVID Dx
Question: A patient presented with fatigue that affects their daily life, a lingerin... Read more
Reader Questions:
Define ‘Complicated’ for This Headache Syndrome
Question: What is complicated headache syndrome? How do I choose an ICD-10 code for t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Beware Vagueness Surrounding ‘Long-Term’
Question: I have always used three months or longer as the cut off to apply the Z79 ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Order Matters When Coding Breathing Difficulty
Question: A patient with a history of asthma (controlled by medication) came in compl... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Beware: The Word ‘Fertility’ Could Cause Payers Pause
Hint: Consultation codes can come in handy. Although a general rule of thumb is to code f... Read more
Knowledge Check:
Evaluate Your Knowledge of Pulmonology Code Updates
Do you know how to code newborn sleep apnea correctly? You've seen the updates and have m... Read more
Diagnosis Focus:
Rely on These Tips for Coding Aortic Aneurysms
Pay attention to code first notes. ICD-10-CM code updates can rejigger how you code a cla... Read more
Knowledge Check:
Find Your Pulmonology-Focused Answers Here
Look to J95.87 for TAD. Find out how your answers match up with these experts' advice fr... Read more
Reader Question:
Be Careful Coding This Tricky Location
Question: A patient came in for a scheduled diagnostic mammography after she felt a l... Read more
Reader Question:
Use R17.0 for Hepatomegaly
Question: I have a report stating a patient was evaluated for hepatomegaly via ultrasound.... Read more
Reader Question:
Distinguish ‘Other Keratitis’ From ‘Unspecified’
Question: Can you explain the difference between H16.8 and H16.9? I often have troubl... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know These Options for Shy-Drager Syndrome
Question: During an office evaluation and management (E/M) service for an established pati... Read more
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