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Internal Medicine Coding Alert

CPT® Coding:
Use This Advice to Master Vaccination Coding
Remember to check for supply coding chances. If your internist performs vaccinations f... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Use This Quiz to Check I&D Smarts
How do you get paid for repeat procedures within global period? When your clinician pe... Read more
Quiz Answers:
Read Experts' Input on Coding Scenarios
How many did you get right? Read on to find out. Scenario 1: Simple vs. Complicated I&... Read more
Reader Question:
Retests Can Change Pap Smear Coding
Question: Our internist recently performed a repeat Pap smear for a woman as her Pa... Read more
Reader Question:
Know How to Report Feeding Difficulties
Question: If our internist reported “feeding difficulties,” what code s... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Don't Get Bit by Incorrect Stinger Removal Coding
Question: An established patient presented to our internist after being stung by a ... Read more
CCI Update:
Check Out Latest CCI Edits to File Cleanest Debridement Claims Possible
Here’s what to do when the debridement code is in Column 1. The latest version o... Read more
E/M Coding:
Use These Tips for Top-Notch Prolonged Services Reporting
Remember to keep indirect, face-to-face care separate. If your internist performs an e... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Stay Cool With This Spot-On Burn Coding Advice
Experts: Diagnosis codes vital to burn treatment claims. When your internist performs ... Read more
Reader Question:
Most Ages Fall Under This Feeding Difficulties Dx
Question: If our physician reported “feeding difficulties,” what code s... Read more
Reader Question:
Contact Payer to Nail Down Sports Physicals Coding
Question: I am new to internal medicine coding, and I was looking at reporting spor... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Clearing Cerumen for Ear Exam
Question: Our internist performed removal of cerumen by irrigating the ears of a pa... Read more
CPT® 2017 Update:
Learn The Coding Changes Affecting Internal Medicine In 2017
Influenza vaccines to be based on dosage. If you have been thinking about what CPT®... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Zika Virus Reporting: New Item in 2017 ICD-10
  Use symptoms to support testing for the virus. As more patients with Zika vir... Read more
Part B Coding:
Part B Update: You Are Not Bound to Accept Each and Every New Medicare Patient
MACs clarify doubts over “incident to” and “shared/split” servic... Read more
Reader Question:
Sports Physicals: 97005 or E/M Codes?
Question: I am new to Internal Medicine Coding, and I was looking at reporting spor... Read more
Reader Question:
FBR with Wound Exploration
Question: Our clinician recently performed wound exploration for a patient who had ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Same Code For Aspiration and Injection During Arthrocentesis
Question: When our physician performed arthrocentesis of the left shoulder, he perf... Read more
E/M Coding:
4 Handy E/M Coding Tips For Accurate Reporting
Watch out to avoid down-coding the encounter. When reporting E/M encounters, you might... Read more
Preventive Services:
Master Tobacco Cessation Counseling Reporting With These 4 Pointers
Document time accurately to avoid chances of underpayments. When reporting tobacco ces... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Perfect Wound Debridement Reporting with These 4 Tips
Hint: Watch edits when reporting multiple wound debridement of different depths. When ... Read more
Reader Question:
Can 69209 Be Reported With 69210?
Question: Our internist performed removal of cerumen impaction of both the ears. He... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Reporting Established E/M is Possible Without One Key Component
Question: I have newly joined into internal medicine coding. Recently, when reporti... Read more
Mythbuster:
Steer Clear Of These 4 New vs. Established E/M Myths to Strengthen Your Claims
Hint: Patient status determined by physician relationship, not by POS. Whenever a pati... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Ensure Foreign Body Removal Coding Success with These 5 Tips
Hint: Don’t use FBR codes if physician doesn’t perform an incision. When y... Read more
Preventive Services:
Learn Bone Density Screening Reporting With 4 Simple Steps
Hint: Don’t use ‘M codes’ when the patient comes for screening. When... Read more
Readers Question:
Support Laceration Repair with Precise Diagnosis Codes
Question: Our internist recently reviewed a 21-year-old established male patient wh... Read more
You Be the Coder:
How to Report An Ear Wick Insertion
Question: Our internal medicine specialist recently saw a patient with infection of... Read more
Incident-to Billing:
Follow These Steps For Better Incident-to Claims To Avoid OIG Scrutiny
Learn guidelines properly or you might be raising unnecessary red flags. As an interna... Read more
Medicare News:
Notice Changes In JW Modifier To Report Drug Wastage
Watch for new Medicare ruling on JW modifier for discarded drugs. If you are losing ou... Read more
Allergy Tests:
Sail Through Allergy Testing Codes By Busting These 3 Myths
Hint: Watch number of allergens tested when counting units of code. When your internal... Read more
Reader Question:
Laceration Repair Procedure Requires Appropriate Diagnosis Codes
Question: Our internist recently reviewed a 21-year-old established male patient wh... Read more
Reader Question:
Plan for SNF Office Payments
Question: One of our internal medicine specialists is treating a skilled nursing fa... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Z Codes For High Risk Sexual Behavior
Question: Our internal medicine physician recently saw a 25-year-old female patient... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Start Preparing For ICD-10 Code Changes in October 2016
Wait for final code set to release in June If you are aware, the Centers for Disease C... Read more
CCI 22.1 Update:
Take Note of Latest CCI Edits Affecting Internal Medicine Services
New CCI edits bundle IV infusions with almost every service or procedure. If you have ... Read more
HIPAA:
Report: Practices Are Unprepared for Upcoming HIPAA Audits
No privacy officer? Then you aren’t HIPAA compliant. As Part B practices nationw... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Take Medical Record Amendments Lightly
Question: One of our physicians made mistakes on several charts and printed out new... Read more
Reader Question:
Measurement Of Lesion Diameter Important For Shaves and Excisions
Question: When our internal medicine physician performs shaving or excision of a le... Read more
Reader Question:
Explain the EOB's Purpose To Patients
Question: We often get patients who call the practice with questions about their ex... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Check Documentation Of Diagnosis For Reporting Cervical Vaccine
Question: Our internal medicine specialist recently administered Gardasil injection... Read more
HIV Screening:
HIV Screening Services Strengthened by Adding New HCPCS G0475
Hint: Repeat screenings are only billable within a year for pregnant women. When your ... Read more
Mythbuster:
Bust These Myths to Ensure Milia Treatment Coding Success
Know the difference between incision and destruction. When your internal medicine spec... Read more
Quick Tip:
Blink and Miss Conversion Factor Change
CMS made recent small adjustment. If you weren’t paying close attention, you mig... Read more
Compliance:
Insurance Verification Is Key To Capture Hundreds of Lost Dollars
Double check to ensure patient’s insurance info is valid before first visit. Whe... Read more
Reader Question:
Underlying Cause Important for Coding ED
Question: Recently, our internist reviewed a male patient and made a diagnosis of e... Read more
Reader Question:
Append Correct Modifier for Substituting Physicians
Question: We are a group practice and if an internal medicine specialist who is not... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Focus on PFSH in History Section for E/M Code Selection
Question: The internist’s office visit note indicates a comprehensive examina... Read more
Preventive Medicine:
Enhance Preventive Medicine Reporting Skills With These 2 Case Studies
Level of documentation important to decide additional E/M code When you encounter your... Read more
Modifiers:
Clear Doubts Over Modifier 24, 25, and 27 By Asking These 3 Questions
Warning: Pick the wrong modifier and leave $100 on the table. Does your dermatologist ... Read more
Patient Relations:
Avoid Bad Patient Relationship by Prompt Record Delivery Service
Don’t get into legal hassles by postponing patient demands for records. You migh... Read more
Reader Question:
Stick with 12020-12021 for Superficial Wound Dehiscence
Question: Is repair of wound dehiscence ever payable during the global period? If s... Read more
Reader Question:
Oxygen Therapy During E/M Part Of The Service
Question: Our clinician recently ordered for oxygen therapy to a patient in the off... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Confused About Reporting Incomplete Annual Exam? Here's What to Do
Question: A 16-year-old girl presents for a well-child preventive medicine service ... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Learn The Technique To Report Advance Care Planning Services
Hint: Coinsurance and deductible don’t apply when ACP is part of AWV. If you hav... Read more
Preventive Care Visit:
Look For Payer Response For Your Vaccine Queries
Hint: Patient age plays important in vaccine coverage As immunizations are an integral... Read more
E/M Coding:
Failure to Identify Proper ROS Count Could Cost You Lose Revenue
Hint: You could report a higher level E/M for a complete ROS. When you’re report... Read more
Reader Question:
Reporting Digital Block With Excision
Question: Our internist performed a toenail excision and nail bed repair with a dig... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Watch Global Period for Repeat Abscess Drainage Procedure
Question: A patient reported back to our physician for a wound check following drai... Read more
CCI 22.0 Update:
Remember To Check CCI 22.0 Edits When Reporting CPT® 2016 Codes
Make the distinction between modifier indicators of ‘1’ and ‘0.’... Read more
Foot Care:
Increase Routine Foot Care Claims Success Rate For Diabetics
Check your local allowed primary diagnostic codes to ensure timely reimbursement. If y... Read more
Compliance:
Receive Reimbursement for Uncovered Services with ABNs
ABN protocols can have residual effects on patient relations. If you don’t want ... Read more
Reader Question:
Same Day Tendon Injections and Strapping
Question: Our clinician performed injection of a therapeutic agent into a tendon sh... Read more
Reader Question:
Billing Same Level E/M for Follow-up Visits
Question: Our internal medicine specialist recently saw a patient who was suffering... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Count Lesions and Not Number of Injections for Reporting 11900
Question: Our internist recently performed intralesional injections for a patient. ... Read more
E/M Coding:
Procure Deserved E/M Reimbursement with Modifier 25
E/M-25 must go beyond “usual” E/M service built into procedure code. When ... Read more
ICD-10:
Stay Cool With These "Burn" Coding Guidelines
Remember: These ‘x’ characters are merely placeholders. When reporting bur... Read more
Electronic Health Record:
Stay On Top Of The EHR System Using These 3 Tips
Surprisingly, EHRs adding to difficulties instead of reducing workload, says study. If... Read more
Compliance:
OIG Recovered $3.35 Billion in 2015, Tightening Grip On Overpayments
POS errors also continue to be on the agency’s radar screen. Any amount over $3 ... Read more
Reader Question:
Code Sports Physicals Correctly
Question: We are starting to get appointment requests from patients reporting for physic... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Depth and Location Important To Report FBR
Question: Our internist performed a minor surgery on a patient to remove a wooden splint... Read more
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