Internal Medicine Coding Alert
You Can Give 'Negative' Credit Under HPI
PDF
Question: I have found information and heard at seminars conflicting information regarding the Associated Signs and Symptoms in the HPI section of the 1997 audit guidelines. Does a negative response count toward the HPI points? Example: A patient presents with complaint of nausea. The note states that the patient has no fever. Should I check the associated signs and symptoms box, since the provider asked but the response was negative, or is no credit assigned?
Florida Subscriber
Answer: Negative responses can count toward the history of the present illness (HPI) just as they do toward review of systems (ROS) questions.
Remember that HPI as gathered by the provider to create a clinical picture of the most likely diagnosis. So the patient's answers, whether positive or negative for particular signs and symptoms, provide the puzzle pieces from which the internist is able to formulate his assessment and plan.
Internal Medicine Coding Alert
- Charge the Right Amount for Well Woman Checks Every Time
4 payer-specific steps unlock reimbursement for these common services
Coding all female complete exams the same [...] - Combat Dual E/M Service Denials With 2 Tried-and-True Strategies
Proactive measures are your best defense
You can avoid losing payment for a sick visit with [...] - Watch Out for 3 CMS Changes That Will Affect Your Practice
Experts reveal a new way to determine modifier 25 use
When you rev staff up for [...] - You Be the Coder:
Do Modifiers Matter for E/Ms With Pulse Oximetry?
Question: I have tried several times to bill for O2 saturation (94760 or 94761) along [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Don't Confuse Incident-To and TP Indicators
Question: How should I code incident-to when I am in the office? What modifier should [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
You Can Give 'Negative' Credit Under HPI
Question: I have found information and heard at seminars conflicting information regarding the Associated Signs [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Can 76 Be on 1 or 2 Service Dates?
Question: I thought modifier 76 was for same-day repeat procedures, but the August 2006 Internal [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
POS Gives Clue to NF Service's Codeability
Question: An internist discharges a patient from the hospital and then admits him to a [...]