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Pulmonology Coding:

Nail Image Guidance Rules to Avoid Thoracentesis Denials

Published on Thu Apr 30, 2026

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Other Articles of

April 2026

Pulmonology Coding:
Nail Image Guidance Rules to Avoid Thoracentesis Denials
Learn what separates a diagnostic procedure from therapeutic. Thoracentesis claims can hinge on small documentation [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Pay Attention to Guidelines to Sequence COVID-19 Sequela Codes
Question: A patient presented to their pulmonologist with shortness of breath on exertion. The patient [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Analyze This Atelectasis Coding Quandary
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Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Follow These Guidelines for Successful ACP Documentation
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Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Code Abnormal Findings on Radiology Screening Exams With This Guide
Find out which diagnosis codes to report. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) [...]

Compliance:
Apply Audit Processes Beyond Coding to Boost Compliance
Setting scope and communicating the results are crucial for any audit. Auditing coding is a [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Check Your Anesthesia Coding Knowledge for These Gastroenterology Procedures
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Anesthesia Coding:
Find Helpful Workaround for These Specific Vertebral Joint Injections
Question: How should I report bilateral paravertebral facet joint injections performed during the same session [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Keep on the Sunny Side of Coding Sunburn
Only use code 16000 if treatment was performed. With summer fast approaching, children will be [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Remember Second Dx Code for Some Anesthesia Shock
Question: During surgery, a patient who was under general anesthesia experienced a sudden drop in [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Find out if Laterality Categorizes Back Pain Under an ‘Other’ Code
Question: A patient presented with lower back pain on the left side. The radiologist captured [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Grasp the Differences Between IBD and IBS
Question: As a new medical coder, I’m having trouble understanding the differences between inflammatory bowel [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Take Time to Understand IAC Coding
Question: What is the difference between intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) and regular intravenous (IV) chemotherapy, and [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Rely on Some Sturdy Prepositions When Deciding on Combo Codes
Hint: The use of a combo code can provide a lot of context. Coders may [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Remember Chemodenervation Components for Complete Coding
Lead-up to procedure could include EMG, NCS — and more. When a patient suffers from [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Let Etiology Drive Your Charcot Foot Code Selection
Learn to separate diabetic and nondiabetic diagnoses. When Charcot foot appears in the medical record, [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Assess Your Anemia Coding With This Guide
Hint: Know your anemia types. Look up anemia in the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index, and you’re [...]

In Case You Missed It (RCI Bonus Content):
Interpret Guideline 19 With Clinical Integrity
Not every condition mentioned in the documentation should be coded. Guideline 19 of the ICD-10-CM [...]

General Coding:
Keep Your E/M Visits With Injections Combo Skills Sharp
Remember to bill the correct number of units for each J code. When a patient [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Check out the Complexities of ED Wound Care Coding
Remember to code to the deepest level debrided. At 2 a.m., a patient arrives in [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Know When Modifier 91 Applies to Same-Day Repeat Testing
Question: The provider ordered two separate antinuclear antibodies (ANA) lab panels on the same day, [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Report Signs and Symptoms Unless DVT Is Confirmed
Question: A 58-year-old patient with a prior history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presents to [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Consider Episode of Care, Not Number of Devices or Conditions
Question: Can I bill 99453 for the initial setup of different devices for remote monitoring [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Follow These 3 Steps for Precise Nasal Lesion Removal
Question: What is the correct way to bill for the removal of nasal lesions on [...]

Urology Coding:
Can I Assume CKD Stage Based Solely on eGFR Level?
Question: Thank you so much for your guidance on coding the different stages of chronic [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Find out Which O99.- Code Fits This Obstetrical Trauma Case
Question: A patient came in for a 36-week growth ultrasound (US) due to previous obstetrical [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Does Weight or Number of Fibroids Matter When Coding a Myomectomy?
Question: A gynecologist performed an abdominal myomectomy removing a single intramural myoma weighing 260 g. [...]

E/M Coding:
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Question: A Medicare beneficiary saw a provider for an evaluation and management (E/M) visit before [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Find out How PreA Streamlines Patient Transitions With PCP-to-Specialist Referrals
Learn how a randomized controlled trial tested an AI referral chatbot. Artificial intelligence (AI) is [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Know Aura Symptoms to Shore up Migraine Coding
Question: I know that with migraines, aura refers to feelings and symptoms a patient notices [...]

Practice Management:
Make Benchmarking the Heartbeat of a Successful Revenue Cycle
You need to see where you’re bleeding before you can stanch the flow. Most practice [...]

Urology Coding:
Retain These Valuable Urinary Retention Coding Skills
Coding any underlying conditions causing the retention is key. When a patient visits your urology [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Improve ICD-10-CM Coding Accuracy for Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism
Are you accurately capturing thyroid disorders from etiology to associated conditions? Accurate coding of thyroid [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Distinguish E/M Services and the Role of Wart Debridement
Question: When a provider pares or debrides a wart during an office visit without performing [...]

Practice Management:
Stock Waiting Room With Kids in Mind
Question: I manage a practice that doesn’t focus on kids, but I know I see [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Find out if Lesion Excision Is Included in Advancement Flap Closure
Question: A patient came in for an excision of a forehead lesion. The lesion was [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Note GLP-1 Bridge Program for Second Half of 2026
Question: Does Medicare cover any semaglutide medications for beneficiaries? Do they need to meet any [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Can You Bill 65815 During 66982’s Post-Op Period?
Question: A patient who underwent cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) insertion (66982) 30 days [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Learn What Separates Different Epithelial Excision Codes
Question: I have an operative note that lists the operation as “Keratectomy, right eye.” Below [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Identify the I&D Procedure Code for a Right Arm Abscess
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Podiatry Coding:
Size up Your Syndesmosis Surgical Coding
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Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Code Punctal Occlusion Procedures With Precision
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General Coding:
Stay on Top of This Alpha-Gal Encounter
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Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Get Patients to Track Pain With Diary
Question: We are a small pain management (PM) clinic in a rural area. We treat [...]

Practice Management:
Go Beyond Job Description or Sell Front Desk Staff Short
Question: I’m trying to advocate for my front desk team to get paid a higher [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Does Sleep Affect Pulmonary Rehab Participation?
Question: We see a lot of patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and [...]

E/M Coding:
Know Which QHP Can Perform Which Nursing Home E/M Visits
Question: Can a nurse practitioner (NP) perform an initial comprehensive visit for a skilled nursing [...]

Medicare Regulations:
New Advance Beneficiary Notice Ready to Roll
Question: I read something about the advance beneficiary notice (ABN) form changing. Do you know [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Assess AI’s Auditing Capabilities Before Deploying the Technology
Question: What best practices should we implement when using artificial intelligence (AI) to perform audits? [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Reconstruct Your Knowledge of Ligament Repair Types
Question: Can you explain the differences between primary and secondary ligament repairs? Vermont Subscriber Answer: [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Assume Causality Unless Otherwise Noted With Combination Codes I25.11-
Question: The provider documents the patient having atherosclerotic heart disease with angina pectoris. Since codes [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Navigate Unbundling and NCCI Guidelines in Arthroscopic Surgery
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Neurosurgery Coding:
Location Matters on This Spinal Stenosis Claim
Question: The neurosurgeon orders and interprets a cervical spinal X-ray for a patient with neck [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Mind Your Modifiers on This Fracture Claim
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ICD-10-CM Coding:
A Return to Repeated Falls May Require 2 Dx Codes
Question: A patient presented to the provider after falling twice in the past two weeks. [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Can You Bill 43255 for Control of Contact Bleeding?
Question: I have a report from a diagnostic transoral esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedure. The physician performed [...]

General Coding:
Clear Your Coding Category Confusion
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Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Use 96450 for Nusinersen Administration
Question: A patient with spinal fusion presented for an intrathecal injection of nusinersen. The procedure [...]

Compliance:
If Transportation Is Available, Don’t Publicize the Option
Question: We have a lot of patients who do not have their own reliable transportation [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Do You Use an Osteotomy Code for a Minimally Invasive Procedure?
Question: A patient presented for a minimally invasive osteotomy on the third metatarsal of the [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Check State Laws Before Changing Charts
Question: A teenaged patient has asked that we not discuss any of their care or medical [...]

E/M Coding:
Follow These Rules of Thumb for Coding E/M or Psychiatric Evaluation
See which specific services distinguish an E/M encounter from a psychiatric visit. Accurate coding in [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Look to Repair Length for Accurate Code Choice
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the emergency department (ED) triage reported that a patient had [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Dig Deep for This Broken Glass Encounter
Question: A 10-year-old was brought into our office after cutting their foot open on glass while [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Bolster Your BMAC Harvest and Injection Procedure Coding Knowledge
Question: An orthopedic surgeon performed an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a right [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Distinguish Details on Twist Drill Surgeries
Question: I have an operative report in front of me that I need some help [...]

Cardiology Coding:
How to Code a Diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot
Question: I am reviewing a pediatric inpatient chart. The patient has a confirmed diagnosis of [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Get the Anwers to Your Frequently Asked Tympanic Membrane Repair Questions
Time to brush off your ear anatomy skills. Coding tympanic membrane (TM) repairs presents a real [...]

Urology Coding:
Bridge the Gap With This Penile Procedure
Question: A 28-year-old patient came to the office describing a painful tugging sensation whenever they experienced [...]

Compliance:
Rely on Provider’s Documentation, Not Test Results
Question: I can see that a patient’s urine drug screen shows barbiturates and cannabis/marijuana. The [...]

Cardiology:
Do Not Stress About Stress Test Coding
Hint: Code choice can be affected by who owns the equipment. Stress testing is used [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Distinguish Surgical and Nonsurgical Management for Coding SBO
Determine whether the obstruction is chiefly responsible for the admission. When you are coding small [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Craniectomy or Craniotomy? Here’s How to Navigate 61304-61323
When the bone flap is replaced, look to this code series. Neurosurgical operative reports can [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Get Answers to Your Celiac Disease Coding Questions
Do not report a celiac disease ICD-10-CM code unless the Dx is confirmed. Do you [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Proceed With Unbundling These Tests on Same DOS
Question: Can CPT® 81270 be billed together with 87522 on the same date of service [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Get Answers to Your Ongoing Care Coding Questions
Find out how the Excludes1 notes come into play. When you’re coding encounters for ongoing [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Crack the Code on Drug Waste
Understand JW and JZ modifiers for accurate oncology billing. Controlling drug costs has become a [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Learn What's New Regarding Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Expanded Model
Brush up on key changes to excel in effective program delivery. The Centers for Medicare [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Understand Approach, Repair to Choose the Correct Microlaryngeal Cordectomy Code
Question: What is the correct CPT® code for a microlaryngeal cordectomy? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: [...]

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