Radiology Coding Alert

Radiology coders must keep abreast of coding conventions for a diverse range of subspecialties from diagnostic imaging, to interventional, to nuclear medicine, to radiation therapy. To be successful, you must educate yourself about correct coding and stay alert to changes that affect reporting and, ultimately, reimbursement. The surest way to accomplish this is to keep resources on hand to help answer questions and select appropriate codes. General Radiology Resources "There are a number of references that I consider 'must haves,' no matter what area of radiology a coder works in," says Donna Richmond, RCC, CPC, radiology coding specialist with Acadiana Computer Systems Inc., a medical billing management company based in Lafayette, La., that serves more than 200 radiologists, pathologists and anesthesiologists.

Her list includes current editions of the CPT Codes , ICD-9 Codes and HCPCS manual . "Having these resources available is not enough, however," she says. "A lot of coders have not familiarized themselves with how to use these manuals and often don't refer to them when trying to determine valid codes to assign. It's important to keep them at your fingertips and use them religiously." Books: General A medical dictionary such as Stedman's Medical Dictionary, Dorland's Medical Dictionary or Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary provides descriptive definitions about conditions, procedures, tests, etc. This information can greatly assist coders as they review a radiologist's notes. A book of common medical abbreviations is also invaluable. A general anatomy reference like Gray's Anatomy or Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy can also clarify a physician's notes and assist in assigning the correct code to match a clinical or procedural description. AMA Principles of Coding and CPT Companion provide a solid foundation for understanding basic coding. AMA CPT Changes 2002: An Insider's View provides easy-to-understand explanations of revisions, additions and deletions to the 2002 codes. The Medicare Providers Manual or Medicare Carriers Manual explains the rules that govern coding for Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare's RBRVS: The Physician's Guide provides information about the valuation of the various codes and the reimbursement levels physicians may expect to receive. Books: Radiology-Specific Ultrasound Coding User's Guide, published by the American College of Radiology (ACR), provides thorough explanations and definitions to clarify coding questions. Coding Guide for Radiology and the Radiology CROWN Seminar series offered by Coding Strategies Inc. (877-626-3464 to order or register). These resources provide a clinical explanation of the services described in radiology codes, as well as definitions and special considerations that affect code assignment. The Radiology Correct Coding Initiative handbook, published by Medlearn, provides comprehensive information about the principles of coding. Periodicals: General CPT Assistant is a monthly AMA publication that provides in-depth explanations in the use of specific codes and clarifies [...]