AudCo2020!
Networker
Hi there,
My question is when coding for Urgent Care Facilities, many patients present with symptoms of UTIs. The culture is done, and sent, therefore no B code is available to code as the cause of the infection is unknown, however all the providers diagnose UTI. I have done a lot of research on this and currently have been coding only the symptoms because technically it is not confirmed until the culture returns, in about 2 days time. Also, N39.0 states to use additional code to identify the infectious agent. However, I have read on this forum some say code N39.0 without the B code. Which of course is against the coding guidelines. Also, I have seen that some of our billers have coded N39.0 with out the B code and I'm unsure if it was paid or not. What on earth is the correct answer to this?
I am a CPC-A as of December 2015 and I am working for a billing company. I am the only coder employed there and the rest of the employees are billers that do coding as well. This causes me to raise an eyebrow but it seems they know what gets paid. However, I ask, why did I need to take the entire coding coursed and pass a rigorous exam to code when billers are doing it with out any of that experience?
I am new to this environment and I do realize I have a lot to learn. I am grateful to be employed in an environment where I can learn but I have a ton of questions. Any insight to learning coding vs coding in the real world will be greatly appreciated!
My question is when coding for Urgent Care Facilities, many patients present with symptoms of UTIs. The culture is done, and sent, therefore no B code is available to code as the cause of the infection is unknown, however all the providers diagnose UTI. I have done a lot of research on this and currently have been coding only the symptoms because technically it is not confirmed until the culture returns, in about 2 days time. Also, N39.0 states to use additional code to identify the infectious agent. However, I have read on this forum some say code N39.0 without the B code. Which of course is against the coding guidelines. Also, I have seen that some of our billers have coded N39.0 with out the B code and I'm unsure if it was paid or not. What on earth is the correct answer to this?
I am a CPC-A as of December 2015 and I am working for a billing company. I am the only coder employed there and the rest of the employees are billers that do coding as well. This causes me to raise an eyebrow but it seems they know what gets paid. However, I ask, why did I need to take the entire coding coursed and pass a rigorous exam to code when billers are doing it with out any of that experience?
I am new to this environment and I do realize I have a lot to learn. I am grateful to be employed in an environment where I can learn but I have a ton of questions. Any insight to learning coding vs coding in the real world will be greatly appreciated!