RMC Medical Coding Blog
Project Management for Risk Adjustment Coding Review – Part 1
Risk Adjustment coding reviews can take many different shapes and forms. When starting a new project/review, there are many things to consider. A “Project Management” approach is key to success. Project Management includes four phases: Project Planning Phase;...
Like the Never-ending Story, COVID-19 Coding Continues to Evolve
Coding for pneumonia continues to be problematic for most coders. There are many types of pneumonia and documentation is often insufficient for coding to the level of specificity available in our current ICD-10 structure. Some of the specific types of pneumonia...
Encounter for General Examination- Is it with or without Abnormal Findings?
When a provider addresses additional conditions at a general examination visit, usually referred to as a Well-Child or Adult Physical encounter, coders are often left to decide whether to assign a “with” or “without” abnormal findings code. So, how can we easily...
2021 OIG Work Plan: An Overview and Auditing Priorities
This blog will provide some key points on how you can incorporate the current Office of Inspector General (OIG) items and future items into your organization’s auditing and monitoring functions. Paying attention to what the OIG for Health and Human Services (HHS)...
COVID-19 Coding Update
The CDC has issued an ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines Supplement document to provide instruction on coding encounters related to the Coronavirus Outbreak. There is also a new code for COVID-19, U07.1, that will be effective with 4/1/2020 discharges. Provider...
Coding Telehealth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As of 3/6/20 and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS is allowing patients to receive a wider range of telehealth services in a variety of settings, including the patients home. Expanded services include: E/M visits, mental health counseling and certain...
Privacy & Security Forum Update: OCR Activity, Audit Protocols, Ransomware & the HIPAA Security Rule
Julia and I had the pleasure of attending the 2018 Privacy & Security Forum a couple of weeks ago. One of the sessions I attended was focused on what’s happening at OCR these days. The speaker was Roger Severino, Director of OCR and the moderator was Adam...
Valvular Heart Disease: Coding Q&A with RMC
RMC’s AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainers meet multiple times per week fielding questions from clients and staff. Below is an actual question that was submitted, along with our team’s response.* Coding Question: What is a good ICD 10 code for ‘valvular heart...
Coding “Silent MI”: Coding Q&A with RMC
RMC’s AHIMA Approved ICD-10 Trainers meet multiple times per week fielding questions from clients and staff. Below is an actual question that was submitted, along with our team’s response.* Coding Question: Can you help with coding “Silent MI”? Would...
Shock Liver
Shock Liver: Shock liver or ischemic hepatitis describes diffuse injury to the liver from an episode of acute hypoperfusion. Shock liver codes to K72.00 (Acute and subacute hepatic failure without coma) which is an MCC. While shock liver can be found in the...