Health Information Management

Don't bypass coding rules to get more money: Take a closer look to compare acute, chronic conditions

HIM Connection, September 21, 2010

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by Robert S. Gold, MD

Last month I discussed the importance of queries related to sepsis versus UTI due to an indwelling catheter, as well as symptoms of more definitive diagnoses. This month I’ll explore why it’s necessary from an ethical perspective to query for clarification when there is insufficient documentation of acute versus chronic conditions. The bottom line is that coders can’t assign codes based on which ones will yield more reimbursement. Instead, they have ethical obligations and plenty of coding rules to follow.
 
Note: To read more, visit the HCPro website. Subscribers to Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies have access to this article in the September issue of their newsletters.



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