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JustCoding News: Inpatient

JustCoding News: Inpatient is a free companion e-newsletter to Justcoding.com, the Web site that provides thorough explanations and in-depth analysis of medical conditions, diseases, treatments, and procedures.

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JustCoding News: Inpatient

Issue 21, May 22, 2013

• New e-learning courses are almost here

  The new JustCoding e-learning library launches in two weeks. The new library will include 20...

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• FY 2014 IPPS proposed rule emphasizes physician rationale for admission

  CMS not only redefines inpatient status in the 2014 IPPS proposed rule, but it also discusses the...

• Physician engagement is key to coding accuracy

  The accuracy and completeness of coded data can potentially affect physicians more as the...

• Look for clinical clues when querying for CCs and MCCs

  CMS and auditors are increasing scrutiny of CCs and MCCs. William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP, provides...

• Healthcare News: CMS releases FY 2014 proposed rules for SNFs and IRFs

  CMS has had a couple of busy months releasing various FY 2014 proposed rules. On May 1, CMS issued...

• Q&A: Billing self-administered drugs during the three-day payment window

  Q: Can you explain how the recent updates to the three-day payment window pertain to...

• Continuing education credits

  To receive AAPC and/or AHIMA credits, take the quiz after reading the following articles

• Product of the week: Acute and Chronic Renal Failure Coding live audio conference June 12

  Product of the week: Acute and Chronic Renal Failure Coding live audio conference June 12

• Trivia answer

  Congratulations to this week’s winner, Patricia Radke RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, CAISS, AHIMA-Approved...

• Coder chat

  Coder chat

• Mini-poll

  Has anyone in your organization started working with physicians to improve documentation...

• Free quiz

  Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features questions ICD-9-CM coding for...

• ICD-10 Trainer

  ICD-10 Trainer

Issue 19, May 8, 2013

• New e-learning courses coming June 5

  A new and improved e-learning library for JustCoding Platinum subscribers will launch June 5. The...

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• A glimpse into the future of the CDI profession

  The increasing complexity of the healthcare reimbursement system, quality initiatives, and the...

• CMS allows providers to rebill medical necessity denials to Part B

  Under a new ruling, CMS allows full Part B payment for inpatient stays that a contractor denies...

• Condition code 44: How coders and billers can help ensure compliance

  Although coders and billers don’t play a role in determining whether condition code 44 is...

• Healthcare News: IPPS proposed rule includes few coding changes

  Because of the code freeze currently in effect, CMS’ 2014 IPPS proposed rule, released April...

• Q&A: Surgical objects left inside patient

  Q: A surgeon’s dictated report for a right hip hemiarthroplasty states the following: Of...

• Continuing education credits

  Continuing education credits

• Product of the week: Technology Innovations in Clinical Documentation Improvement free webcast

  By comparing and contrasting the different ways that technology can augment the CDI process, the...

• Trivia question

  Trivia question

• Coder chat

  Coder chat

• Mini-poll

  What are you planning to do on your summer vacation?

• Free quiz

  Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features questions about ICD-9-CM codes...

• ICD-10 Trainer

  ICD-10 Trainer

• Take our sepsis survey

  Take our sepsis survey

Issue 17, April 24, 2013

• Editor’s Note

  A new and improved e-learning library for JustCoding Platinum subscribers will launch May 29. The...

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  A new sample query form in our Coding Sample Policies and Forms section:

• Don't let the three-day rule wreak havoc at your facility

  The three-day rule defines certain preadmission outpatient services as inpatient operating costs...

• Coding vs. clinical significance: What coders need to know

  Distinguishing between clinical and coding significance is often confusing. Joel Moorhead, MD, PhD...

• Use caution when reporting unrelated DRGs

  DRGs for procedures unrelated to the principal diagnosis should occur rarely. Robert S. Gold, MD...

• Healthcare News: CMS reduces minimum number of RA requests

  CMS seems to be giving hospitals somewhat of a reprieve when it comes to Recovery Auditor (RA...

• Q&A: Introducing new information in a query

  Q: Is it appropriate to introduce new information in a multiple choice-formatted query?

• Continuing education credits

  To receive AAPC and/or AHIMA credits, take the quiz after reading the following articles:

• Product of the week: Technology Innovations in Clinical Documentation Improvement free webcast

  Product of the week: Technology Innovations in Clinical Documentation Improvement free webcast

• Trivia winner

  Congratulations to this week’s winner, Marcy Garza, CPC, CCS-P, CEDC, health data analyst at...

• Coder chat

  Coder chat

• Mini-poll

  What do you like most about working in the HIM field?

• Free quiz

  Free quiz

• ICD-10 Trainer blog

  ICD-10 Trainer blog

Issue 15, April 10, 2013

• Editor's Note

  A new and improved e-learning library for JustCoding Platinum subscribers will launch May 29. The...

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• Get to know the ICD-10-PCS root operations

  Choosing the correct root operation may be one of the most challenging aspects of ICD-10-PCS...

• Will computer-assisted coding help mitigate productivity losses in ICD-10-CM/PCS?

  Many organizations are concerned about the expected drop in coder productivity after the transition...

• Manage change to prepare for ICD-10-CM/PCS

  Change is consistently a part of HIM and coding. Rules, regulations, and codes change yearly...

• Healthcare News: CMS continues to provide ICD-10 resources

  Three out of four providers have completed only 25% or less of their ICD-10-CM/PCS...

• Q&A:ICD-10-CM seventh character extensions for fractures

  Q: Using the ICD-10-CM guidelines for the seventh character extensions for fracture codes, how...

• Continuing education credits

  To receive AAPC and/or AHIMA credits, take the quiz after reading the following articles

• Product of the week: Anatomy and Physiology for ICD-10 Coding E-learning Library

  Product of the week: Anatomy and Physiology for ICD-10 Coding E-learning Library

• Trivia question

  What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for an subsequent visit for a nonvenomous insect bite of the...

• Coder chat

  How should we code a colonoscopy with inspection of the cecum and a polypectomy from sigmoid colon...

• Mini-poll

  Do you plan to attend either the AAPC National Conference in Orlando or the AHIMA ICD-10 and...

• Free quiz

  Free quiz

• ICD-10 Trainer

  ICD-10 Trainer

Issue 13, March 27, 2013

• Editor's Note

  JustCoding will unveil a new and improved e-learning library for Platinum subscribers May 29. If...

• New on JustCoding Platinum

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• Breathe easy when coding mechanical ventilation: Consider these tips

  The OIG is taking a closer look at mechanical ventilation, according to its FY 2013 Work Plan...

• Don't let office politics detract from coding accuracy and efficiency

  Office politics are a fact of life, but can lead to poor or unjust outcomes. Lois Mazza, CPC...

• Coded data drives much more than reimbursement

  Coded data is incredibly important to a wide range of people. Bill Rudman, PhD, RHIA, Roxanne...

• Healthcare News: Medical necessity continues to pique Recovery Auditor curiosity

  Medical necessity for cardiovascular procedures is the top overpayment issue for three out of the...

• Q&A: When are E codes required?

  Q: Can you clarify the requirements surrounding the use of E codes? We have been working on...

• Continuing education credits

  To receive AAPC and/or AHIMA credits, take the quiz after reading the following articles

• Product of the week: Medical Necessity 2013: Reduce Risk and Overturn Denials live audio conference April 18

  Product of the week: Medical Necessity 2013: Reduce Risk and Overturn Denials live audio...

• Trivia winner

  Trivia winner

• Coder chat

  We have providers that see patients at our local nursing facilities. Does the provider's...

• Mini-poll

  Mini poll

• Free quiz

  Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features questions about ICD-9-CM E...

• ICD-10 Trainer

  ICD-10 trainer

Issue 11, March 13, 2013

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  A sample policy in our Coding Sample Policies and Forms section.

• Take a closer look at MS-DRG 312 to prepare for RA prepayment reviews

  Recovery Auditors are currently performing prepayment MS-DRG validation and coding reviews of...

• Compare multiple birth deliveries in ICD-9-CM andICD-10-PCS

  Obstetric coding has always been challenging for coders and coding multiple births is particularly...

• Present-on-admission indicator accuracy remains high

  Coders remain highly accurate when reporting present-on-admission (POA) indicators, but they need...

• Healthcare News: CMS announces organizations set to receive bundled payments

  More than 450 healthcare organizations will participate in CMS’ Bundled Payments for Care...

• Q&A: When is a patient considered an inpatient?

  Q: A patient with undiagnosed syncope is admitted to observation. Later that evening, the patient...

• Continuing education credits

  Continuing education credits

• Product of the week: Charging for Ancillary Bedside Procedures and Supplies live audio conference April 29

  Product of the week: Charging for Ancillary Bedside Procedures and Supplies in 2013 live audio...

• Trivia question

  What is the correct ICD-9-CM procedure code for removal of an electronic bladder stimulator?

• Coder chat

   Is this correct to code the I&D from the procedure below with 86.04?

• Mini-poll

  Are you a member of your organization's ICD-10 committee?

• Free quiz

  Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features questions about ICD-9-CM codes...

• Blogs

  Access the latest blog posts on ICD–10 Trainer, a free, online forum for all matters related...

• Editor’s Note

  New e-learning courses coming

• Editor’s Note

  New e-learning courses coming

• Editor’s Note

  New e-learning courses coming

• Editor’s Note

  New e-learning courses coming

Issue 9, February 27, 2013

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• Don't use adult criteria when improving documentation for pediatric records

  Physician documentation must reflect severity of illness and risk of mortality for all patients...

• Do both conditions truly meet the definition of principal diagnosis?

  According to the ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, it’s unusual for two...

• Why coders should focus on their health and wellbeing

  Coders are under constant stress and pressure. They must remain incredibly focused and pay...

• Healthcare News: JAMA publishes 30-day readmission data for adult and pediatric patients

  Thirty-day readmissions for heart failure, heart attack, and pneumonia occur most frequently for...

• Q&A: Coding from a differential diagnosis

  Q: A patient presents with a sore throat, and the physician states “Sore throat; differential...

• Continuing education credits

  Continuing education credits

• Product of the week: 3-Day Payment Window live audio conference March 28

  Product of the week: 3-Day Payment Window live audio conference March 28

• Trivia answer

  Trivia answer

• Coder chat

  Coder chat

• Mini-poll

  What type of medical record, paper or electronic, does your organization use?

• Free quiz

  Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features questions about ICD-9-CM codes...

• Blogs

  Blogs

Issue 7, February 13, 2013

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• MS-DRGs will remain relatively unchanged in ICD-10

  MS-DRGs won’t change much in the first year after the transition to ICD-10, but hospitals...

• Cozy up with the FY 2013 ICD-10-CM guidelines

  The FY 2013 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting probably look very familiar to...

• A comprehensive look at the ICD-10-PCS coding guidelines

  ICD-10-PCS differs significantly from ICD-9-CM procedure coding, but fortunately, the Cooperating...

• Healthcare News: HIM professionals should help lead organizations through the ICD-10 transition

  One of AHIMA’s long-time goals is to empower HIM professionals to be heavily involved in the...

• Q&A: ICD-10 impact on CDI productivity

  Q: How can we illustrate the impact of ICD-10 on clinical documentation improvement (CDI...

• Continuing education credits

  Continuing education credits

• Product of the week: Anatomy and Physiology for ICD-10 Coding E-learning Library

  Product of the week:  Anatomy and Physiology for ICD-10 Coding E-learning Library

• Trivia question

  What is the correct ICD-10-CM code for intractable chronic migraine without aura with status...

• Coder chat

  Coder chat

• Mini-poll

  Mini poll

• Free quiz

  Free quiz

• Blogs

  Blogs

Issue 5, January 30, 2013

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• Know when to report signs and symptoms as the principal diagnosis

  Coders should avoid reporting signs and symptoms as the principal diagnosis when possible. However...

• Keeping up with the changing times: EHRs present challenges for coders

  Electronic health records (EHR) provide opportunities for more efficient and effective care, yet...

• Review the highlights from the FY 2013 OIG Work Plan

  The FY 2013 Office of Inspector General (OIG) Work Plan includes plenty of new additions that might...

• Healthcare News: CMS publishes myths about the Recovery Auditor program

  If you’re curious about whether something you’ve heard or read about the Recovery...

• Healthcare News: CMS publishes myths about the Recovery Auditor program

  If you’re curious about whether something you’ve heard or read about the Recovery...

• Healthcare News: CMS publishes myths about the Recovery Auditor program

  If you’re curious about whether something you’ve heard or read about the Recovery...

• Healthcare News: CMS publishes myths about the Recovery Auditor program

  If you’re curious about whether something you’ve heard or read about the Recovery...

• Q&A: Coding for inpatient spinal fusion

  Q: One of our orthopedic surgeons started to perform spinal fusions percutaneously. CPT®...

• Continuing education credits

  Continuing education credits

• Product of the week: The Pediatric Medical Record: Opportunities for Documentation Improvement live audio conference February 7

  Product of the week: The Pediatric Medical Record: Opportunities for Documentation Improvement live...

• Trivia answer

  Trivia answer

• Coder chat

  Coder chat

• Mini-poll

  When was the last time you brushed up on your knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology?

• Free quiz

  Test your knowledge with this week’s free quiz, which features questions about ICD-9-CM...

• Blogs

  Blogs

Issue 3, January 16, 2013

• New on JustCoding Platinum!

  New on JustCoding Platinum!

• Improve ED physician documentation to ensure inpatient coding compliance

  Physicians, especially ED physicians, need to start paying attention to how their documentation...

• Kick off the New Year with a resolution to avoid leading queries

  Leading queries are frequently a topic of discussion among coding and clinical documentation...

• Review medical necessity requirements for major joint replacement

  MLN Matters® article SE1236, which discusses documenting medical necessity for major joint...

• Healthcare News: Don't forget about end-to-end testing for ICD-10-CM/PCS

  National Government Services, under contract with CMS, will host a series of listening sessions...

• Q&A: Do queries differ between critical access and acute care facilities?

  Q: I’ve heard that queries differ between critical access and short-term acute care hospital...

• Continuing education credits

  Continuing education credits

• Product of the week: Condition Code 44: Best Practices for a Compliant Process live audio conference January 22

  Product of the week: Condition Code 44: Best Practices for a Compliant Process live audio...

• Trivia question

  What is the correct ICD-9-CM procedure code for the release of the tarsal tunnel?

• Coder chat

  Coder chat

• Mini-poll

  Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

• Free quiz

  Free quiz

• Blogs

  Blogs