Laura Evans, CPC, and Julia Kyles, CPC, break down potentially confusing updates to the 2021 E/M guidelines, including new definitions for technical terms and revised guidance for reporting diagnostic laboratory testing with interpretation.
CDI professionals are playing a larger role in denials management and appeals. Consider how using denials management as a key performance indicator (KPI) can strengthen CDI programs.
In the U.S., tympanostomy tube insertion is the most common ambulatory surgery performed on children under 15, according to StatPearls. Debbie Jones, CPC, CCA, reviews common types of ear infections and CPT coding for myringotomies with tympanostomy tube insertion.
The agency is proposing methods to alleviate burden on hospitals that have been under strain for the past year, while also asking for feedback that may shape future data reporting and rate-setting.
It’s always been easy to show financial return on investment for inpatient CDI endeavors, but the monetary value of outpatient programs is increasing dramatically year after year, making outpatient CDI reviews more attractive to many healthcare organizations.
Facility E/M coding reflects the volume and intensity of resources utilized by the facility during patient encounters. Joe Rivet, Esq., CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CHC, CCEP, CHRC, CHPC, CICA, CPMA, CAC, CACO, describes how facilities can create internal guidelines and point systems for determining E/M level section.
The most impactful overhaul to the E/M coding and documentation guidelines in 25 years went live January 1. The updated guidelines eliminate medical history and physical examination as required elements for reporting E/M codes 99202-99215. E/M coding for outpatient visits is now based on documentation of medical decision-making (MDM) or time spent on the encounter.
Q: We're looking for ways to bring our CDI and coding teams together to improve documenation and coding for appropriate Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCC) capture. Are there any recommended models and should other departments or individuals be working alongside them?
Hospitals are applying high reliability traits to drive improvement in new departments. Learn how to apply these methods to leverage CDI as a quality improvement function.
