Facilities can't bill for skin substitutes unless they also bill for a skin substitute application procedure on the same date, according to the April update to the I/OCE. If facilities don't comply with this practice, they won't receive payment for the skin substitute. The April update includes a list of eight procedure codes (CPT codes 15271-15278) and 27 specific skin graft materials.
With the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM coding, coders need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. To help coders prepare for the upcoming transition, we will provide an occasional article about specific anatomical locations and body parts as part of a larger series for ICD-10-CM preparation. This month’s column addresses the anatomy of the skull.
Our coding experts answer your questions about payment for items in OPPS Addendum B and skin substitutes, incomplete documentation for IV infusions, coding for amputation of finger and aftercare, facility codes for peritoneal dialysis
Providers and payers may have an additional year to transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS if the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalizes a proposed rule released April 9.
With 20 initial "trial" audits completed, OCR expects to move forward with another 95 audits to measure HIPAA compliance before year's end, said Susan McAndrew, JD, OCR's deputy director for health information privacy. This represents a reduction in the number of audits (150) that were originally planned for 2012.
Leaders there established multidisciplinary barrier reduction teams (BRT) in late 2009, which are designed to increase efficiency and improve communication at the organization. The teams give staff members a way to speak up about issues that may hinder patient care and the discharge process.
