Coders can find the largest number of new codes in the pathology and laboratory section of the 2012 CPT® Manual. The AMA added a total of 103 new codes, 101 of which denote Tier 1 and Tier 2 molecular path-ology procedures.
Self-administered drugs present a significant issue for coders, especially when considering how they may or may not be covered by Medicare Part B. In many instances, payers may consider a drug to be self-administered in some circumstances but not in others. As a result, coders must pay special attention to how these drugs are used within their setting.
One of the three foundational security requirements is availability-the ability to access data when you really need it. Data accessibility is considered sound security practice and is a requirement per the HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR 164.306[a][1]). If a data storage device fails, you can lose access to your patients' or health plan members' PHI. This could adversely affect patient care and service to health plan members.
Q Can a mental health and alcohol and chemical dependency treatment health center e-mail and text PHI between healthcare providers and between field caseworkers and patients? We have implemented a secure messaging solution, but it is the organization's policy to prohibit sending PHI via e-mail or text.
