Managers should not assume that they can review every guideline, every item in Coding Clinic, or every coding-related issue targeted by the OIG or Recovery Auditors. However, those issues that have been identified as the result of denials, external coding audits, or quality initiatives should surface to the top of the audit list for the coding manager.
Q: How should we handle canceled inpatient-only procedures? Are these are still coded to the full intended procedure under OPPS and modified with a -73 or -74 modifier? Most of these cases result in changed orders to outpatient due to the patient being discharged the same day. Can the original inpatient order be used?
The October 2019 OPPS quarterly update reassigned certain injections from non-payable to separately payable. CMS also revised the status indicators for several recently approved advanced diagnostic laboratory tests (ADLT).
The 2020 IPPS final rule made major changes to the hospital wage index and new technology payments. Brush up on the details to ensure your organization is ready.
Your heart may flutter when you’re nervous, but if this happens on a regular basis, it could be a sign of a serious heart condition. Atrial fibrillation (AF), a common and potentially fatal cardiovascular condition, is an irregular heartrate that can cause blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related complications.
While the calendar year 2020 OPPS proposed rule is shorter than in prior years (819 pages for the display version), the proposed policies therein pack a punch and may be thought of as a new day dawning for the future of hospital services.
