As the industry approaches ICD-10 implementation, end-to-end testing becomes more critical. Testing allows organizations to determine the efficacy of their preparations. It also answers critical questions for ICD-10 stakeholders: Can applications accommodate ICD-10 codes correctly? Does data flow seamlessly between internal and external interfaces? Are payers able to receive, adjudicate, and pay claims correctly?
While some HIM professionals may feel a sense of relief knowing RAC audits are on hold for the remainder of 2015, that should not deter workforce members from keeping track of denials and appeals and defending code assignments.
We're less than four months away from the implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS, and the AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS is rolling right along with advice for the new code set.
It's been two years since the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) joined ACDIS to offer the industry physician query instructions in Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice, published in February 2013.
Most coding professionals have heard modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) referred to as a modifier of last resort and to be cautious in using this modifier.
