News & Analysis

March 1, 2012
HIM Briefings

Some interesting changes are occurring with the implementation of ICD-10-CM that are going to affect principal diagnosis selection.

March 1, 2012
HIM Briefings

ICD-10 will bring many changes, particularly when it comes to fracture coding. But practice will help reinforce ICD-10 education on the subject, and Lolita M. Jones, RHIA, CCS, sole principal of Lolita M. Jones Consulting Services in Fort Washington, MD, provides a sample op report for just that purpose.

March 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Modifier -PD (diagnostic or related nondiagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or wholly ­operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an ­inpatient within three days or one day) is now included in the I/OCE, ­according to January updates detailed in Transmittal 2370.

March 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

The respiratory system, responsible for ­inspiration (carrying oxygen into the body) and expiration (the expulsion of carbon dioxide), is composed of two tracts: the upper respiratory tract and the lower ­respiratory tract.

March 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

As technology evolves, providers can perform more procedures at the patient's bedside than they ever could in the past. Previously, they could only perform these procedures in another department of the hospital, and they had to charge separately for them.

March 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Q Addendum B of the APC updates for 2012 indicates the new molecular pathology codes have status ­indicator E (noncovered service, not paid under OPPS). Our laboratory director said we should report these new codes in addition to the codes that are payable. Can you explain why?

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