To correctly assign codes for any surgical procedure, coders need to have an operative (OP) report. But simply having the OP report isn't enough. Coders also must be able to read the report and pick out the important information.
A physician can debride a wound to remove dead, damaged, or infected tissue so the remaining healthy tissue can better heal. Coders need to look for specific information in the documentation of wound debridement.
Our coding experts answer your questions about correct use of modifier –PD, coding infusions to correct low potassium levels, payment for HCPCS code J2354, appropriate reporting of IV push followed by infusion of the same drug, and the difference between modifiers –AS and -80.
Consider this scenario: A physician orders three hours of hydration as well as a one-hour therapeutic antibiotic infusion for a patient. A nurse documents the hydration start time as 10 a.m. and the antibiotic start time as 11 a.m. Neither provider documents a stop time. What should coders report?
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.
