Q: We have patients being admitted for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and most of them have a laundry list of various manifestations and complications. Do all manifestations and complications need to be reported in ICD-10-CM?
Case managers use a lot of lists. They use lists of nursing homes, lists of community organizations, and lists of other resources that are designed to help their patients.
But there are times when a list is not the best option, saysDiane Iverson, RN, BSN, BS, ACM, CCM, a Baltimore-area case manager. For example, when case managers are working with individuals seeking assistance for substance use disorders, lists of resources may not be effective.
Q: If a person has a history of substance abuse, but at the time of admission appears to be of sound mind, is that patient’s personal representative still entitled to receive information about the patient’s treatment and status?
This week's instructor note dives into the recent instruction from CMS on requirements for reporting a COVID-19 diagnosis on a claim in order for the claim to be eligible for a payment increase.
Q: As utilization review case managers, we are often tasked with assessing our hospital's risk for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) denials. What are the most important measures we should be examining?
Finding the right applicant to fill a vacancy in the coding department can be challenging. Organizations can help close the gap and improve their coding staff by implementing an apprentice program. Use this sample education schedule to help develop a program at your organization.
