A PICC line allows the medications to quickly reach the source of infection—but unfortunately, it also provides an easy route for the patient to use illegal drugs to get high. And sending an active or recent substance abuser home with a central line of any kind presents legal and ethical risks.
A recently identified form of malware affecting Android devices can copy files, saved Wi-Fi network information, and record full phone calls. The copied data is uploaded to a cloud server.
Q: We are trying to educate our coding department about medical necessity, but has CMS or Medicare defined it anywhere? How can we explain it to staff?
Q: Does a hospital need to obtain the patient's written consent before obtaining physician office notes? Can I contact the physician office and request the needed information without obtaining a written consent from the patient? The office notes are needed for payment purposes.
