Coding audits are often a source of irritation in small and large practices alike. This article covers common misconceptions about the auditing process and offers tips from experts on how to correct them.
Healthcare providers know that denials are not a matter of if, but when. One way to prevent and manage denials is by looking for opportunities to involve other departments.
The 2023 update to the CPT manual had almost every chapter undergoing some form of change. In this article, Aimee L. Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT, delves into some of the major changes to E/M coding and considerations for documentation integrity.
Regular charge reconciliation is a cornerstone of complete, compliant reimbursement but is a common weak point for hospitals. Apply these tips to support clinical staff responsible for charge reconciliation and improve charge capture.
Despite increased expansion into outpatient CDI over the past several years, there are plenty of hang-ups that stop people from starting the journey. Though outpatient settings have in some form been reviewed by CDI specialists practically since CDI itself started, this progress remains slow and steady for a reason.
E/M coding guidelines for emergency department services (CPT codes 99281-99285) were recently updated for the first time in decades. Hamilton Lempert, MD, FACEP, CEDC, reviews these changes, along with coding requirements for many other E/M services.
Kathleen M. Romero, MSN, RN, EBP-C, Cynthia Beal, MBA-HCM, BSN, RN, and Renee Pate, MSOL, MSN Ed., RN, CCDS, explain how they implemented a CDI program in their facility’s emergency department and the how establishing this program improved coding accuracy and increased reimbursement.
Determine whether your facility needs to change E/M documentation habits and capture different details based on the revisions made by CMS to observation and inpatient reporting in the 2023 OPPS final rule.
Tonya Moton, RHIA, CCS, defines social determinants of health coding, explains the challenges of reporting these factors, and outlines how coders and providers can work together to create a positive impact in at-risk communities.
