February 1, 2013
Briefings on APCs

In November 2011, the FDA approved ­transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat aortic valve stenosis for those patients who are not candidates for traditional open-heart surgery. This procedure is also referred to as a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

February 1, 2013
Briefings on APCs

After 14 years of few to no changes, the psychiatry section of the CPT® Manual received a major overhaul for 2013.

January 1, 2013
Briefings on APCs

Our coding experts answer your questions about reporting fetal ultrasound codes, bell curve for E/M visits, and billing for wasted drugs.

January 1, 2013
Briefings on APCs

Hospitals earned a big win with drug payments this year in the 2013 OPPS final rule, released November 1. CMS decided to finalize its proposal to follow the statute and reimburse facilities at the average sales price (ASP) plus 6%.

December 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Our coding experts answer your questions about observation orders, sequencing additional diagnoses, coding for wound care with no-cost skin substitute, and reporting cardiac rehabilitation and physical therapy together.

December 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Misusing modifier -25 (significant, separately ­identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service) can be an expensive proposition. Just ask Georgia Cancer ­Specialists I, a ­leading oncology practice in Atlanta.

October 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Our coding experts answer your questions about coding for hysteroscopy prior to ablation, appending modifier -59 for MRI and MRA, charging for venipunctures, therapy caps under OPPS, reporting limits for Provenge®, modifier -59 and infusion therapy, Reporting TEE pre- and post-operativley, coding for toxic metabolic encephalopathy

October 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

Recognize the stages of chronic kidney disease to unravel coding confusion.

October 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

As part of our ongoing series of articles help coders prepare for the transition to ICD-10-CM, we examine the anatomy of the shoulder.

October 1, 2012
Briefings on APCs

When the AMA revised the instructions for reporting ancillary services with critical care in 2011, facilities knew they wouldn't see an immediate increase in ­payment. CMS determines payment amounts through use of claims data from two years earlier, meaning the earliest facilities could expect additional reimbursement is 2013.

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