Q: I am having trouble with ICD-10-PCS coding for a perineal laceration repair. Some sources state that the correct code uses the perineal anatomic region, not muscle repair. Could you please clarify the correct ICD-10-PCS code for a second-degree obstetrical (perineum) laceration that includes muscle?
Most improper payments for diagnostic nasal endoscopies reviewed during a Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) special study occurred due to insufficient documentation, according to the latest Medicare Quarterly Compliance Newsletter .
Q: How can our team prepare for potential productivity losses post-ICD-10 implementation, specifically regarding procedure codes? Should we consider hiring additional staff or staff with a surgical background?
A Recovery Auditor review of claims from September 25, 2012, to August 30, 2013, found providers billing hydration therapy with diagnosis codes not considered reasonable and medically necessary, according to the July 2015 Medicare Quarterly Compliance Newsletter .
CMS has released a transcript and recording of its August 27 MLN Connects Call featuring ICD-10 coding guidance and the results of CMS’ final round of end-to-end testing.
CMS is proposing a new status indicator to be assigned to laboratory tests so when the tests are the only service on a claim, CMS will pay for them separately under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule without providers having to do anything additional from a reporting perspective.
CMS has released a document to clarify questions providers raised about its recent guidance on ICD-10-CM, including answers on how the agency is defining a family of codes.
A recent salary survey conducted by our sister publication Medical Records Briefing found the same trends prevail year after year: the 145 HIM professionals who responded feel they are overworked and underpaid.
