SuperCoder Blog

Many coders have memorized R11.- (Nausea and vomiting). It’s a common complaint. But did you know that the diagnosis code for cyclical vomiting is in nervous system category G43.- (Migraine)? I was interested to see that when I read a recent Gastroenterology Coding Alert article. In a leap that perhaps only those in healthcare would understand, the discovery made me wonder where else ICD-10-CM puts codes related to the term vomiting. Here’s what I found.

For Cyclical Vomiting, Turn to the Nervous System Chapter

First is the subcategory that …

Thinking about summer? You aren’t the only one! CMS has posted a file with five Q codes that will be effective July 1, 2018. If you code for any of these supplies, plan ahead so you’re ready to change your coding when July comes.

Watch mg to Separate Sublocade^TM Codes for Opioid Use Disorder

First is a set of two related codes for Sublocade, which is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid-use disorder in adult patients. Note the difference in amount administered, shown at the end of each descriptor (bold added):

• Q9991 (Injection, …
  

Subcategory W59.22- (Struck by turtle) is an ICD-10-CM code that’s been in the blog a few times. So when I started playing with the WHO ICD-11 Coding Tool, I had to try “turtle” as a search term. No luck, but I did find PA71 (Unintentionally struck, kicked, or bumped by animal

Emergency medicine code 99285 seems to be popping up a lot lately because of potential overuse. To help give you your best chance at coding correctly, it helps to take a close look at each element involved. Today, let’s look at the history of present illness (HPI) requirement. The good news is that most of this information applies beyond emergency coding, so it’s a good refresher for all coders who report E/M services.

See Where History Fits in the Descriptor

Here’s the …

National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI or CCI) is one of those hidden-depths areas of coding. If you cardiovascular coders know the major CCI edits that apply to you, you’ve got one layer down. But you need to know what’s in the policy manual (available here), too, if you truly want to code in compliance with CCI. Here is a helping hand: a look at what’s new for cardio in the 2018 CCI manual.

Think of 30000 and Thrombectomy First

Chapter V, section D, …

If you’re already familiar with laparoscopic bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy codes 38571 and 38572, you know the pattern. The second code descriptor builds on the first. When the CPT® 2018 code set added 38573, the new code descriptor followed that pattern, adding quite a few more requirements before you use the new code.

Not sure what I mean? Check out these bullet lists based on the code descriptors, and note the similarities in the first few bullets as well as differences:

38571

• bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy

38572

• bilateral total pelvic lymphadenectomy

We’ve talked about CERT 2017 report results before in this blog, but that’s mostly been Part B. Podiatry coders need to be thinking about DMEPOS, too. And based on the 70.5 percent error rate estimated for podiatry under DMEPOS, practices need to put that on their priority lists.

Review the CERT Report Stats

The “2017 Medicare Fee-for-Service Supplemental Improper Payment Data” report measures improper payments through the Comprehensive Error Tate Testing (CERT) program. The numbers are estimates based on a sampling of claims reviewed. The time period for …

Have you heard about the CMS program to partner with stakeholders to improve quality measures in the MACRA Quality Payment Program (QPP)? Up to $30 million in funding and assistance is involved over three years.

Here Are the Target Groups and Goals

A blog post from CMS describes this measure development funding opportunity. Developing, improving, updating, and expanding quality measures are all included. CMS indicates potential partnerships with clinical specialty societies and professional organizations, patient advocacy organizations, education and research organizations, and health systems.

The stated goal is to “leverage …