SuperCoder Blog

Hypertension is a common diagnosis, so a lot of specialties have to understand the rules for coding this condition. Obstetrics coders have to go one step further for hypertension and learn the specific rules for coding pre-existing hypertension in pregnancy, which is our focus today.

Watch for Documentation of Pre-Existing or Gestational

You’ll find the obstetrics codes for hypertensive disorders in the O10-O16 range of ICD-10-CM. Categories O10.- (Pre-existing hypertension complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium) and O11.- (Pre-existing hypertension with pre-eclampsia) are both specific to pre-existing …

Understanding the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) is tough. But the data Medicare released from the 2017 performance year shows you were up for the challenge. And that’s good news because the 2017 performance year affects 2019 Medicare payments and maybe has helped you prepare for the 2019 performance year, too. Let’s see how you do on a quick quiz about the 2017 QPP performance year.

Ready, Set, Go … to the QPP Questions

Q1: Which number reflects the percentage of MIPS eligible clinicians receiving a positive adjustment AND an adjustment for exceptional performance?

• A. 2 percent

<...

For the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), we’ve talked about E/M and a bit about remote monitoring. But now let’s take a general overview of the ups and downs expected for individual specialties.

Know Where to Find the Info and What It Means

Table 94 of the 2019 MPFS final rule is titled “CY 2019 PFS Estimated Impact on Total Allowed Charges by Specialty.” The table shows allowed charges by specialty; impact of changes to work, practice expense, and malpractice RVUs; and the combined impact of the changes.

…

When MACRA and MIPS come up, does it feel like speaking another language? For the 2019 performance year, there are even some new terms to learn. We’ve got the new language and tips on where you’ll see it used so you don’t have to spend time searching.

Collection Type: Apply to Sets of Similar Quality Measures

According to the Quality Payment Program Year 3: Final Rule Overview. the official definition of collection type is, “a set of quality measures with …

ICD-10-CM includes a host of codes for hyperthyroidism, and that means your team’s documentation and coding skills need to be sharp. Here are some helpful hints to get you on your way.

Learn Your Terms and Prefixes to Locate Codes

Knowing medical anatomy and terminology is a must for coders, and that includes knowing that the thyroid is a gland located in the front of the neck. It has a sort of butterfly shape, and its job is to produce hormones that affect the speed of the metabolism.

For coding, it’s also important not to get tripped up by …

Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder rank among the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. population. A variety of health professionals may see patients with these conditions, including primary care providers and specialists. That means knowing the diagnosis coding terminology below is beneficial for a lot of us in the field.

Starting point: Both of our mental health diagnoses-in-focus are in the “other” category F41.- (Other anxiety disorders), but they have unique ICD-10-CM codes.

Use F41.0 for …

Does coding news get you super-excited, even on Black Friday? Well HCPCS 2019 is out for review, and CPT® 2019 already has errata posted. So here’s some news you can use for both code sets … when you get back to your regular work schedule after the holiday!

Filter Through HCPCS Updates With These Areas in Mind

In the 2019 HCPCS file, there are roughly 370 changes. That means we’ve only got space for some highlights here. So what are the trends for additions for clinicians?

Check for new and old changes. You may recognize some of the codes and modifiers marked as 2019 changes …

Thanksgiving is almost here, making it a great time to express how much we appreciate all the hard work you do. Ensuring claims are accurate, no matter how complicated or never-ending they are, is no easy task! The TCI SuperCoder team is proud and grateful to be able to support your efforts by finding ways to take frustrations out of your day.

Below is a lighthearted poem I wrote from the coder’s point of view to share our appreciation for those in the business of healthcare. (If you prefer quizzes to poems, check out our Thanksgiving ICD-10-CM personality quiz, too!)

Have you checked out our free, new E/M Calculator yet? Using it is straightforward, but having a guide can be handy when a tool is new. Here’s how it works.

1. Access the E/M Calculator

If you’re going to use a tool, the first step is to get to it! If you aren’t a subscriber to one of our online coding packages, you can open the calculator by following the directions on our E/M Calculator page.

For those of you who use our online coding packages, the calculator is included with your subscription. After you sign in, look …

Filing third-party claims is a big part of the business of medicine, but collecting payment from patients is also crucial to a healthy organization. There are challenges, though. Check out these tips on steering clear of problems and on handling those issues that do come up.

1. Have a Policy and Let Patients Know

You can prevent a lot of stress and confusion for both your team and your patients by having a clear policy about payment. You want to be sure patients understand that policy and that you follow it consistently.

Set the tone by collecting appropriate payments at check-in so patients know payment is …