Kidney-related illnesses can interfere with the body's capacity to clean the blood, filter extra water out of blood, and regulate blood pressure. Any injury to your kidneys can lead to a build-up of waste and fluid, which can cause edema, nausea, weakness, restless...
Medical Coding
‘Tis the Season – Brush up on “Holiday” ICD-10 Codes
As everybody celebrates the holidays, emergency departments and trauma centers are gearing up to treat festivity-related mishaps. Christmas and New Year are full of fun and cheer, but sadly, these...
How to Code for Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a procedure that combines a bronchoscope with ultrasound to visualize airway wall and structures adjacent to it and allows physicians to take samples for biopsy...
How to Ensure Appropriate Use of Modifier 25
CPT codes are used to report medical procedures and services for processing claims. However, medical coding service providers are well aware that, sometimes, a CPT code may not be sufficient to...
AMA Announces Major CPT Code Changes for 2018
The American Medical Association (AMA) released several changes to CPT codes and descriptors during its 2018 CPT and RBRVS symposium held in Chicago Nov. 15-17. Physicians and their medical coding...
Key Points to Consider when Conducting an Internal Coding Audit
Quality medical billing and coding services are an essential component of the revenue cycle management solutions provided by experienced outsourcing companies. Internal coding audits strengthen...
2018 ICD-10 Code Updates and Documentation Guidelines for Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack involves necrosis of heart muscle secondary to prolonged ischemia. It is estimated that about 1.5 million cases of MI occur every year in the United...
Sarcoma Coding Inaccurate in Most Cases – CTOS Annual Meeting
A diverse family of rare cancers, sarcomas can develop in connective tissues and affect virtually any part of the body. Sarcomas grow in connective tissue - cells that connect or support other kinds...
National ICD-10 Coding Contest Finds Improved Accuracy in Inpatient Medical Coding
Medical coding service involves documentation, assigning appropriate codes, and developing a claim to be paid by Medicaid, Medicare or a commercial payer. Accuracy is a key factor in coding medical...
Watch Out for EHR-related Pitfalls when Reporting High-level E/M Codes
Most electronic health record (EHR) systems are designed to help physicians and medical coding service providers choose the appropriate evaluation and management (E/M) CPT codes for patient...
How to Code for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
As discussed in our last blog, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to certain associated chronic lung conditions that limit the airways and cause difficulties with breathing. It is...