Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers

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Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationale

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CPC Practice Exam and Study Guide Package

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What makes a good CPC Practice Exam? Questions and Answers with Full Rationale

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2018 CPC Practice Exam Answer Key 150 Questions With Full Rationale (HCPCS, ICD-9-CM, ICD-10, CPT Codes) Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers

Practice Exam

Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationale

CMS Proposes to Extend Medicare Coverage of Immunosuppressive Drugs for Kidney Transplant Recipients

Coverage would continue after 36 months. On April 22, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) that would, in part, extend Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant recipients. Section 402 of the CAA proposes to extend immunosuppressive drug coverage under […]

The post CMS Proposes to Extend Medicare Coverage of Immunosuppressive Drugs for Kidney Transplant Recipients appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.

AAPC Knowledge Center

Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease

Check your diagnosis coding for this patient encounter. A patient presents today for a follow-up for her hypertension. At her last visit, she was complaining of swelling in her feet and ankles, back pain, trouble sleeping, and having to get up at night to urinate. She has a family history of chronic kidney disease (CKD). […]

The post Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.

AAPC Knowledge Center

Final Rule Encourages Home Dialysis and Living Donor Kidney Transplants

Mandatory model aims to reduce Medicare expenditures for ESRD patients while improving their quality of care.

The post Final Rule Encourages Home Dialysis and Living Donor Kidney Transplants appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.

AAPC Knowledge Center

Limited Vs. Complete Kidney Ultrasound

Hello… I am reaching out for guidance and advise of the coding of a complete Vs. Limited Kidney US.
Per the CPT book it states "if clinical history suggests urinary tract pathology, complete evaluation of the kidneys and urinary bladder also comprises a complete retro peritoneal ultrasound."
Does anyone have advise regarding this statement when coding in a service like 3M’s Code Assist. How are you interpreting the urinary tract pathology?
For example clinical indications states "CKD" both kidneys and the bladder are evaluated, what would you code? Limited or complete?
Are there any training guides or resources that you all use for guidance?

Thanks in advance….

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Support World Kidney Day with Proper Coding

On World Kidney Day, March 8, take a moment to refresh your understanding of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and how to properly code this unfortunate diagnosis. One in seven Americans has CKD — more women than men: CKD affects 16 percent of women and 13 percent of men, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and […]
AAPC Knowledge Center

Anemia due to kidney failure, post transplant

How would you suggest coding anemia due to chronic renal failure if the patient is post transplant, and the documentation does not support current CKD? D63.1 is a manifestation code requiring the underlying condition… Would D64.89 be the most appropriate? Thanks in advance.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Some Medical Alerts For Kidney Stones

Many people are not aware of it but there are actually different types of kidney stones that some individuals suffer from. Among those types, the most common that most people develop is called “calcium oxalate stone.” While others are called ‘struvite stones,” “uric acid stones,” and “cystine stones.” These types vary depending on what cause them and their characteristics.

People who are prone to kidney stones must familiarize themselves with the different types as early as possible so they would know what to adjust. Aside from setting lifestyles changes, knowing what type of kidney stones develop in the body is also important because it will help you do the things that will prevent their existence in your body system.

The symptoms of kidney stones

To be able to address the condition properly, it a must for people who are prone to having kidney stones to familiarize themselves with the condition. In order to determine if one is suffering from kidney stones, here are some medical alerts or symptoms to be noted:

1. Pain in all levels. As vague as it is, pain in varying levels is one of the major medical alerts of kidney stones. Considered as a common symptom for kidney stones, pain may vary depending on the size of the kidney stone and the length of time that it remains undiagnosed. Experts say that pain-which can be mild or extreme-is normal for people who suffer from kidney stones. This is because as the stone increases in size and weight, the more discomfort it brings especially during urination. Another form of pain that can be experienced due to kidney stones is from renal colic, which brings waves of severe pain that lasts for more than 10 minutes and can even last for an hour depending on the location of the kidney stone.

2. Blood in the urine or “hematuria.” The presence of blood in the urine is quite disturbing but this is one of the most common medical alerts of kidney stones.

Other symptoms of kidney stones include nausea or vomiting, pain with urination, and at times, the urgent need to urinate which are usually characterized among children and adults.

The importance of diagnosis

Did you know that almost 50 percent of the people who suffer from kidney stones would likely have them again in the next 10 years or so? This is because many of the sufferers do not continue medication and they cease from maintaining healthy diet and lifestyle.

People who are likely to suffer from kidney stones can go to any hospital’s Emergency Room or “ER”. Here, you can ask the attending physician or the hospital clerk on duty to undergo testing. It is advantageous for you to go straight in the ER because hospital people will attend to you directly. In most cases, it would take a long time before one can actually set at check up with a specialist. So it would be best if you go directly to the ER and get the prompt attention that you need.

Diagnosis can be done through an assessment of the person’s clinical history, a physical examination, laboratory evaluation, and x-ray for follow up. Having early diagnosis can definitely help you determine which type of kidney stone is present and would lead to faster and reliable treatments.

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Chronic kidney disease and hypertension???

In the ICd-10 guidelines it states to assume a causal relationship between chronic kidney disease and hypertension. However, while coding a patient’s chart at work I was informed to assume this was incorrect unless the provider documents that there is a relationship between hypertension and chronic kidney disease; such as key words that state due to or with. I was informed to code hypertension as just I10 because there was no documentation stating a relationship between hypertension and chronic kidney disease?? I work in a nursing home-long term care facility and just wanted to verify. Thanks.

Medical Billing and Coding | AAPC Forum

ICD-10-CM Coding: Hypertensive Heart Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Hypertension

Hypertensive heart disease refers to a group of disorders that includes heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy. It is the number one cause of death associated with high blood pressure. Documentation must state (heart failure due to hypertension) or imply a causal relationship (hypertensive heart failure) to assign a code from category […]
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