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

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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

CPC Exam Review Video

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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

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Medicare Suspends Prior Authorization Requirements for Some DME

Prior authorization is no longer required for certain DME when it risks the health of the patient. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has suspended the prior authorization requirements for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when waiting for prior authorization would delay healthcare and risk the life or health […]

The post Medicare Suspends Prior Authorization Requirements for Some DME appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.

AAPC Knowledge Center

Pay-per-view: CMS backs off some burdensome proposals but imposes negative payment update in latest rule

The 2016 OPPS final rule includes the first negative payment update for the system, but CMS also listened to commenters’ suggestions to make a variety of proposals less onerous either operationally or financially.

"CMS’ language is quite firm in parts of the rule when explaining why some proposals were finalized, but the agency also showed its willingness to listen to providers who submitted detailed comments for other proposals," says Jugna Shah, MPH, president and founder of Nimitt Consulting, based in Washington, D.C., and Spicer, Minnesota.
 
Continue reading "CMS backs off some burdensome proposals but imposes negative payment update in latest rule" on HCPro’s website. Subscribers to Briefings on APCs have free access to this article in the January issue. 

HCPro.com – APCs Insider

iQIES Problems Derail Some PDGM Claims

The clock is ticking for OASIS matching edits to begin returning claims. Another week has gone by under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model with no solutions announced for OASIS submission problems with the new iQIES system. Why Are OASIS Files Being Rejected? At press time, 94 percent of home health agencies (HHAs) had gotten onto the […]

The post iQIES Problems Derail Some PDGM Claims appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.

AAPC Knowledge Center

Still confused on some of these… Please help Peripheral Coding

Coronary Angiogram and Intervention Report
Date of procedure: 12/20/18

Pre- op Ox: CAD, CCS II chest pain, Abnormal stress test
Post-op Ox: Coronary artery disease

Procedures:
1. Selective left coronary angiography
2. Laser arthrectomy of the proximal and mid left anterior descending artery for 70-80% in-stent restenosis.
Pre procedure 70-80% in-stent restenosis with TIMI 3 flow. Post procedure less th an 50% in-stent restenosis with TIMI 3 flow.
3. Stenting of the proximal left anterior descending
artery for 80% disease with a 3.0 x 12 mm drug-eluting stent Onyx; pre procedure and 80% diseaseTIMI-3 flow.
Post procedure 0% disease with TIMl-3 flow
4. Angioplasty of the mid 70% occluded left anterior descending artery with a 2.25 x 12 mm balloon; pre procedure 70% disease TIMI- 3 flo w. Post procedure less than 50% disease TIMl-3 flow

Anesthesia: Lidocaine 2%

Access Site: Right femoral artery 6 French

Findings:
LMCA · mild disease
LCX · 60· 70 % m id left circumflex artery OMl · mild to moderate disease
LAD • 80% proximal disease prior to stent; 70-80% in-stent restenosis of the proximal-mid left anterior descending artery stent; 70% disease post stent
Dl – moderate disease

Procedure in detail :
The patient was brought to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab in a fasting state. All appropriate labs had been reviewed.
Bilateral groins were prepped and draped in the usual fashion for sterile conditions. The appropriate time-out procedure was performed with appropriate identification of the patient, procedure, physician, position and documentation all done under my direct supervision and there were no safety issues raised by the staff.

Right groin was anesthetized with lidocaine and a 6-French sheath was put into place percutaneously via guide-wire exchanger using ultrasound guidance and a micro puncture access kit. All catheters were passed using a Hipped guide* wire. Left system coronary angiography performed using a 6-French EBU3.5 catheter.

Intervention:
A 6 French EBU 3-1/2 guide was used to engage the left system. Once engaged, a run- through wire was placed distally down the left anterior descending artery. The laser catheter was then placed over the run-through wire and attempted to place inside the in-stent restenosis. Multiple attempts were made and the catheter was unable to enter the stent. The wire was pulled back and re-placed inside the stent as there was a concern that the wire may have gone behind the stent. The laser catheter was still unable to be advanced into the stent. A smaller laser catheter was exchanged and still unsuccessful in going inside the stent. After multiple attempts, the laser catheter was finally able to enter the stent and multiple runs were made. Post arthrectomy with laser, an angiogram was done showing less than 50% disease inside the stent. The laser catheter was removed and a 3.0 x 12 mm balloon was used to dilate the in-stent restenosis. Multiple different balloons were used without much improvement.
Given the inability to use the larger laser catheter, the
decision was made to leave the in-stent restenosis as it
is given TIMI -3 flow and less than 50% disease. The laser catheter was removed and an angiogram was done showing no perforations or dissections TIMI 3 flow. A 2.25 x 12 balloon was placed distally to the stent where there was 70%>
stenosis and that area was angioplastied. Post
Angioplasty, there appear to be less than 50% disease and no perforations or dissections TIMI 3 flow. The proximal portion prior to the stent in the LAD appeared to be significantly diseased and a 3.0 x 12 mm drug -eluting stent Onyx was placed. Post stenting, an angiogram was done showing no perforations or dissections and TIMI-3 flow. Heparin given during the entire procedure.

Closure Device: None

EBL: Less than 20 ml Complications: None Lines: None

Specimens: None Condition: Stable

Finding s:
Status post arthrectomy of the proximal to mid left anterior descending artery in-stent restenosis
Angioplasty of the mid left anterior descending artery after the stent
Stenting of the proximal left anterior descending artery with a
3.0 x 12 mm drug-eluting stent Onyx

Recommendation:
Continue with aspirin, Plavix, Lipitor therapy
Consider stage PC! for patients left circumflex artery as an outpatient

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Looking for some feedback on 64721 + 26145

Hello Everyone,

I am struggling with what should be very simple. I am looking for any advice on how to code the following. When is it appropriate to bill 26145 & 64721 together and when it isn’t.

Here is a brief example – Ctr is standard
Here is the part of the surgery I need your opinions on:
the flexor tendons had a thickened hypertrophic tenosynovium- tenolysis x 4 with pickups and temotomies. hemostasis and clsure performed.
**dx M65.4, m19.041 & G56.01 – all done in the same incision

I have one coder saying 64721 + 26145 x4 and another just 64721 and one saying add a 22 to 64721 in certain cases

Is there anything cut and dry with this
My physician says 64721 + 26145 x4 do you all agree? if not, why?
Thank you SO much for any advice

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Who can help me find CIRCC to help me do some coding/New Interventional Rad clinic

Hello All,
I kind of have a unique situation. I am billing for a new Interventional Radiololgy Practice, and I have never ever done this kind of coding before. I used to be CPC, so I am an experience coder.
But I need help. Right now there are not many procedures and doctor is giving me the codes and I am searching thoroughly with a cpt book and Dr Z book also to make sure I am coding these right, But I need an experienced coder in Interventional Radiology to code these for me for a couple months and answer questions I have. (Of course this is remote also)

I am not even quite sure the pay I need to pay for this. But If you know someone that may be interested that is very good at this kind of coding, please private message me with a pay amount that you expect . Thank you so much! And any suggestions would be appreciated also 😮

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

CIRCC to help me do some coding/New Interventional Rad clinic

Hello All,
I kind of have a unique situation. I am billing for a new Interventional Radiololgy Practice, and I have never ever done this kind of coding before. I used to be CPC, so I am an experience coder.
But I need help. Right now there are not many procedures(maybe 5 a week as this is new practice) and doctor is giving me the codes and I am searching thoroughly with a cpt book and Dr Z book also to make sure I am coding these right, But I need an experienced coder in Interventional Radiology to code these for me for a couple months and answer questions I have.And maybe longer than a couple of months, I just don’t know. (Of course this is remote also)

I am not even quite sure the pay I need to pay for this. But If you know someone that may be interested that is very good at this kind of coding, please private message me with an offer.And a little background about yourself. . Thank you so much! And any suggestions would be appreciated also 😮

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Some ICD-10-CM Codes Expanded for 2019

If you are a particularly observant medical coder, you’ve probably noticed that many codes identified as deleted were actually promoted to new roles. Nearly 50 codes were revamped to become parent codes of more specific codes,and it’s causing some confusion because some electronic coding systems mark them as deleted AND new. Same Codes Marked as Deleted/New Take […]
AAPC Knowledge Center

Take Some Medicare Administrative Burden Off Yourself

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) knows there is a lot of administrative overhead when submitting medical claims for payment. To help you navigate through the red tape, CMS has created a “Administrative Simplification Basics Series,” where you can Sign up for Administrative Simplification email updates. The series helps the healthcare community use electronic […]
AAPC Knowledge Center