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A quick check of the NCCI PTP edits can pay off in a big way. Let’s say you’re cruising along in what I call the “coding world.” You’re using your bundling matrix software and come across two codes that have a National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edit bundling them (one code includes the other). What […]
The post Modifier 59: Don’t Stop! Yield and Investigate appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.
Screening for Hepatitis B (HBV) infection in pregnant women provides substantial benefit, reaffirms the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in their recommendation statement released this month. This determination follows their review of new evidence on the benefits and risks of screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Serologic testing accurately identifies HBV infection and, in turn, […]
The post Stop Hepatitis B via HBsAg Screening in Pregnant Women appeared first on AAPC Knowledge Center.
I’m hoping to get some opinions regarding how to handle an unusual documented infusion entry. The patient received an infusion of lactated ringers, with frequency documented as Continuous. The times are documented as follows:
3/19 1117 New Bag 100mL/hr
3/19 1338 New Bag 100mL/hr
3/19 1444 Rate/Dose Verify 100mL/hr
3/19 2051 New Bag 100mL/hr
3/20 0028 Rate/Dose Verify 100mL/hr
3/20 0343 Restarted 100mL/hr
3/20 0613 Canceled Entry 100mL/hr
3/20 0614 Stopped 0mL/hr
3/20 0628 New Bag 100mL/hr
Normally, since this was documented as a continuous frequency infusion, I would count from the first entry on 3/19 1117 through 3/20 at 0614; However, with the "Restarted" entry and no "Stopped" time before that, I think I can only charge from the Restarted Time of 3/20 0343 through the Stopped Time 3/20 0614. The other question we had was whether the documented infusion time prior to the "Restarted" entry can be coded at all, mainly as IV pushes as opposed to infusion.
I appreciate any suggestions you may have 
Tracy
We are currently experiencing a situation in which an auditor is stating that all IV drugs ordered by the physician with an expected duration of 1-2 minutes must have a documented stop time in order to charge the 96374, 96375 or 96376.
I have never encountered a situation like this in over 5 years. Perhaps I’ve missed verbiage in the CPT coding book that states it must be present?
Any help would be appreciated.
For thousands of year, pearls were highly sought. In many parts of the world, you can find subcultures of deep sea divers known for their ability to collect hundreds of pounds of oysters and mussels from the ocean floor, lake, or river bottoms just to find a few quality pearls. Often these divers would have […]
AAPC Knowledge Center
Medical coders are at the front line of the fight to stop human trafficking with new ICD-10-CM codes effective October 1. and the American Hospital Association (AHA) is encouraging medical coders to identify signs in the documentation and use the new codes. Trafficking Terms in Documentation The AHA believes providers see victims of human trafficking […]
AAPC Knowledge Center
The April 2, 2018 issue of AARP Bulletin focuses on Medicare Fraud with a spread entitled “Medicare Under Assault” and the cover screaming that “crooks are stealing your healthcare dollars”. The article describes how medical coders and others are helping to identify and prosecute the scammers, who have figured out how to steal from Medicare by: Charging for services […]
AAPC Knowledge Center
Nicotine patches and gum
The idea behind nicotine replacement therapy is that:
a) nicotine is addictive and so
b) smokers get withdrawal symptoms if they stop smoking themselves.
Nicotine patches claim to help smokers overcome possible withdrawal effects of quitting smoking by releasing nicotine into the body that is replacing one form of nicotine with another. But even with patches or gum you will still need willpower, as nicotine replacement therapy will not completely remove the desire to smoke.
Promoting nicotine replacement therapy claims a success rate twice that of willpower. Will power helps about 5 to 7% compared to nicotine replacement therapy which represents a success rate of between 10% – 14%.
Reported side effects: skin rash (patches), insomnia, nausea, sores in the mouth (gums) and indigestion.
Nicobrevin
Nicobrevin is sold as a nicotine-free supplement to relieve withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. It states to calm your nerves, and blocking the craving for cigarettes.
Zyban
Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride) is an anti-depressant drug used to help smokers stop smoking.
Reported side effects include insomnia, headaches, seizures and death!
Champix (Varencline)
Champix is a course of tablets. The claim is that you are less inclined to smoke when the blood level of nicotine falls, and also makes cigarettes less satisfying.
Reported side effects of Champix: Some users have reported feeling depressed or suicidal!
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