It is not breaking news that COVID-19 is affecting every aspect of society and our overall health. In an August 14, 2020 release from the American Medical Association (AMA), the under-reported issue of opioid-related overdoses is discussed. Read below to find out more. According to this brief, “More than 40 states have reported increases in…
With COVID-19 being a huge concern when considering sending your kids back to school, educational facilities are advised to be extra diligent in their cleaning, disinfecting, and social distancing procedures. Still though, sending your child to school during a pandemic can cause your stress levels to increase. Take a look at the articles provided below…
CMS is looking for public comments on the changes of the 2021 E/M codes. The added code focuses on services and resources suited to individual patients regarding ongoing and long-term illness. Keep reading to learn more about the addition of this code. With the proposed 2021 Evaluation & Management (E/M) changes final rule on track…
The report below describes a patient undergoing spinal surgery. The entire procedure has been documented in detail, describing the step by step process used by doctors to carry out the surgery. Keep reading for more on how this procedure was performed. Do you have a complicated surgery case that needs help with coding? RT Welter…
As we move closer to 2021 and our new E/M guidelines, now is the perfect time to educate our clinicians on the importance of documenting their encounters to include medical necessity. In the January 2020 issue of CMS MLN on Evaluation & Management under the General Principles of E/M Documentation, we see this guidance; Clear…
We have all seen water bottles with times listed on the sides reminding you to continue drinking water throughout the day. As you spend time outside this summer and temperatures continue to increase, staying hydrated is just as important as wearing your sunscreen. Do you know the warning signs that you are dehydrated? Spend just…
For the upcoming year, the FY 2021 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines have made over 500 significant changes. These updates, set to take effect on October 1, 2020, include 490 new codes, 47 revised codes, and 58 codes deemed invalid. The upcoming changes are some of the biggest yet, as they address hundreds of new policies. See RT Welter’s…
Comprehensive, age-appropriate HPI & Exam support 99396 for preventive reevaluation & management of 1 established chronic problem. OMM of 1 body area is performed supporting code 98925. Questionable use of dx code Z12.4. Consider Z01.419 or Z00.00. Unsupported 99213, documentation does not support a separately identifiable E/M illness code. Possible use of code Q0091 for…
New research shows the findings of how many times Chronic Care Management codes are used within different service environments. CCM codes have been on the rise recently, but denial rates have gone up as well. Read below to find out more. Chronic Care Management (CCM) code usage has been on the rise recently. CCM codes…
How do we determine if a medical patient is new or established? The decision is ultimately made based on the professional service they were given during their visit. Read more to learn how to recognize the differences between a new patient and an established patient when COVID-19 testing. In the June 29, 2020 edition of…