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2018 ICD-10-CM Code Set Begins October 1st

 
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By: Lorna Simons, CPC
Medco Consultants, Inc

Happy New Year! Or not quite new year. It is that wonderful time of the year where the ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification) code set changes over.

Unlike CPT® (Current Procedural Terminology) and HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System), ICD-10-CM codes are valid from October 1 through September 30. This means for services performed on and after October 1, the 2018 ICD-10-CM manual should be used for diagnosis coding. 

Have you purchased and received your updated ICD-10-CM manual? If not, don’t fret. While you wait for your new books to arrive, you can visit the CMS website for the 2018 ICD-10-CM and GEMS (General Equivalence Mappings). This will help you view all of the updated and revised codes. 

Many sections including ophthalmology, cardiovascular and gastroenterology incurred multiple changes. To view the changes, download the GEMS to see if any of the changes will affect your practice or if your superbills need to be updated.

Modifier 25 Reimbursement Reduced

 
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By: Lorna Simons, CPC
Medco Consultants, Inc

Have you noticed reduced reimbursements for your Evaluation and Management (E/M) visits with Modifier 25 appended? For years Modifier 25, Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service, has been on the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) workplan for inappropriate use and overutilization.  In response to utilization concerns, Independence Health Group (IBX), who has subsidiaries in multiple states, reduced the reimbursement for E/M visits when the modifier is appended to 50% of the fee schedule/contracted rate.

According to IBX’s Modifier 25: Frequently asked questions, effective 8/1/17, the new policy will affect their Commercial and Medicare advantage plans when performed with a minor surgical procedure or preventive visit. Providers participating in the plans affected by the reimbursement change will not be able to dispute the reimbursement changes as it is part of their policy. 

It is always important to check with the insurance carrier’s policy when noticing a change in your reimbursement rate. If the policy states the insurance carrier reimburses for Modifier 25 at a regular or reduced rate and you notice changes or denials, contact your provider representative for additional information. 

 Source:

Are Your Claims Getting Denied for Pelvic Dopplers?

 
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By: Lorna Simons, CPC
Medco Consultants, Inc

Have you performed, documented and billed out non-obstetric pelvic ultrasounds with pelvic dopplers only to find the doppler is getting denied? Ask yourself the following questions:

1) Did the patient have a diagnosis, sign or symptom of arterial or venous disease documented, treated/managed and coded?
Medical necessity for non-invasive vascular studies are based on whether or not the outcome of the study will affect the treatment/ management. Make sure to document and code the diagnosis, sign or symptom that led to the performance of the doppler. 
Many Local Coverage Determinations (LCD) note abdominal pain or tenderness is not an indication for an initial diagnostic study unless there is a high likelihood that the pain is caused by a vascular disorder. Refer to the LCD for your area for specific direction.

2) Who performed the doppler?
The LCD for your geographic area will indicate who can perform a pelvic doppler. Both the NGS LCD L33627 and CGS LCD L34045 for Non-Invasive Vascular Studies state only the following providers can perform these studies:

  • Providers who are “competent in diagnostic vascular studies” 
  • Providers under the general supervision of providers credentialed in vascular technology
  • Ultrasound techs certified in vascular technology

Facilities accredited in vascular technology

3) Do you have a valid referral/order?
You must have a referral or order with clear indication of why the study is necessary on file for the service to be performed. If you are the provider performing the service you must clearly document in the treatment note why the study is necessary. Valid orders include the following: 

  • The patient’s name
  • The test requested
  • Clinical indications for the test
  • The legible name, signature and date (Signature stamps are not acceptable)

If you have all of the above with the imaging and report, the studies shouldn’t be denied. 

 

 Source:

  • National Government Services Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Non-Invasive Vascular Studies (L33627)
     
  • Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation LCD: Non-Invasive Abdominal / Visceral Vascular Studies (L35755)
     
  • CGS Administrators, LLC LCD: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies (L34045)

Can I Code an Office Visit with INR Checks?

 
 

By: Lorna Simons, CPC
Medco Consultants, Inc

A quick rule of thumb is if the patient is feeling fine with no other complaints, compliant with their medication and doesn’t require changes to their current dosage, just code the prothrombin check. 

As discussed in National Government Services’ 99211 Job Aid, the provider can bill out an E/M in any of the following circumstances:

  • Medication management is performed
  • New symptoms or side effects are evaluated (i.e. bleeding or bruising)
  • Modification is made to their current therapy
  • Changes are being made to the patient’s management
  • Current medications are noted with the level of compliance with their medication noted.
  • The provider is treating another condition or concern at the same visit

Examples: 

  • If a returning patient presents concerned about drinking cranberry juice while on coumadin after seeing a day time talk show “expose” and the provider then has a 10-minute discussion with the patient regarding juices and medication, the provider can code a 99212 (Established Patient E/M, straightforward complexity) with CPT code 85610 Prothrombin time.
  • If a patient notes increased bruising since there last prothrombin check and the provider assesses the bruising.
  • If the provider treats a URI at the same visit as the prothrombin check. 

It is important to remember that all the elements of an E/M should be documented to support the E/M visit.

 

 Source:

NGS Procedure Code 99211 Job Aid, http://ow.ly/P4C230dZECS 

How To Avoid I&D Denials

 
 

By: Jacqueline Thelian, CPC, CPC-I, CHCA
Medco Consultants, Inc

Are Incision & Drainage (I&D) denials draining your wallet? Ever wonder why the insurance carrier is asking for a refund on your I&D? After all you did document “I&D done”.

Well that is the problem. Simply writing what was done without a description of the procedure, the indication for the procedure and written consent will result in a claim denial.

The CPT codes for I&D (10060-10061) are located in the surgery section of the CPT manual and as such they are designated as surgical procedures. 

Let’s look at the required documentation for I&D codes 10060 & 10061. 

  • The signs and symptoms that required the I&D
  • The pre-operative size, location and appearance of any abscess, hematoma or any lesion undergoing the I&D
  • A description of the procedure to include, the equipment utilized the approximate quantity (e.g. 1cc, 5ml) and quality (e.g. serous, bloody, frank pus, etc.) of the drained material
  • How the patient tolerated the procedure and any post-op instructions
  • And don’t forget the signed consent, after all it is a surgical procedure.

So next time you document that I&D don’t let it drain your wallet with another denial. Use the checklist above to get it right and hold on to your reimbursement.

NGS Claim Submission Changes

 
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By: Lorna Simons, CPC
Medco Consultants, Inc

Healthcare continues to keep up with technology with the new claim submission changes issued by National Government Services (NGS). Beginning July 10, 2017 NGS will no longer be accepting claim submissions with handwriting on the CMS 1500 form (except in the specified signature boxes). As per the new alert issued on June 29th, handwritten claims received will be returned to the provider with a notice to submit a new claim in the acceptable format. 

The CMS Pub. 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 26, Section 30 notes the CMS 1500 form specifications are “required to facilitate the use of image processing technology such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), facsimile transmission, and image storing.”

NGS currently allows for claims to be submitted online via NGSConnex. If you are currently submitting handwritten claims it is recommended to open a dialogue with your billers and consider alternatives, as many private insurance carriers look towards Medicare and Medicaid for guidance. 

Medicare Beneficiary Card Changes Beginning April 2018

 
 

By: Lorna Simons, CPC
Medco Consultants, Inc

The effects of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) are rippling all throughout the healthcare community. Medicare beneficiaries will also be effected as the current Health Claim Numbers (HICNs) will be replaced. As part of MACRA, the Medicare Beneficiary Cards which use the patient’s individual social security number, will be replaced with a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI).  

The MBIs will be 11 characters and alphanumeric. The new identifier will not affect the beneficiary’s benefits. The push for the new identification numbers is to safeguard patients against fraud and identity theft. Starting in April 2018, new beneficiary cards and numbers will be issued. All Medicare cards are expected to be replaced by April 2019. During the transition period healthcare providers will be able to use either patient identifier (HICN or MBI) when submitting claims until December 31, 2019. 

NGS E/M Changes Not Mandatory

 
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By: Lorna Simons, CPC
Medco Consultants, Inc

 

As per the June 14, 2017 News Alert, National Government Services (NGS) is no longer making the changes to the examination requirements mandatory for providers beginning 7/1/17. Providers can use either original standard or the new suggestion. 

The audit tool on the NGS website will remain unchanged.

It is important to remember when documenting and coding E/M visits that they are comprised of 3 elements: The History, Examination and Medical Decision Making. 

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