Need a quick summary of the global surgical package and frequently used modifiers? This article from CodingIntel will ensure that your medical practice gets paid correctly for services that are performed. This article includes Definition of the global surgical package Explanation of global surgery billing Explanation of “separate procedure” Global surgery billing and coding rules […]

What if I admit a patient and don’t take the patient immediately to surgery? Can I bill for the admission and subsequent visits if the patient goes to surgery later in the week? In this case, it depends on when you admit the patient and when the final decision for surgery is made. A major […]

Coding. Why does it keep changing? The information you are looking for has moved. Please see the following resources for up-to-date information on the new teaching physician rules and modifier GC: Teaching Physician Rules-Surgical Procedures Teaching Physician Rules – Evaluation and Management Services   Revised, Betsy Nicoletti 5/4/19    

Wound repair is classified as Simple, Intermediate or Complex Simple: 12001—12021 Intermediate: 12031—12057 Complex: 13100–13160 Simple repair: Use when the wound to superficial involving primarily epidermis, dermis or subcutaneous tissue Simple one layer closure Includes local anesthesia, and chemical or electro cauterization of wants not closed Download the minor surgical services billing guide for RVU […]

There are three key components to evaluation and management services. History, Exam and Medical decision making. Each component has specific rules and documentation requirements. This downloadable article includes definitions, codes, billing guidelines, helpful reference charts and more for each of the three components. COURSE E/M auditing in depth is one of three courses offered by CodingIntel. […]

What is the difference between a screening and diagnostic colonoscopy, and how are they coded? What if a screening colonoscopy was scheduled, but a diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopy was performed? What you need to know about reporting for colonoscopy procedures in about 10 minutes. See also: Diagnosis coding for screening colonoscopy Procedure Coding for Colonoscopies […]

Should you bill just a procedure? Or an E/M service with it? Medicare provides a breakdown by CPT® code of the pre-evaluation, pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-operative times included in each code. Find out more in this 5 minute video. After watching, check out this article for additional information. And download the time file referred to […]

What kind of unspecified codes can a practice still use? Which ones need to be avoided? Quick, five minute guidance in this video about unspecified codes in ICD-10. Relevant Search Terms:diagnosis codes, NCD, LCD, procedures, labs, diagnostic testing

Critical care has high relative value units and payments so it’s important to know the coding rules. This video describes when and how to bill for critical care services including: the components of critical care, what can be included in the time of critical care and what can’t be included, and the time thresholds for […]

The Medicare Fee Schedule is much more than Relative Value Units! It is the source of global days and status indicators. It tells if a service can be paid bilaterally, if an assistant at surgery is allowed and the break down of the professional and technical component for tests. What you need to know about […]

These evaluation and management modifiers indicate to a payer that the service provided was not part of the global surgical package. What are the criteria for using these modifiers? This video covers what you need to know about modifiers 24, 25 and 57 in about 15 minutes… Members can also download the modifier 25 audit […]

Select the correct category of code: should it be a new patient, an established patient or a consult? This video includes CPT® and Medicare definitions, insurance considerations and documentation guidelines for each…

Two for the price of one, or report both a problem oriented visit and a preventive service? This video includes CPT® and Medicare guidelines for deciding if you can bill both the E/M service and the preventive service, or if you must select only one. After watching, check out this article for some additional resources.

This is the first part of a two part series regarding coding for chronic diseases. Includes coding for current conditions and some “status” conditions. This 10 minute video covers chronic conditions common to primary care and other specialties. Relevant Search Terms: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure

This is part two of our series regarding coding for chronic diseases. Includes coding for current conditions and some “status” conditions. This 10 minute video covers some additional chronic conditions common to primary care and other specialties. Relevant Search Terms: smoking, angina, CAD, heart disease, MI, acute MI, diabetes, varicose veins

ICD-10 chapter 5 includes diagnosis codes for depression and anxiety. These codes require specificity. This video addresses how to select diagnosis codes for patients with depression or anxiety. Relevant Search Terms: mental health, mental health services, counseling, anxiety, depression

Learn the correct coding for personal history of abuse and neglect, and family history of abuse and neglect. Includes discussion of “history of” vs. current abuse, and information on important key changes in ICD-10… Relevant Search Terms: physical abuse, psychological abuse, child abuse, neglect, adult abuse, mental health disorders, alcohol abuse, dependence, drug abuse, sexual […]

Correctly select the most accurate code for substance use, abuse and dependence in ICD-10. This short video includes discussion of key changes including increased specificity… Relevant Search Terms: mental health disorders, alcohol abuse, dependence, drug abuse, addiction

When should a practice use an aftercare diagnosis code, a personal history of a condition diagnosis code, or a post-trauma sequela code? This video answers common questions about billing sequel, aftercare and personal history. Relevant Search Terms: coding, orthopedics, surgery, trauma, accidents, diagnosis codes, aftercare

In ICD-10-CM, diagnosis coding for preventive medicine services are divided as with or without abnormal findings. Learn about ‘Z’ codes in this 5 minute video on examination codes in ICD-10… Relevant Search Terms: Z codes, preventive medicine, diagnosis codes, examination codes, immunization

What to Know About HCC Codes, Medicare Risk Adjustment and HCC Coding Guidelines Getting ready for risk-adjusted diagnosis and alternate payment systems requires paying greater attention to diagnosis coding. This video from CodingIntel describes why medical practices need to step up their game in diagnosis coding, as well as the importance of proper HCC codes, […]