Code Encounters

HCCS’s Coding Canapés: Tasty tidbits of coding delivered directly to your desktop!

Coding cervical disc disorder with myelopathy involving different levels.

Outpatient coders for physician offices, clinics in the hospital setting, or ER coders may see a similar situation such as this one with cervical disc disorders.  If there are different levels, how do I know which level to code?  Is it the highest level or all the levels?  See the coding clinic to determine the correct code.

A patient is diagnosed with cervical disc disorder with myelopathy involving different levels.  How do I code this?

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HCCS’s Coding Canapés: Tasty tidbits of coding delivered directly to your desktop!

Respiratory failure following a drug overdose, sequela or a manifestation?

Inpatient or observation coders for acute hospital settings may see a similar situation such as this one with chronic respiratory failure following drug overdose.  How do I know if it is a sequela or a manifestation?  Coders may find it difficult to know whether to follow the poisoning guidelines or not.  See the clarification from the coding clinic to determine the correct path.

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Feeling frustrated about that coding assessment for a potential new job? We understand. Let us explain the importance of the exam and how it can benefit you.

Recently I came across several LinkedIn posts discussing coders disappointments towards coding tests used during the screening process.  This frustration caught my attention and while I can sympathize, let me take a moment to give you some background on why companies need to have a coding assessment in place.

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You just landed your first medical coding job. Congrats! Next step, organize your desk and office space for success. Read how our experts get organized.

You did it! You just landed your first medical coding job so now you start clearing the dining table, place your laptop down and start your new journey. That's all there is to it, right?

Think again! Let me introduce you to your new friend: HIPAA. It is the governing regulation that maintains patient privacy and integrity.  It will also shape the way you setup your office.

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HCCS’s Coding Canapés: Tasty tidbits of coding delivered directly to your desktop!

Topic

What is perinatal period in ICD-10-CM? Is the administration of Pitocin to augment active labor coded separately in ICD-10-PCS?

ICD-10-CM-

 Question  

The Official ICD-10-CM Guidelines for Coding and Reporting in the chapter on the perinatal period state, “For coding and reporting purposes the perinatal period is defined as before birth through the 28th day following birth.” Therefore, does this mean that the perinatal period ends on the 29th day of life, making the day of birth equal 0 days?

 

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HCCS’s Coding Canapés: Tasty tidbits of coding delivered directly to your desktop!

The Topic:

Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

ICD-10-CM-

Question

Please reconsider the advice previously published in Coding Clinic, First Quarter 2014, page 25, stating that the coder cannot assume either diastolic or systolic failure or a combination of both, based on documentation of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Would it be appropriate to code diastolic or systolic heart failure when the provider documents HFpEF or HFrEF?

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