Understanding Asthma (ICD-9-CM 93.00 – 493.92)
by Elena Wellard - September 9, 2010
Understanding Asthma (ICD-9-CM 493.00 – 493.92)
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways.
Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood. In
the United States, more than 22 million people are known to have asthma. With
today’s knowledge and treatments, most people who have asthma are able to manage
the disease.
Tip of the Week: Arthroscopic Debridement
by Bonnie Schreck, CCS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, COBGC - September 9, 2010
There are two codes for reporting arthroscopic debridement of the shoulder – limited (29822) and extensive (29823). Limited debridement is reported when only a portion of the articular cartilage is removed, such as cartilage from only the front or back of the shoulder. Extensive debridement is used when there is documentation indicating that articular cartilage has been removed from both the front and back.
Are You Ready for the RAC Audits?
by Lauri Gray, CPC, RHIT - September 2, 2010
For those who are not yet familiar with the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program, it is federally mandated program designed to detect and correct past improper payments made under Medicare. CMS has identified four regions and has contracted with four RACs to perform claims and medical record audits in these regions. All four RACs have received claims data from CMS and are currently reviewing the data from all states and for all provider types to identify improper payments.
This means that all providers in all states should expect that the claims they have submitted to Medicare are being reviewed and should know what to expect if the RAC determines that improper payments have been made to them.
Parent Errors in Measuring Children’s Doses
by Elena Wellard - September 2, 2010
Parent Errors in Measuring Children’s Doses
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recently reported on a study of the errors parents make when measuring children’s doses of oral medications. In the study, 300 parents were observed as they attempted to measure liquid doses using dosing cups, droppers, dosing spoons and oral syringes.
Tip of the Week: Bone Grafting
by Bonnie Schreck, CCS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, COBGC - September 2, 2010
For spinal procedures, bone grafting is reported separately and in addition to the arthrodesis with CPT codes 20930-20938. The 62 modifier is not appended to the bone grafting, CPT codes 20900-20938.
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