What is a QR Code?
by Jonathan Ray - December 2, 2010
Here’s a code you might not see every day. It’s called a QR Code and it allows you to quickly access information when using the proper retrieval device and reader. You may have noticed these codes at the last trade show or retail shop you visited or magazine you just read. If you have a mobile smartphone like an iPhone or Android device you can access these codes yourself and they can be quite useful when you need information fast when you’re on the go.
So, are you curious to know what lies behind this code?
Tip of the Week: Capsular Contracture Release
by Bonnie Schreck, CCS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, COBGC - December 2, 2010
For CPT code 23020, capsular contracture release should not be confused with tenotomy or muscle transfer procedures of the shoulder, sometimes referred to as tendon or muscle release procedures.
2011 HCPCS Level II Changes
by Bonnie Schreck, CCS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, COBGC - November 23, 2010
Level II of the HCPCS is a standardized coding system that is used primarily to identify products, supplies, and services not included in the CPT codes, such as ambulance services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when used outside a physician’s office. Although updates to this system take place on a quarterly basis, many of the changes occur for the effective date of January 1st of every year.
The biggest change is that the ‘D’ codes are not included in the HCPCS Level II code set for 2011. For this year, the ADA has changed its long-standing position and asked CMS not to include the CDT code set in CMS’ annual HCPCS Level II update file that is published on the CMS website. This leaves it up to anyone interested in using or distributing the CDT codes to contact the ADA to establish a user’s agreement.
How Would You Code This Visit?
by Bradden Blair, Dean of Contexo University - November 23, 2010
A 12-year-old girl arrives at your office with her mother for an evaluation of the child’s cough. The mother reports that the child has a nocturnal nonproductive cough 2 to 3 times per month for the past 3 months associated with increasing episodes of shortness of breath that resolve spontaneously. During soccer games, the girl has recurrent episodes of cough and wheezing, which are only relieved when she uses a friend’s albuterol inhaler.
Past medical history reveals that the patient has had recurrent upper respiratory infections and had bronchitis 2 years ago. The patient has had no hospitalizations or emergency department visits. Current medications include diphenhydramine for her intermittent runny nose and an occasional puff from her friend’s albuterol inhaler during soccer games.
Click here to read the rest of the case. An educational video is also provided for your reference.
Tip of the Week: Temporary Influenza Vaccine Codes
by Bonnie Schreck, CCS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, COBGC - November 23, 2010
Four of the five new temporary influenza vaccine codes, Q2035 (Afluria), Q2036 (Flulaval), Q2037 (Fluvirin), and Q2038 (Fluzone), identify a specific name brand of vaccine and should be reported accordingly. The fifth code, Q2039 (NOS), is for all other influenza vaccines that do not fall under one of the name brands listed above.
Highlights of 2011 CPT Changes
by Lori Becks, RHIA - November 16, 2010
Deleted Codes
For the 2011 CPT code set, several codes have been deleted together in cohesive groups of a set of codes applicable to particular types of procedures. The coder is redirected to see not only newly created codes, but current codes that were revised in relation to the deleted changes. Examples of these groupings of deleted codes include:
- Debridement codes 11040-11041
- Transluminal angioplasty codes 35454-35456, 35459, 35470, 35473-35474
- Transluminal atherectomy codes 35480-35495
- Radiological S & I codes for transluminal atherectomy 75992-75996
- Diaphragmatic hernia repair codes 39502, 39520-39531
- Gastric and duodenal intubation and aspiration codes 89100-89105, 89130-89141
- Immunization administration codes 90465-90468
- Cardiovascular monitoring service codes 93230-93237
- Cardiac catheterization codes 93501, 93508-93529
- Injection during cardiac catheterization codes 93539-93556
How Would You Code This Diagnosis?
by Bradden Blair, Dean of Contexo University - November 16, 2010
Diagnostic Spotlight: Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
“On October 14, a 69-year-old man with a 2-day history of chest discomfort and numbness, tingling, and tremors of the left arm was admitted to a local hospital for cardiac evaluation. On October 16, the patient had onset of progressive dysphagia, diaphoresis, delirium, and myoclonus. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics for possible sepsis and acyclovir for suspected herpes encephalitis. He developed renal insufficiency requiring hemodialysis and respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation. A serum rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for rabies antibodies was negative on October 18. The patient died on November 1, and postmortem examination of the brain revealed Negri bodies. Subsequent testing confirmed a diagnosis of rabies. The patient had told a friend that two or three times a year he had removed bats from his house with his bare hands; several other residences used by the patient also had potential portals for the entry of bats. He did not mention being bitten by an animal but had asked a friend a week before admission if rabies could be acquired from an insect bite.”
Source: MMWR Weekly: December 15, 2000 / 49(49);1111-5.
Click below to confirm your diagnosis.
Tip of the Week: Core Needle Biopsy
by Bonnie Schreck, CCS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P, COBGC - November 16, 2010
CPT code 20206 is not limited to muscle tissue. This code may also be used to report percutaneous biopsies of other musculoskeletal system soft tissues. This procedure may also be referred to as a core needle biopsy.
2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value Update
by Lauri Gray, CPC, RHIT - November 10, 2010
It is once again time to review changes to Medicare payment policies contained in the Final Rule for the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Medicare Part B and to determine the impact these changes will have on reimbursement during the coming year. The Final Rule contains critical information on all components used to calculate reimbursement for physician services, but the one physicians tend to focus on is the conversion factor (CF) because of the effect it has on reimbursement for all services. Unfortunately, because Congress has not dealt with flaws in the current methodology for updating the PFS, unless emergency legislation is introduced to forestall a reduction in the conversion factor (CF), physicians will face a reduction in reimbursement of 24.9 percent for CY 2011.
Selling Your Education: The Art of the Resume
by Bradden Blair, Dean of Contexo University - November 10, 2010
A well written resume is an absolute necessity in today’s uncertain business environment. Whether you’re writing your first resume, updating an existing one, or targeting your resume for a specific job posting, take time to think carefully about keyword selection. You could be the most qualified person for a position, but you could be lost in a sea of applicants without the right keywords. Remember, all of those continuing education hours won’t do much good unless you can make others aware of them. A well written and organized resume can be your most powerful microphone.
This article provides some tips for developing an effective resume. Like so many other skills, the ingredients for a successful resume include patience, time, and practice.
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- Coffee drinking linked to longer life
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- AMA offers online tool for physicians to assess driving ability of older patients
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