In this fifth installment of our series on oncology quality studies we will discuss the preparation and writing of the summary analysis and study results. See links for parts 1-4 below.  Although there are no official content outlines for writing the final report, it is important to have a written document that states the project’s goals, lists the strategies used to...

My first blog on Diabetes Mellitus (DM) covered the pathophysiology of DM Types 1, 1.5, and 2. Read Part 1 Here. Types 1 and 2 (and even 1.5, though not “officially” recognized) are considered primary types of DM. There are other forms of DM that are due to underlying conditions or are “induced” by drugs or chemicals. Complications of primary DM include: hyperglycemia,...

Internal coding audits are an important tool in any hospital’s compliance program. They illuminate potential areas for corrections prior to scrutiny by payers and regulators, which can help reduce payer denials and protect revenue. Additionally, performing regular, ongoing internal auditing can improve clinical documentation and coding initiatives, enhance data integrity,...

E/M office and other and other outpatient visit guidelines will be changing as of January 1, 2021. Below are further details regarding these changes: Read Part I and Part II of this blog for more information. Major E/M revisions for 2021 regarding time of patient encounters include Extensive E/M guidelines additions, revisions, and restructuring Deletion of code 99201...

By: Carrie Pfeifle, BS, RHIT | Coding Audit Manager @ MRA Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Medicare officially refers to this as TAVR/TAVI, but either single acronym is correct. TAVR is a transcatheter surgical procedure in which an aortic valve replacement is performed without removing the...

Internal coding audits are an important tool in any hospital’s compliance program. They illuminate potential areas for corrections prior to scrutiny by payers and regulators, which can help reduce payer denials and protect revenue. Additionally, performing regular, ongoing internal auditing can improve clinical documentation and coding initiatives, enhance data...

March is kidney cancer awareness month. So what is the role of our kidneys? The kidneys are bean shaped organs located on each side of the mid back. The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs that lie behind the peritoneum that lines the abdominal cavity. The main function of the kidneys are to filter the blood and get rid of excess water and waste in the urine. However, did...

Cancer registries are legislatively mandated to collect confidential data on tumor characteristics, monitor cancer trends, aid in epidemiologic research, and collect quality cancer data elements. Abstracting Timeliness and what this means to you: Abstracting timeliness entails the completion of all analytic cases within six months from the date of initial diagnosis must...

How to Successfully Navigate Appeals Even with the temporary suspension of RAC reviews, hospitals continue to deal with insurance denials from a multitude of third party payers. Cathie Wilde, CCS Vice President of Coding Responding to these coding denials is time consuming. HIM, revenue cycle and coding professionals are further frustrated when they believe their...