Read the first part of this blog, "Coverage for Medicare Colonoscopies" here.  Average Risk Colonoscopy  Average risk colonoscopy is defined as a test ordered in the absence of signs or symptoms or other evidence of illness, the physician interpreting the diagnostic test should report the reason of the test as the primary ICD-10 CM code.  The results of the test, if any,...

About 10% of neonates require some form of respiratory assistance at birth. To assign ICD-10-PCS ventilation codes correctly, it is important for Coding Professionals to understand the difference between invasive and noninvasive ventilation. An understanding of respiratory assistance given solely for the purposes of newborn resuscitation vs ongoing respiratory assistance...

Colonoscopies are critical to our well being. How these important services are documented and coded is equally as important. Medicare covers screening colonoscopies every 24 months if the patient is at high risk for colon cancer or once every 120 months, or 48 months after a previous flexible sigmoidoscopy. No cost to the beneficiary for screening colonoscopies and the...

February is National Cancer Prevention Month which promotes taking personal action to lower your risks for cancer. These include making healthy lifestyle choices for diet, exercise, avoiding tobacco products, protection against the sun as well as getting recommended cancer screenings and vaccinating against certain viruses that can cause cancer (e.g., human papillomavirus...

OBSTETRICAL INPATIENT DIAGNOSIS CODING – A REFRESHER Obstetrics is to coding as cats are to animal lovers, you either love or dislike that subset of coding (or the animal kingdom) and there's no in-between. Sometimes a refresher of the highlights related to obstetrical coding can be beneficial for ensuring accurate coding for this type of record or even re-ignite an...