In: Nursing
Please answer the following in your initial post:
What is the ICD-10-CM? How will it impact the coding of claims?
Describe at least one of the outpatient coding guidelines listed in your text.
What is the CPT?
What is one symbol that is used throughout the CPT coding book? Describe its purpose.
What is medical necessity, and how is it communicated to the insurance companies?
Should physicians be required to prove the medical necessity of the services they have provided? Why, or why not?
1. ICD -10-CM stands for International Classification of
Diseases, tenth revision, Clinical Modification. It is a system
used by health care providers and clinicians to classify and code
all diagnoses, symptoms and procedures. It was published by the
World health organisation and uses an unique alphanumeric code to
identify the diseases and other health problems. It is used for
mortality and morbidity statistics. The ICD 10 has a great impact
on the revenue cycle for providers.
2. The outpatient coding guidelines are as follows:
• In the outpatient setting, the first listed diagnosis is used as
the principal diagnosis.
• Diagnosis are often not established at the time of first visit.
It will take two or more visits before confirming the
diagnosis.
• If the patient needs a outpatient surgery, the reason for the
surgery is coded as the first listed diagnosis.
• When q patient is admitted for observation, the medical condition
is coded as the first listed diagnosis. If there is complications
it is coded as secondary diagnosis.
3. CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology. It was formed by
the American Medical Association. It describes medical, surgical
and diagnostic services. It was designed to communicate uniform
information regarding the services among physicians, coders,
patients, organizations, financiers and administrators. It is
similar to ICD coding except that it denotes the services
given.
4. CPT symbols commonly used are as follows:
• Bullet on the left of code denotes new code
• Triangle on the left of code indicates the code is revised.
• Plus denotes add on codes
• Asterisk shows minor surgery
• Semi colon shows shorter descriptions