|
|
|
Search
10/03/2015 Joseph Borreggine, DPM
ICD-10 Panic
So, here were are hours into the ICD-10 transition. The sky has not fallen, but it might still. "The proof will be in the pudding", as they say. Whether we get paid on these new codes will be up to the insurance companies that we bill. We will see what happens over next few weeks and months.
The warnings that we may not get paid in a timely fashion may still occur; so be prepared for some "expected" financial shortfalls in your revenue stream during this transition. It is a good idea to identify any available Local Carrier Determination Policies (LCDs) provided by CMS (Medicare) and any other billing nuances with respect to to your CMS-1500 claim form required to have a "clean claim."
I have been dual coding for the last month and feel confident that I am prepared to use the proper ICD-10 codes. I have listened to numerous APMA webinars and attended numerous seminars on ICD-10 coding which have helped immensely. My observation is that a majority of these new codes are a simple one-to-one transition with the added "6th or 7th character" based on laterality, visit presentation (initial "A", subsequent "D", or sequela "S"), and other letters like "B-S" for fractures, sprains, wound and ulcers. There are other things like "exclusion" of certain diagnosis that must not be used when using a particular code or "inclusions" that require a code be present when using a code.
I opine that this ICD-10 transition has been made much simpler with the APMA ICD-10 resources (APMA Coding Resource Center), Codingline, PM News Magazine, Podiatric State affiliate coding programs, and other available references on the Internet. So, if you have done your homework, studied the material, then you should past the test. The grade you receive will be reflected in either acceptance or rejection of the codes you submit. Whether they are right or not is based on your interpretation of what you diagnosed in your exam, The infamous insurance "audit" is now going to be lurking no more than ever, therefore your documentation must match your codes submitted.
Good luck and may the coding gods be with you (and me)!
Joseph Borreggine, DPM, Charleston, IL
There are no more messages in this thread.
|
|
|
|