CODING
BY PAUL CADORETTE | MARCH 2024
Understanding patient anatomy is a crucial part of the coding process, especially for intricate procedures like pain management injections. Getting those codes right the first time requires comprehensive knowledge of each injection type, technique and administration site.
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BY SUSAN CREWS | MARCH 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently assigned a new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code for use in facility billing for single-use endoscopes. This device code offers ASCs additional Medicare payments when using disposable ureteroscopes.
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BY CRISTINA BENTIN | APRIL 2021
CY 2021 brought policy and reimbursement changes that would seem to position ASCs favorably for an obvious migration of cases from the hospital outpatient department (HOPD) to the ASC.
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BY STEPHANIE ELLIS, RN | APRIL 2021
In the coding world, modifiers are two-digit symbols added to CPT procedure codes to signify the procedure has been altered in some way.
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BY STEPHANIE ELLIS, RN | APRIL 2020
Several compliance issues could come up with the use of intraocular lenses (IOL) used in cataract cases performed on Medicare patients in ASCs. These compliance issues involve the use of premium lenses.
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BY MANDEARA FRYE | MARCH 2020
Successful coding requires ASC coders to understand the rules concerning their ASCs’ specialties and the procedures within those specialties.
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BY CRISTINA BENTIN | FEBRUARY 2020
While the ASC industry continues to celebrate the addition of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), CPT 27447, to the Medicare ASC-payable list beginning January 1, 2020, facilities will want to perform a financial due diligence analysis prior to adding these procedures to their case mix.
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BY CRISTINA BENTIN | MAY 2019
With prescription opioid addiction surpassing epidemic proportions, any effective non-opioid pain management tool that might prevent further opioid misuse is certainly one to be embraced. According to a 2017 study by the National Safety Council, in the US, the odds of death by an opioid overdose (1:96) is more likely than death by a motor vehicle accident (1:103).
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BY JONATHAN R. HART | APRIL 2017
Health care facilities, including ASCs, contain many building systems and equipment that are unique compared to other occupancies. Those systems play a vital role in providing care to patients and are a key component in patient outcomes. Even those systems that are not unique to health care can have more importance in facilities that are occupied by the sick, weak or otherwise compromised (i.e., individuals who are sedated or under anesthesia). The continual upkeep of these systems and equipment is essential to providing safe patient care.
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BY JESSICA EDMISTON | JANUARY 2017
What are the sounds of silence? Announce a coding audit during your next staff meeting and you will quickly find out.
This feared exercise need not inspire dread. In fact, while a coding audit might seem stressful, it is a straightforward, valuable learning opportunity that can position a facility for long-term success in today’s fast-changing, hypercompetitive health care market. Through regular coding audits, ASCs can improve compliance, eliminate inefficiencies and optimize revenue and financial performance.
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