Laboratory Question for the Week of March 12, 2018
Are there any restrictions on the types of specimens that can be assigned CPT® codes for drug-analysis procedures?
Are there any restrictions on the types of specimens that can be assigned CPT® codes for drug-analysis procedures?
If a patient is having a computed tomography (CT) abdomen/pelvis without contrast (CPT® 74176) and the physician orders two doses of Omnipaque 3,000 mg (Q9967) in 500 ml of sterile water to be administered orally 30 minutes before the exam, can we bill separately for the contrast? If so, is the contrast billed per ml? (I understand that whether intravenous contrast was injected determines coding for CT. Only intravenous administration of contrast changes the code sets. Oral and/or rectal contrast is not billable as a “with contrast” study.)
Can we bill separately for the oral contrast if the test is ordered as a CT abdomen/pelvis with and without contrast (CPT 74178)? I would think we cannot bill separately for the oral contrast in this situation because the IV contrast would already be billed.
What codes can be assigned for extremity arterial non-imaging Doppler studies?
The patient with late stage lung disease has progressed to the need for opioids and this is where palliation of symptoms falters and palliative care
Recent press coverage misleadingly suggested that the ruling was a serious setback to the government’s suit, which is not the case. On Feb. 12, 2018,
Uncertainty remains regarding specifics of documentation. A couple of weeks ago I talked about the new national coverage determination (NCD) for defibrillators. At the time,
There is no need to worry about coding for HCCs or risk adjustment, writes the author. Just follow the coding guidelines. Confusion abounds regarding the
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally was published March 1, 2018 in the RACmonitor e-News A look back on the difficult end to a cherished friend’s
The American Hospital Association (AHA) recently announced that notes from social workers and registered nurses will be considered social determinants of health (SDoH). In 1945,
Ronald Hirsch, MD reported on this breaking news story during the Feb. 20 edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays. Here are highlights of that reporting.
What CPT® codes can we use for Medicare claims when we provide high-flow oxygen therapy?
If a record only states “lupus” what would this condition map/code to? I am an auditor at work, and I am in a debate on how to code lupus not otherwise specified (NOS). I say this condition codes to L93.0 but a colleague suggests I am incorrect and that lupus should code/map to M32.9? Do you have any guidance on this particular condition?
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RACmonitor is proud to welcome back Dr. Ronald Hirsch, one of his most requested webcasts. In this highly anticipated session, Dr. Hirsch will break down the complex Two Midnight Rule Medicare regulations, translating them into clear, actionable guidance. He’ll walk you through the basics of the rule, offer expert interpretation, and apply the rule to real-world clinical scenarios—so you leave with greater clarity, confidence, and the tools to ensure compliance.
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Only ICD10monitor delivers what you need: updates on must-know changes associated with the FY26 IPPS, including new ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, CCs/MCCs, and MS-DRGs, plus insights, analysis and answers to your questions from two of the country’s most respected subject matter experts.
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This second session in our 2026 IPPS Masterclass will feature a review the FY26 changes to ICD-10-PCS codes. This information will be presented by nationally recognized ICD-10 coding expert Christine Geiger, MA, RHIA, CCS, CRC, with bonus insights and analysis from Dr. James Kennedy.
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