Laboratory Question for the Week of April 14, 2025
Which code should be reported for the quantitative analysis of a non-specified mononuclear cell antigen via flow cytometry when the cell count is not defined by another code?
Which code should be reported for the quantitative analysis of a non-specified mononuclear cell antigen via flow cytometry when the cell count is not defined by another code?
When can code 36591 be reported for a Venous Access Device (VAD)?
What does the CMS market basket adjustment mean for OPPS payments in 2025?
Why can’t we code 95180 (rapid desensitization) and chemotherapy drug administration codes together when we perform carboplatin desensitization?
How is modifier 74 defined?
When it comes to coding for complex interventional radiology procedures like endoleak embolization, the stakes are high. Inaccurate coding not only threatens compliance and reimbursement
In December 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal challenging an Arkansas law requiring pharmaceutical companies to provide drug discounts through third-party
The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson highlights deep frustrations with America’s health insurance industry – an issue dramatized long earlier in the 2002 film
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a concerning audit report revealing widespread compliance
As coders, we are familiar with the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance (C&M) Committee. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) describes it as a
As the healthcare industry changes, there needs to be a shift from a growth perspective to an efficiency perspective. Most hospitals had their highest case
In a follow-up to last week’s article about when discharge lounges do not work, I thought I would elaborate today on when the concept can

CMS CRUSH (Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare) signals a new era of data-driven program integrity oversight that extends far beyond coding and CDI. As federal scrutiny of claims, documentation, billing practices, provider enrollment, and payment accuracy intensifies, healthcare organizations must be prepared to identify and address vulnerabilities before they result in audits, denials, repayments, or enforcement actions. Join us for this timely webcast to learn what CMS CRUSH could mean for your organization and discover practical strategies to strengthen documentation, claims integrity, compliance readiness, and reimbursement defensibility.

Medicare regulations are complex and even seasoned professionals struggle to apply them consistently. Due to overwhelming demand, Dr. Hirsch returns for Part 2 of Ask Dr. Hirsch: Clarifying Medicare’s Most Misunderstood Rules to answer even more of Medicare’s most misunderstood questions, covering inpatient status, observation, SNF access, Medicare Advantage denials, and more. Join Dr. Hirsch as he provides clear, referenced answers to real-world questions submitted by your peers, helping you navigate Medicare compliance with confidence and clarity.

Traditional utilization management models can no longer keep pace with regulatory shifts, payer scrutiny, and operational pressures. In this webcast, Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM, ACPA-C, introduces an Adaptive Model strategy that modernizes UM through role specialization, technology-driven workflows, and proactive, team-based processes. Attendees will learn how to restructure programs to improve efficiency, strengthen clinical collaboration, and enhance financial performance in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare revenue cycle operations, from coding and auditing to compliance and denials. Join industry leaders Pam Warren (MaineHealth) and Raemarie Jimenez (AAPC) for a live fireside chat exploring how AI is changing workflows, workforce roles, payer-provider dynamics, and compliance risk—and what organizations should be doing now to prepare.

Prepare for FY 2027 IPPS changes with a comprehensive 3-part masterclass covering ICD-10-CM/PCS updates, MS-DRG shifts, NTAPs, compliance risks, and reimbursement strategies.

Stay ahead of FY 2027 reimbursement changes with expert analysis of MS-DRG shifts, NTAP updates, Medicare Code Edits, and emerging technologies impacting inpatient payment accuracy.

Stay ahead of FY 2027 ICD-10-PCS changes with expert analysis of new procedure codes, revised guidelines, and high-impact updates affecting reimbursement, compliance, and inpatient coding accuracy.
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