Coding Articles and Web Site Resources

OMT Coding Strategies To Boost Your Bottom Line
The benefits to patients and to your bottom line far outweigh the perceived barriers to making OMT part of your daily practice, both in and outpatient.  Subject areas: Bundling, Therapy vs. Treatment, using -25 vs. -51 vs. –59 Modifiers, Capitation, Chiropractic Associations and Appeals.  

Consistency Counts For OMT Coding
April 2003
Osteopathic family physicians need to be both highly skilled in medicine and practice management. Subject areas: Documentation, Evaluation & Management Codes, and  -25 Modifier.  

Coding and Compliance Checkups Essential for Medical Practice Success
May 2002
Subject areas: Business plans, financial plan, fee a schedule, and medical record audits.  

Sports and School Physicals- Code Them for What They Are
June/July 2002
Information vital to charging a preventive code for student physical visits is outlined in-depth along with specific summertime coding issues.  Subject areas: Why not an acute visit or established patient code?, elements required for preventive medicine visits and physical examination.  

Optimize Reimbursement Via Level 4 and 5 Outpatient Codes
August 2002
Detailed review on how to and when to bill a 99214 or a 99215.  

"Upcoding" Fines and How to Avoid Them
February 2002
Medicare Review Consultant provides an overview of the most common infractions.  

Don't Miss Reimbursement Opportunities
May 2001
Proper coding for emergencies and after hours care can optimize payment for services you provide.  Subject Areas: -22 modifier unusual procedural service, emergency code, and 2200-0800 (“10 pm to 8 am”) code.  

Critical Care and Prolonged Care Codes Address Intensity of Family Physician Services
June 2001
Codes available to reimburse for special care and extend time provided to critically ill patients.  Subject Areas: Critical care codes 99291 & 99292, and prolonged care codes.  

Help! I'm Being Audited!
September 2001
Know your options in the event you are the recipient of a medical record investigation.  Subject areas: Honest mistakes, and overpayment.  

Opting to Opt In or Out? Reimbursement and Cash Flow Options
October 2001
Medicine is a business and as with any business, money matters. Subject areas: Financial review, time of service discount, copay and worker’s compensation.  

Coding Web Sites

CDC Wonder
ICD9 and ICD10 Finder Keyword Search for International Classification of Diseases

CMS HCPCS Page
Downloads includeApplication Form & Instructions, HCPCS Process Revamped, and HCPCS Coding Report: and Executive Summary of Stakeholder Survey and the Pilot Medicaid HCPCS Code Modification Request Guidelines and Place of Service Codes for Professional Claims.

CMS ICD-9 Codes
Downloadable files of diagnosis and procedure codes and their abbreviated titles are available in the "Downloads" portion of this page.

E & M Documentation Guidelines from CMS
Currently, (as of November 2005) carriers are to continue reviews using both the 1995 and 1997 Documentation Guidelines for E&M Services (whichever
is more advantageous to the physician) until further notice.

Official ICD-9 Coding Guidelines
A 71-page document documenting the ICD-9 codes and guidelines.

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