No Cure, But There is a Code! — Fun with ICD-10
L68.0 — HirsutismnnQ84.2 — Other congenital malformations of hairnnZ73.4 — Inadequate social skills, not elsewhere classified
Basic Economics
Supply and demand pressures are rising when it comes to healthcare. Yes, healthcare has supply and demand in America, regardless of our opinions on this matter! nnYes, it does apply to healthcare, believe it or not. There are supply and demand pressures in pricing and in reimbursement, etc. There is even elasticity and inelasticity in cost and supply. In healthcare sometimes it can work backwards: like when more supply creates its own demand for services.nnThe one area that is an absolute is the power of the providers pen! In the American system only a credentialed provider can order tests, admit, discharge and even refer patients. Why is this sword so powerful, you ask? Because it comes attached to the providers license, education, their experience and their professional liability all of which have a cost! That cost needs to be covered by reimbursement! (Think beyond fee-for-service.) If you are being asked to participate in a program, a study, a new methodology and it needs a provider’s pen (the almighty order sword) to make it work you should be paid for it!nn nn
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About R. Todd Welter • MS, CPCnFounder and President of Welter Healthcare Partners
nMr. Welter has over 25 years of healthcare industry experience assisting physicians and other providers, hospitals and other facilities with the business side of medicine. Through strategic planning and analysis, Mr. Welter’s main focus is to strategically increase revenues and profitability in this radically changing health care environment. Mr. Welter has a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Regis University in Denver where he has had an appointment as affiliate faculty in the School for Professional Studies for over ten years. In addition, Mr. Welter holds a faculty appointment at the University of Denver’s University College. In the Health Care Leadership program he teaches Macro Economics in Health Care and Innovative Strategies and Change in Health Care to graduate students.
2016 ICD-10-CM Code Changes
Written By: Toni M. Woods, CCS, CPC, AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, Director of Coding/Compliancenn
This year many are anticipating the first update to the ICD-10 code set after a lengthy 5 year code freeze. Annually, new codes are added, revised, and deleted and with this being the first year of federally mandated use for the brand new code set, everyone is hoping for clarification on many coding conundrums that have perplexed us over the past year.nnOf note, this year’s updates will include 2,670 proposed code changes, which will take effect on October 1, 2016. The updates will be released and published on the CDC’s website in June, about 5 months before implementation is required.n
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- 1,943 new additions to the 2017 ICD-10-CM code setn
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- There will be 885 new codes added to Chapter 19 (Injuries Chapter), which will include increased site specificity for fracture codes of the following sites: neck, base of skull, facial bones, Salter-Harris calcaneal fractures, and other fractures.
- There will be 260 new diabetes combination codes to report commonly associated manifestations and complications.
- There will be 152 new codes added to Chapter 13 (Musculoskeletal Chapter), which will include additional classifications for bunions, temporomandibular joint conditions, cervical spine disorders and atypical femoral fractures.
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- 422 revised codes will be included in the 2017 ICD-10-CM code set
- 305 codes will be deleted from the 2017 ICD-10-CM code set
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nThe Welter Healthcare Partners coding department (based on client requests) are imploring for the following, much needed ICD-10-CM changes/clarifications:n
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- More concrete guidance on the 7th character applications in Chapter 19
- When aftercare Z codes are appropriate instead of injury codes as it pertains to Orthopedics
- Better code options for Nexplanon contraceptive management
- Clarification on the use of wellness Z codes
- Clinical guidance and examples on the dependence classifications for nicotine, which include: uncomplicated, in remission, with withdrawal, with other nicotine-induced disorders, and unspecified nicotine-induced disorders
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nnNow is the time to identify gaps, get the training your practice/organization needs, and conduct documentation queries. We recommend participating in Welter Healthcare Partners’s ICD-10 PUSH Program (Persist Until Success Happens) to ensure a smooth, successful transition, and to avoid claim denials and payment delays. Let our experts help make your job easier! Contact us today!
Too Much Noise! — Fun with ICD–10
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Recruitment Services with Welter Healthcare Partners
Did you know we now offer recruitment services? With our medical practice management experience, we CAN bring you the best candidates to fit your organization, and at a lower placement fee!nnHealth Care is a service business. Good medical services require good personnel. Good personnel make for happy customers, good patient flow, an efficient and effective practice, good team morale and productivity, and overall a well-oiled machine!nnOur Recruitment Services will find you good, qualified personnel who will be great additions to your team. We will do all of the legwork for you and we will deliver to you only the best candidates, based on your criteria. And we do it all for a 10% placement fee, the lowest fee in the market! Our services are proactive! We find candidates by using ALL of the tools available – we go find the candidates, we don’t wait for them to contact us!nnWe find multiple qualified candidates who meet your specific criteria, we then conduct:n
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- Initial phone conversation
- Face-to-face interview
- Reference Checks
- Background Check
- Skills Testing
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