Latest COVID-19 News: Review Our Resource Center for Coronavirus Coding & Billing Updates
Latest COVID-19 News: Review Our Resource Center for Coronavirus Coding & Billing Updates
The outbreak of COVID-19 (2019-Novel Coronavirus) led to many unprecedented changes for the healthcare industry. It didn’t just place burdens on medical supplies and personnel; it also caused the organizations in charge of medical coding guidelines to produce and publish codes at a faster rate. Review this collection of latest COVID-19 news, COVID-19 coding guidelines, and other resources to ensure your coding team stays compliant.
In addition, YES HIM Consulting’s team of coding education experts has developed comprehensive courses. These courses teach learners how to apply the latest COVID-19 codes. The courses also contain the latest information to ensure your coding team remains knowledgeable and up-to-date. Review the COVID-19 Training, or contact YES today to develop a custom education plan. Coding Support services are also available for organizations that require more assistance with coding Coronavirus cases.
The History of COVID-19
COVID-19, or “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms range from mild to no symptoms, to severe symptoms and death (CDC, 2020). Historically, Coronaviruses commonly occur in humans and several species of animals, including cattle, cats, bats, and more (CDC).
For more information on the history of COVID-19, review our article, “COVID-19 Explained – Part 1 – History & Suspected Exposure.”
How to Code COVID-19 Infections & Testing
Coders use the diagnosis code U07.1 to code confirmed COVID-19 cases. Cases that do not have a positive test result should assign a code explaining the reason for the encounter, such as Z20.828 (fever). Review these articles for further guidance on when to use code U07.1: “CDC Releases Updated Coding & Reporting Guidelines for Code U07.1, COVID-19, Effective April 1 Through September 30” and “COVID-19 Explained – Coding COVID-19 Possible Infection & Symptoms.”
There have also been several new codes to document the different types of COVID-19 tests. This includes antibody detection (86328 & 86769) and antigen testing (87636 & 87637). Review these additional articles on coding COVID-19 lab tests: “Latest CPT Codes 86413 & 99072 Report COVID-19 Special Services & Tests” and “Four New CPT Codes for Lab Tests Available Now in Latest COVID-19 Documentation Update.”
Coding Guidelines for COVID-19 Testing
Application to Outpatient Testing Scenarios
Resource Center of Latest COVID-19 News:
- End of the COVID-19 PHE Prompts Coding Guideline Change for October, 1, 2023
- FDA Issues EUA for Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines – Four New CPT Codes Released
- Review the New CPT Codes for the Bivalent COVID-19 Omicron Boosters
- Provisional booster vaccine codes have been released by the AMA. Review them here: AMA Releases Provisional CPT Codes for COVID-19 Booster Vaccines
- Once young children are cleared to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, here are the codes: Provisional Codes Now Available to Report Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Young Children
- Codes for the Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccine: AMA Announces Administration Code for Third Dose of Pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
- The April 1, 2022, ICD-10 Codes for COVID-19: CMS Announces New ICD-10 Codes for Vaccination and COVID-19 Treatments
- Vaccine code updates become more relevant with each new vaccine: As More Americans Get COVID-19 Shots, Vaccine Codes are a Priority
- Review the COVID-19 updates within the 2022 CPT updates: 2022 CPT Code Updates Feature 24 COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Codes
- New FAQs updates for COVID-19: AHIMA/AHA Update FAQ Documents for COVID-19 Coding – No Code Available to Report Lack of COVID-19 Vaccine
- New ICD-10-CM codes for COVID-19: 2022 ICD 10 CM Updates Now Available – Post COVID-19 and SDH Codes Included
- New CPT codes have been issued for the Novavax vaccine: AMA Releases CPT Codes for Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
- COVID-19 variants pose potential problems for tests: COVID 19 Mutations Negatively Impact Effectiveness of Detection Tests
- Ten new FAQs were released to address COVID-19 coding: Updates to FAQs for COVID-19 Immunization Reactions, Sequelae, & Other Issues
- A single-dose vaccine from Janssen Pharmaceutica has applied for EUA; the codes are ready for use pending the FDA’s approval: Pending Emergency Use Authorization, Janssen Vaccine Codes Ready
- Find detailed information and instructions on how to apply the ICD-10 COVID-19 codes here: COVID-19 Coding Update Course Reviews New Coronavirus ICD-10 Codes & Guidelines
- Healthcare organizations have developed post-COVID-19 recovery programs to help patients with lingering symptoms: How to Code Post-COVID-19 Recovery Programs
- When the AstraZeneca vaccine was released, the AMA published new CPT codes to document it: Third Group of CPT COVID-19 Vaccine Coding Guidelines Released by AMA
- Find out how to code the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines: Review These New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Vaccines from the AMA
- Dive into the descriptors for the new ICD-10 codes that went into effect on January 1, 2021: 27 New ICD-10 Codes for COVID-19-Related Conditions, Monoclonal Antibodies, & More Take Effect January 1, 2021
- COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by the FDA will be covered by Medicare: Update on Billing COVID-19 Vaccine – CMS Issues IFC for No-Cost Coronavirus Treatment
- AMA released two CPT codes for COVID-19 & Flu Detection Tests: New CPT Codes Released & Revised to Document COVID-19 & Respiratory Syncytial Virus Detection Test
- AMA published two CPT codes for COVID-19 testing and other special medical services: Latest CPT Codes 86413 & 99072 Report COVID-19 Special Services & Tests
- AMA expedited the publishing of four CPT codes to document lab tests: Four New CPT Codes for Lab Tests Available Now in Latest COVID-19 Documentation Update
- In response to COVID-19, CMS released 12 new ICD-10-PCS codes: Twelve New ICD-10-PCS Hospital Procedure Codes Released for COVID-19 Treatment – AHIMA and AHA Update FAQs
- AMA released a new code for antigen testing of patients with suspected COVID-19 infection: COVID-19 Antigen Testing Code 87426 Available for Immediate Use from AMA
- Learn the guidelines on how to code screening tests for suspected COVID-19 infection: COVID-19 Explained – Screening for Suspected COVID-19 Infection
- Find out how to code the symptoms of a suspected COVID-19 infection: COVID-19 Explained – Coding COVID-19 Possible Infection & Symptoms
- Learn the history of COVID-19, or Coronavirus Disease 2019: COVID-19 Explained – Part 1 – History & Suspected Exposure
- Here are the codes for COVID-19 antibody detection tests: AMA Releases Two New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Antibody Detection
- Review the coding and reporting guidelines for COVID-19 code U07.1: CDC Releases Updated Coding & Reporting Guidelines for Code U07.1, COVID-19, Effective April 1 Through September 30
- Decide how to select the right code for COVID-19 cases: Selecting the Right COVID-19 Code: Should You Use CPT or HCPCS?
- Learn more on the ICD-10 MS-DRG V37.1 R1 Grouper Software: New COVID-19 MS-DRG Assignment, Effective 1
- COVID-19 had a tremendous effect on medical facilities and the healthcare industry: Emerging Medical Trends in Response to COVID-19
- Review the interim CDC guidelines for new COVID-19 code U07.1: Update – Coding Guidelines for COVID-19 Effective April 1
- Read through the various COVID-19 coding tips we’ve gathered from AMA, CMS, and CDC: Medical Coding & Billing Tips for COVID-19
How to Code COVID-19 Treatments & Vaccines
AHIMA and the AHA added a series of 12 ICD-10-PCS hospital procedure codes to the New Technology Section X; this is to document COVID-19 therapies. This article contains further details: “Twelve New ICD-10-PCS Hospital Procedure Codes Released for COVID-19 Treatment – AHIMA and AHA Update FAQs.”
So far, various have companies have released three vaccines – all administered with two doses – to treat COVID-19. The first vaccine was developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, the second by Moderna, and the third by AstraZeneca. Read these articles for additional coding information: “Review These New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Vaccines from the AMA” and “Third Group of CPT COVID-19 Vaccine Coding Guidelines Released by AMA.”
After COVID-19: How to Code Recovery Programs & Services
Of the patients who have recovered from COVID-19, 5-15% still have lingering symptoms that last for weeks or even months. To help treat these patients and their array of symptoms, many healthcare organizations have developed post-COVID-19 recovery programs. Review this article for more information on coding guidelines for these programs: “How to Code Post-COVID-19 Recovery Programs.”
YES HIM Consulting’s team of coding education experts has developed comprehensive courses to teach learners how to apply the latest COVID-19 codes. The courses contain the latest information to ensure your coding team remains knowledgeable and compliant. Review the COVID-19 Training, or contact YES today to develop a custom education plan. Coding Support services are also available for organizations that require more assistance with coding Coronavirus cases.
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