Posts Tagged ‘Coronavirus’
Updated 2021 ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines Now Available
Updates to the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for January 1, 2021 include 27 new codes: 21 PCS and six CM codes. For the diagnosis codes, changes to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines were released on December 16, 2020, to reflect these six new codes.
Read More27 New ICD-10 Codes for COVID-19-Related Conditions, Approved Monoclonal Antibodies, & More Take Effect January 1, 2021
A total of 27 new codes for COVID-19 related conditions, circumstances, and treatment – including approved monoclonal antibodies – will be implemented on January 1, 2021. This includes six ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes and 21 ICD-10-PCS procedure codes.
Read MoreReview These New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Vaccines from the AMA
In anticipation of the release of COVID-19 vaccines, the AMA has released CPT codes for each of the two COVID-19 vaccines together with administration codes for first and second doses (AMA, 2020). AMA President Susan R. Bailey, M.D., remarked, “An effective national immunization program is key to bringing the coronavirus pandemic to an end. Correlating each coronavirus vaccine with its own unique CPT code provides analytical advantages to help track, allocate and optimize resources as an immunization program ramps up in the United States” (AMA, 2020). The AMA worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the codes.
Read MoreUpdate on Billing COVID-19 Vaccine: CMS Issues IFC for No-Cost Coronavirus Treatment
COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by the FDA will be covered by Medicare and most private insurers once they are available, according to CMS (2020). An IFC was released to establish that any COVID-19 vaccine that receives FDA authorization via an EUA or licensed under a Biologics License Application (BLA) will be covered at no cost to beneficiaries.
Read MoreFour New CPT Codes for Lab Tests Available Now in Latest COVID-19 Documentation Update
The CPT Editorial Panel conducted a special meeting to expedite the publishing of four new CPT codes for lab tests related to COVID-19 (AMA, 2020). These new CPT codes for laboratory tests, which are available for review on the AMA’s Public Health Resource Center, address the ongoing need to report COVID-19 testing, and include two regular CPT codes and two Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) codes.
Read MoreReview the Temporary Physician-Based Telehealth Policies & Regulatory Revisions for COVID-19
Due to the ongoing PHE regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, CMS has issued an interim final rule (IFC) to provide guidance on the updated telehealth policies and other services (CMS, 2020). The current PHE has relaxed many supervision requirements, allowing for supervision to be provided through audio/video telecommunications. Telehealth policies and procedures have been expanded further, and now include E/M services for emergency department visits, critical care services, nursing facilities, End State Renal Disease (ESRD) services, psychological/neuropsychological testing, and radiation treatment management (CMS, 2020).
Read MoreCOVID-19 Explained: Screening for Suspected COVID-19 Infection
This article offers guidelines on how to code screening tests for suspected COVID-19 infection. There are two different kinds of tests for COVID-19: a viral test to detect a current Coronavirus infection, and an antibody test to confirm is the patient previously had COVID-19 (CDC, 2020). The CDC has issued guidance on conducting screening tests for COVID-19 and other recommendations for viral testing (2022).
Read MoreCOVID-19 Explained: Coding COVID-19 Possible Infection & Symptoms
This article offers guidelines on Coding COVID-19 suspected Infection & Symptoms. Symptoms of the Coronavirus, according to the CDC, include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste and smell (2020). The reporting guidelines dictate: In patients with acute bronchitis that has been caused by COVID-19, use codes U07.1 and J20.8. For lower respiratory infection due to COVID-19, assign codes U07.1 and J22.
Read MoreCOVID-19 Explained: Part 1 – History & Suspected Exposure
COVID-19, or “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the newly discovered Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that ranges from mild to no symptoms, to severe symptoms and death.
Read MoreAMA Releases Two New CPT Codes for COVID-19 Antibody Detection
Perhaps the most important upcoming development in the fight against COVID-19 is detecting antibodies to the infection, and new tests for this purpose are being developed. As these are new tests, existing codes do not reflect these antibody studies. To assist, the CPT Editorial Board has fast-tracked the approval of two new CPT codes for the COVID-19 antibody blood testing (AMA, 2020). The new codes were published April 10, 2020, and are effective immediately. Use of the codes will allow for tracking and reporting of antibody tests specifically for COVID-19.
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