CMS released an update to its FAQon coding and billing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 23. The FAQ clarifies the use of HCPCS and CPT® codes for diagnostic laboratory services.
Q: As our organization provides telephone and telemedicine encounters for services, we are considering using Q3014 for our provider-based departments in addition to the professional E/M. Does anyone have any experience with this code? If provider-based, are you applying this to a UB and the professional E/M to a 1500?
Providers will find immediate opportunity to provide virtual visits to patients enrolled in Medicare plans as CMS seeks to facilitate screening and treatment of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases through telehealth services and implement billing guidance for these visits.
Providers in the U.S. will soon have a specific ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for the COVID-19 virus. During a March 18 meeting, The ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee announced that it would adopt the World Health Organization (WHO) code, U07.1 (COVID-19), effective April 1.
Previously, the panel had planned to implement the code beginning October 1 in the U.S. But the committee moved up the adoption date after the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic and President Trump declared the spread of the virus a national emergency, explained Donna Pickett, head of the diagnosis coding side of the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee. She announced the April 1 implementation date during the March 18 committee meeting.
Prior to April 1, providers can continue to report based on previously published interim guidelines, which outline, among other things, how to report illnesses caused by COVID-19.
Note that code U07.1 should be reported only for confirmed cases. Providers should continue to follow the interim guidelines for unconfirmed cases of suspected exposure or symptoms.
Code U07.1 is designed to be a primary code—coders are advised to code also pneumonia and all other manifestations.
Q: We are seeing an influx of possible novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patients at our facility. How can we prepare to query for COVID-19-related documentation and coding issues that are bound to come our way due to the newness of the diagnosis?
CMS announced blanket waivers of certain Medicare requirements to prevent gaps in care for beneficiaries affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. The agency released billing instructions and a set of Q&As.
Healthcare will never stop evolving, which will continue to impact all of its supporting disciplines and processes. Clinical documentation improvement (CDI) is one key revenue cycle discipline that must continue to rapidly and effectively adapt and expand to meet industry demands.
NAHRI is currently accepting applications for its Advisory Board. Taking an active role in NAHRI can set you on the path to shape the future of the revenue integrity profession as well as advance your career. Applications are open to current or future NAHRI members and have been extended through March 9, 2020.
