The Art of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health ~ Beginning Level
"Learning to Paint by Numbers"

Accurate ICD-9 coding is no longer optional. It is essential!  In order to guarantee regulatory compliance as well as financial success, it is vital that each agency has individuals trained in the most up-to-date version of the official home health ICD-9 coding guidelines. They are updated every six months and old guidance may be devastating to your agency.
 
This 6 & ½ hour beginning coding workshop is designed for home health providers with limited knowledge of ICD-9 coding rules and minimal coding experience (or for those coders who’d like a refresher on the basics) and provides:
·      A tour of the ICD-9 Coding Manual
·      Guidance on the “language of coding” as well as how to think like a coder
·      The proper steps for accurate coding
·      An explanation of significance of coding to home health in Medicare’s PPS
·      A tutorial of Official ICD-9 Coding Conventions & Guidelines
·      Guidance on when to complete M0246 Payment Diagnosis and how to recognize case mix diagnoses
·      Criteria for the selection & sequencing of primary & secondary codes
·      Considerations for the use of therapy codes
·      Special guidance for CVAs, fractures & symptom codes
·      Rules for etiology / manifestation coding with special emphasis on coding diabetes
·      Directions for the use of V & E codes in home health
·      Answers to the most commonly asked questions in Home Health Coding
·      Interactive group exercises to promote learning and stimulate discussion
·      Valuable references & resources for the ICD-9 coders
                                                                                                                        
Workshop attendees will leave with confidence in their coding ability and be prepared to handle the most common home health coding situations.
 

Organizations interested in sponsoring “The Art of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health - Beginning Level" Workshop or other OASIS Answers training, CLICK HERE

The Art of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health ~ Intermediate Level
"Creating a Diagnosis Masterpiece"

Accurate ICD-9 coding is no longer optional. It is essential!  In order to guarantee regulatory compliance as well as financial success, it is vital that each agency has individuals trained in the most up-to-date version of the official home health ICD-9 coding guidelines.  They are updated every six months and old guidance may be devastating to your agency.
 
This 6 ½ hour intermediate level coding workshop is designed for home health providers with basic knowledge and practical experience with ICD-9 coding and provides:
 
·      A brief review of basic coding skills
·      An overview of the impact of Medicare’s PPS 2008 changes related to diagnostic coding including M0246, approved V codes & the new case mix diagnoses
·      Direction on how to use the general & chapter-specific guidelines to improve coding accuracy
·      A discussion of the complex issues related to coding wounds & ulcers, post-op care, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, late effects vs. complications & symptom codes
·      Special considerations for the use of therapy codes
·      V & E code cautions & implications for their use
·      Guidance on how to use the Table of Drugs & Chemicals
·      Valuable references & resources for the ICD-9 Coders
 
Coding scenarios are included to encourage application and reinforcement of concepts covered in this workshop.
                                                                                                                                    
Workshop participants will leave with confidence in their coding ability and be prepared to handle complex coding problems.
 
Organizations interested in sponsoring “The Art of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health - Intermediate Level” Workshop or other OASIS Answers training, CLICK HERE

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series:
Wound & Ulcer Wizardry

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series:
Coding Surgical Patients & Post-op Care

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series:
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About V & E Codes but Were Afraid to Ask

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series:
The Continuing Saga of V57 & Other Issues Related to Therapy Coding

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series:
What’s New in Coding: Current Updates for Home Health Coders

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series

Wound & Ulcer Wizardry

Incorrect wound claims consistently appear in the “Top 10 Diagnosis Denials” issued by Medicare’s Regional Home Health Intermediaries. Coding wounds accurately continues to confound many home health coders reducing their agencies’ risk adjustment, case mix profile & reimbursement.  
 
But a coder who is knowledgeable about wounds & how to navigate the complex issues leading to accurate code selection can not only avoid these pitfalls – they can be one of the most valuable members of your wound care team. Effective treatment equals better patient care which leads to better patient outcomes and less wound-related adverse events & re-hospitalizations.
 
Knowing common characteristics and associated risk factors for different types of ulcers & wounds will do more than assure correct code assignment. Let us help you discover:
 
 

• The different etiologies and co-morbidities associated the wounds that are commonly seen in home health.  Knowing the etiology is essential when choosing the proper treatment for wounds.
• How to differentiate between the many types of ulcers and wounds commonly treated by home health agencies.  These characteristics are crucial clues that assist you in determining the type of wound or ulcer.
• The correct code or codes that describe these wounds and ulcers that are treated by your agency’s clinicians.

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The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series

Coding Surgical Patients & Post-op Care

The course covers the many considerations for accurate coding of post-op cases commonly seen by home health agencies.  The following considerations will be discussed to ensure proficiency when coding these cases.  Topics include:

• How to code routine post-op care versus surgical complications
• Which codes should be included to fully identify the reason for the aftercare encounter
• Considerations for coding post-op cancer patients
• Tips which help the coder choose the correct category of surgery codes
• Special restrictions and exclusions related to surgical codes
• How to avoid the most common errors related to coding surgical care

Case scenarios will be coded and discussed to clarify the many issues outlined above and to facilitate integration of this new knowledge.

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About V & E Codes but Were Afraid to Ask

The purpose of this course is to demystify V & E codes as well as illustrate their correct application in many home health cases.  The following topics will be addressed to clarify many issues related to these codes including:
·      What are V codes?
·      What are the primary clinical triggers that indicate the use of V codes?
·      How can I find V codes in the Alphabetical Index?
·      What are the different types of V codes and how are they used?
·      What are E codes?
·      Where are they found in the coding manual?
·      What are the special coding guidelines that apply to the use of E codes?
·      Where can V & E codes be used on the OASIS?
·      What are the special V & E code cautions and considerations related to Medicare & the Prospective Payment System?
Exercises and diagnostic statements are included to clarify concepts and allow practice of course concepts. .

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series

The Continuing Saga of V57 & Other Issues Related to Therapy Coding

This presentation is designed to answer many questions related to assigning codes for rehabilitation therapy. Course content will cover a myriad of issues related to coding therapy cases for home health including:

• The correct application of codes from the V57 category
• Restrictions and cautions related to the use of V57 codes
• How to find a list of codes approved by a Regional Home Health Intermediary that supports the involvement of PT, OT & SLP in the home
• The correct application of commonly-used symptom codes related to therapy cases
• Criteria to determine when to use symptom vs. disease codes
• Special considerations when coding CVA and fracture cases
• Keys to successful documentation that supports your coding choices

Discussion of coding scenarios that illustrate key topics provide practical guidance and ensure success when coding therapy cases.

The DO’s and DON’Ts of ICD-9 Coding for Home Health Series

What’s New in Coding: Current Updates for Home Health Coders

Depending on the time of year that this course is given, the content will focus on either recent or impending coding changes.  Up to date knowledge is critical for all home health coders.  This course will cover new, revised and deleted codes as well as new guidance for familiar codes.  Special consideration will be given to codes commonly used in home health cases.  Other topics include the why, who, how and when related to coding changes.  Don’t be caught violating coding guidelines with outdated knowledge.