flynn043

Just like the past couple of years, we've been waiting rather impatiently over the last couple of months for the release of the fiscal year (FY) 2019 ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code updates.  While the PCS code sets have been out for a month or two, the CM updates were released just last week, sans coding guidelines, which we are still eagerly awaiting.  FY 2019 codes will be implemented on October 1, 2018 (the federal fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30).  In case you're wondering how the code changes stack up to previous years, what the process is for updating the code sets, or why they aren't released at the same time, this post is for you! In comparison to past years, it's a slim year for code updates.  When the code sets were unfrozen for FY 2017 after ICD-10 implementation, we saw a whopping 2,710 CM and 4,330 PCS code changes.  Last year, for the FY 2018 release, there were 731 CM and 6,029 PCS code changes.  FY 2019 has a pretty sharp...

Lately I've heard a lot of buzz about the AAPC's credential, Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC).  Interventional radiology (IR) coders are in demand because of the complexity of the field and the notoriously high error rates seen on audits. It may sound like a great credential to get, but before you make any sudden movements, here's what you need to know about the CIRCC exam. Why this credential exists I've been coding now for 22 years and I've seen quite a bit.  I helped train the workforce in ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. I've audited ICD-9, ICD-10, CPT and HCPCS codes.  I've read the Federal Register on DRGs and APCs.  But the hardest thing I've ever had to learn to code is IR and cardiology.  The coding rules are complicated, ever changing, and often inconsistent for different parts of the body.  Learning how to code IR and cardiology procedures by just looking at the CPT book is tough enough, but not all the rules are writte...

I haven't been perusing as many coding sites and Facebook pages recently as I was a couple of years ago, but I did recently come across a post that captured my attention.  Someone was asking if there was a way to get trained in a popular electronic medical record (EMR) to help them meet the requirements of a job.  It seems many employers are looking for work experience with a certain EMR before considering a person for a position.  Is this fair?  Well, it may not seem fair if you've never worked as a coder, but if you have, chances are pretty good you've had exposure to some of the major EMR software vendors.  For those of you who don't have any practical EMR experience, here's what you need to know. Is it reasonable to require EMR experience? First of all, if you've never coded before and your coding school didn't have a relationship with an EMR vendor allowing you to learn the system, any reasonable hiring manager is not going to expect you to have experie...

These days I have more going on than audits, updates, and continuing education for CPT and ICD-10 as I eagerly await the arrival of my first child.  The beauty of the internet means I can order all kinds of things for my pregnancy and the baby from the comfort of my recliner and have them delivered directly to my doorstep.  One recent package included a packet of "stuff"  - everything from a baby bottle, to gift cards for obscure things I'm pretty sure I'll never order, to coupons, to a flyer telling me I can work from home as a medical coder while I take care of my baby. It was the last item that really jumped out at me and gave me pause.  I wasn't really surprised by the claims about making lots of money while working from home.  It wasn't the statement about the "prestige" of working for physicians.  What caught my eye were the pictures on the flyer of women sitting in front of computers with infants on their laps.  Because while I don't know ...

My blog is over six years old!  Seriously, I just checked.  In the last six years as I've put myself out there as the Coder Coach, I've spoken either personally, over the phone, or via email to hundreds - okay, it's really probably dozens - of coders and tried to answer their questions about what it takes to be a coder.  I've been amazed at how those answers have changed since then, from the evolution of technology, which allows most coders to work remotely to finally seeing ICD-10 come to fruition. So I figure it's about time I published my top 10 list: the most cringe-worthy things people say when they tell me they want to be a coder. Don't get me wrong.  My intent is not to put anyone off, but over the last six years, this coding thing has really caught on and I wouldn't want to steer anyone into a career that isn't right for them.  So take a moment to read through the list and decide if you're guilty of any of these. Since David Letterman's L...

A few weeks ago, it occurred to me that my job hasn't been "normal" for the last six years.  Right around this time six years ago is when I first went to AHIMA's ICD-10 Academy and earned my status as a trainer.  Creating and presenting ICD-10 training materials came soon after that and it wasn't until recently I realized that my job hasn't been normal for the last six years.  And since I've only known my husband for four years, one could argue that he's never known me when I'm normal... er.. at least when my job is normal! As I look around the articles and social media related to coding, a lot has changed in this industry in the six or seven years that I've put myself out there as the Coder Coach.  When I first started blogging and meeting once a month with coding students and wanna-be's, there weren't a lot of people out there looking to mentor coders.  Now, my voice is one of many as people who never heard of coding before ICD-10 jum...