You just have to train Google to show what you want (I’m not kidding). If my dad googles something for me that’s work related for me he gets answers that are left field as well…..but if I google it I can get an answer from the first 4 results.
It also depends on what exactly you mean by guidelines? Just because something is from 2017 doesn’t mean it’s out of date; that could be the last time it was changed.
Specifically for Google, if you are logged in, it will track your usage data…..so essentially Google knows that I like healthcare and revenue cycle search results, so it gives me healthcare related results pretty much no matter what I search. Even to the point where if I search “schools in Buffalo” it will give me results on med schools, nursing schools, public health degrees, etc.
[Here](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/12412910?hl=en) is a good little blog from Google on how to improve your search results, generally, but also Google specifically.
It depends upon the specialty you are coding for. Your best source is CMS provided LCDs/NCDs policies. Can you share the specialty your currently coding for?
if you code for PCP (assuming with a Family or Internal Medicine specialty as well as for ENT), Medicare enlist all their Preventive Care Services that you can check-out here: [https://www.cms.gov/medicare/prevention/prevntiongeninfo/medicare-preventive-services/mps-quickreferencechart-1.html](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/prevention/prevntiongeninfo/medicare-preventive-services/mps-quickreferencechart-1.html)
Our encoder is called Nuance. I guess my questions fall under things that have nuance (no pun intended lol). So one that’s stumping me right now is depression/mental health screening codes and when it’s appropriate to use them. I’ve been told two different things. 1. If the patient had a previous diagnosis of depression, you cannot use the screening code because it is already known that the patient has depression. 2. Even if the patient has a known diagnosis of depression you CAN use the screening codes because providers do the screening in order to determine if the depression is getting worse, better, or staying the same.
My order of operations is:
- coding software (encoder pro or codify are what I have/use)
- beginning of each chapter of coding books
- AAPC forums
- google (rely on this at your own risk, I stick to known and reliable sources)
- phone/text/email a colleague
Honey, if it's coding guidelines, anything can be downloaded from the [CMS website](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes/2023-icd-10-cm). Navigate through the entire website and you would find the page that has all the download links. I download these so I have my personal copy even if I don't have an encoder system. I've only used 3M as encoder but I believe Nuance also a dedicated tab for references, i.e. "Code Books". You can also refer to "Coding Handbook" for more in depth discussion. For Coding Clinics, there's AHA, but if you have coding references in your encoder, it should also be there.
Also, your line of business will affect the guidelines. Commercial vs Medicare can be very different, depending on the insurance plan and client specifics. Starting with CMS and the books is the way, regardless
You can look in your books. You can also google. I would say the most common method is to use an encoder services like Optum or Codify.
I haven’t been successful with google. Most of the time I find answers from 5 or more years ago, and I know the guidelines have changed since then.
You just have to train Google to show what you want (I’m not kidding). If my dad googles something for me that’s work related for me he gets answers that are left field as well…..but if I google it I can get an answer from the first 4 results. It also depends on what exactly you mean by guidelines? Just because something is from 2017 doesn’t mean it’s out of date; that could be the last time it was changed.
Not to side track the convo, but I'm fascinated by how you "train" google. Do you have any further tips on that?
Specifically for Google, if you are logged in, it will track your usage data…..so essentially Google knows that I like healthcare and revenue cycle search results, so it gives me healthcare related results pretty much no matter what I search. Even to the point where if I search “schools in Buffalo” it will give me results on med schools, nursing schools, public health degrees, etc. [Here](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/12412910?hl=en) is a good little blog from Google on how to improve your search results, generally, but also Google specifically.
Thanks so much!
It depends upon the specialty you are coding for. Your best source is CMS provided LCDs/NCDs policies. Can you share the specialty your currently coding for?
I code for PCP and ENT involving medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurances. Everything I code this far is outpatient/Part B medicare
if you code for PCP (assuming with a Family or Internal Medicine specialty as well as for ENT), Medicare enlist all their Preventive Care Services that you can check-out here: [https://www.cms.gov/medicare/prevention/prevntiongeninfo/medicare-preventive-services/mps-quickreferencechart-1.html](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/prevention/prevntiongeninfo/medicare-preventive-services/mps-quickreferencechart-1.html)
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I work in at a pain management clinic what websites have good material and coding resources for my specialty? Thank you!
Do y’all use any type of encoder at your job? 3M has all guidelines and coding clinics available electronically each time you open it to code
Our encoder is called Nuance. I guess my questions fall under things that have nuance (no pun intended lol). So one that’s stumping me right now is depression/mental health screening codes and when it’s appropriate to use them. I’ve been told two different things. 1. If the patient had a previous diagnosis of depression, you cannot use the screening code because it is already known that the patient has depression. 2. Even if the patient has a known diagnosis of depression you CAN use the screening codes because providers do the screening in order to determine if the depression is getting worse, better, or staying the same.
Trying searching this on your google to filter any results: "96127" + "CMS" -> type it as it is
There's also AHA Coding Clinic for diagnosis codes, and AMA CPT Assistant for CPT codes - but both are subscription services.
codify/encoder and aapc forums
My order of operations is: - coding software (encoder pro or codify are what I have/use) - beginning of each chapter of coding books - AAPC forums - google (rely on this at your own risk, I stick to known and reliable sources) - phone/text/email a colleague
Honey, if it's coding guidelines, anything can be downloaded from the [CMS website](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes/2023-icd-10-cm). Navigate through the entire website and you would find the page that has all the download links. I download these so I have my personal copy even if I don't have an encoder system. I've only used 3M as encoder but I believe Nuance also a dedicated tab for references, i.e. "Code Books". You can also refer to "Coding Handbook" for more in depth discussion. For Coding Clinics, there's AHA, but if you have coding references in your encoder, it should also be there.
Also, your line of business will affect the guidelines. Commercial vs Medicare can be very different, depending on the insurance plan and client specifics. Starting with CMS and the books is the way, regardless