AMA Bookstore News, Nov. 15, 2012

An important part of preparing for ICD-10-CM implementation is a strong grasp of diagnosis coding. But it is equally important to develop the ability to document the patient’s case with precision and accuracy. Proper assignment of a diagnosis code from the highly specific ICD-10-CM code set requires a more detailed approach to documentation.

Best Practices for ICD-10-CM Documentation and Compliance, a new resource from the American Medical Association, imparts upon the physician, coder and other health care providers an understanding of the new documentation required and necessary for a successful transition to ICD-10-CM.

The structure of this best practices book follows that of the ICD-9-CM codebook. Each chapter corresponds to an ICD-9-CM codebook chapter. All chapters begin with a basic comparison of the two code sets and the organization of each as well as discussion of includes and excludes notes. A general overview of documentation requirements and official ICD-10-CM guidelines follows. Then the chapter delves in to the requirements for specific conditions, diseases and disorders providing the following:

• A list of documentation and coding elements
• A mapping of ICD-9-CM codes to relevant ICD-10-CM codes
• A documentation and coding example coded for both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM to help illustrate differences and similarities

Each chapter ends with a quiz allowing the reader to test  retention and understanding of the guidelines, documentation requirements and code assignment. Answers to the quizzes include rationales to improve comprehension.

Order today and save 30%. Hurry! This offer expires December 12.

Are you ready for ICD-10? The date has officially been set by the Department of Health and Human Services: October 1, 2014. Does the preparation process and transition have you anxious or confused? AMA has some solutions for you.

ICD-10-CM 2013 Express Reference Mapping Cards highlight 60 to 80 of the most commonly used ICD-9-CM codes and their relevant ICD-10-CM codes for the following 13 medical specialties:

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Emergency medicine
• Family practice
• General surgery
• Gynecology
• Internal medicine
• Obstetrics
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopaedics—lower
• Orthopaedics—spine
• Orthopaedics—upper
• Pulmonology

These four-page cards are organized by ICD-9-CM code and indicate seventh digits for ICD-10-CM codes. Refer to these convenient, durable cards as you examine your practice’s most frequently used ICD-9-CM codes and transition to ICD-10-CM.

ICD-10 Action Plan: Your 12-Step Transition Plan for ICD-10 is a free downloadable practice tool written by the AMA CPT Medical Informatics Department. Although implementation of ICD-10-CM has been delayed by one year, transitioning to ICD-10 needs to begin now. This ICD-10 practice tool offers 12 critical steps along with tables and forms to help you make a smooth transition. A short glossary and list of AMA ICD-10 resources are also included.

Visit our AMA Bookstore to learn about all of the ICD-10 products, books and workshops that can help you prepare for and transition to ICD-10.

“Physicians have long held privacy as an unalienable right for their patients. Security is a modern day extension of privacy,” states Margret Amatayakul, MBA, RHIA, CHPS, CPEHR, FHIMSS. Amatayakul is author of AMA’s newest title Handbook for HIPAA-HITECH Security, Second Edition, due out this December.

So much has changed since 2005 when federal regulations first required compliance with the Security Rule and AMA published the first edition of this book, then known as Handbook for HIPAA Security Implementation. This second edition details the requirements brought about by HITECH for security and privacy as applicable to security.

Amatayakul offers readers a concise overview of information security in general and HIPAA-HITECH in particular then drills down with section-by-section descriptions of regulatory requirements and best practices. These descriptions are developed with the aid of charts, graphs, timelines, checklists and case studies. Within this second edition, she presents practical and pragmatic ways to interpret the final regulations and ensure compliance. This detailed resource covers such compelling topics as:

• The importance of information security
• A plan of action to achieve and maintain security
• Organizational relationships and documentation requirements
• Risk analysis (also required for meaningful use of the EHR incentive program)
• Administrative, physical and technical safeguards
• Business associate relationships, contracts and agreements
• Web site security, remote access, passwords, social media protections  and encryption
• Application of security controls to thwart identity theft
• Breach notification requirements

Additional features include:

• A reprinting of the final Security Rule that places the complete and official regulations at your immediate disposal
• Case studies that enhance your understanding of health information technology and the electronic health record
• Questions and answers that test your comprehension of important security concepts
• A security-related glossary that is one of the most comprehensive in the market
• Policy templates and other tools on CD-ROM that provide quick accessibility to helpful documents
• Customizable tables and checklists on CD-ROM that serve as documentation of your compliance activities

Protect your practice. Protect your assets. Handbook for HIPAA-HITECH Security, Second Editiondoubles as your quick reference to understanding the HIPAA-HITECH Security Rule and as your step-by-step guide to achieving compliance. Pre-order today.

Use code 23330 for removal of foreign body, shoulder; subcutaneous. For deep (eg, Neer hemiarthroplasty removal) use code 23331. For complicated (eg, total shoulder) use code 23331. Do not report 23331, 23332 in conjunction with 23473, 23474 if a prosthesis [ie, humeral and/or glenoid component(s)] is being removed and replaced in the same shoulder.  Want more coding advice? Subscribe to CPT® Changes Online today!

Question: May the ablation code to create heart block (93650) be reported with any other ablation code (93651 or 93652) during the same encounter?

Answer: While an infrequent circumstance, if ablation is undertaken to cause complete heart block, code 93650, Intracardiac catheter ablation of atrioventricular node -function, atrioventricular conduction for creation of complete heart block, with or without temporary pacemaker placement, may be reported in addition to code 93652, Intracardiac catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic focus; for treatment of ventricular tachycardia, to describe catheter ablation undertaken for treatment of ventricular tachycardia. Modifier 59, Distinct Procedural Service, should be appended to code 93652 to indicate this separately distinct ablation pro-cedure was performed.

Code 93651, Intracardiac catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic focus; for treatment of supraventricular tachycardia by ablation of fast or slow atrioventricular pathways, -accessory atrioventricular connections or other atrial foci, singly or in combination, describes catheter ablation undertaken for treatment of supraventricular tachycardia caused by dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal pathways, accessory AV connections, or other atrial foci, therefore, it would not be appropriate to report code 93651, in addition to code 96350. 

For catheter ablation coding, code 93650, 93651, or 93652 is reported only once to describe ablation of cardiac arrhythmias, regardless of the number of arrhythmias ablated.

Subscribe to CPT® Assistant for even more coding tips!

Next time you pick up your copy of the CPT® Professional Edition codebook, check out the tag line that reads “Your Trusted Source!” When asked for feedback, AMA customers have stated that they choose to purchase their CPT codebook from the AMA because they trust in the expertise of the AMA and they feel more confident about a codebook written and published by the creator of the CPT code set. If you are of this same mindset then consider adding one more CPT-related title to your library.

It, too, is published by the AMA. It, too, is written by the very AMA staff members who work directly with the CPT code set every day. “Just what is this ‘it’ title?” you ask. CPT® Changes 2013: An Insider’s View.

This book publishes each year shortly after the codebook, and it packs a lot of information into its 424 pages. This book offers detailed explanation of every change that has occurred within the CPT codebook since the last edition.

So let's say you're looking through the CPT 2013 Professional Edition codebook and see a blue triangular symbol next to a code you need to use. That symbol indicates that the code has been revised since it last published for the 2012 code set. But where do you turn when you're confused as to why the code changed? Or maybe you don't care so much about the why but you do need a good explanation and example of how to use that code. That's when you reach for a copy of CPT Changes 2013.

This popular coding resource provides the rationale, or the why, behind every new, revised and deleted code or guideline. Then it provides a clinical example and procedural description, or the how, so you develop an understanding of the proper way to employ the code.

Your CPT Professional codebook is a necessary tool of your trade. But enhance your ability to use that tool and use it to its full potential by investing in CPT Changes. It's like an instruction manual for each and every code and guideline update. And it comes from the source you trust—the AMA.

Books are shipping now—order your copy today!

Like what you see in AMA Bookstore News? Looking for something different? Talk to an AMA representative at the CPT® and RBRVS 2013 Symposium about AMA Bookstore News and receive a free Starbucks gift card + AMA coder bear!

When you think December, think learning with the AMA. December marks the return of AMA’s annual one-day CPT Changes Workshops. And like last year, attendees have the option to add on a second day that focuses on ICD-10-CM.

The CPT Changes 2013 Workshop educates attendees on the process, rationale and application for the 568 code changes to the CPT 2013 code set. Expert instructors Robin Linker and Susan Garrison provide a hands-on, practical explanation of the changes to the code set along with some deeper insight into the subject and examples for better understanding.

“I was very impressed with the AMA’s CPT Changes workshop,” says 2012 attendee Roxanne Thames. “The presenter was very knowledgeable of all topics and stayed on task. It is one of my favorite seminars to attend and I wouldn’t miss it.”

Oct. 1, 2014, now stands as the official implementation date for ICD-10. Instructors Linker and Garrison will lead attendees through the necessary steps for proper ICD-10 preparation, implementation, documentation and coding. Attendees will work through case studies and thoroughly examine the new guidelines and regulations.

“This is an excellent workshop taught by highly skilled, nationally recognized instructors,” states physician compliance consultant Susan Manning, JD, RHIA, CPC. “I would highly recommend this program, especially the ICD-10 section…for physicians.”

Workshops take place in five cities—Atlanta, Georgia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Baltimore, Maryland; New Brunswick, New Jersey and Irving, Texas—beginning Dec. 3 and concluding Dec. 14.

Included in the cost of admission is an attendee guide specific to the day’s topic, free AMA publications, a light breakfast and lunch. Attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations.

Online enrollment closes Nov. 26 and seats are filling fast. Register today.

Our catalog is now available in an updated and easy-to-use digital format.

• Browse products with more ease using the new flip-book format
• Browse sections using the Table of Contents (located on page 3) and click page numbers to view
• Use the Search feature to quickly locate content, product names, or item numbers
• Click to view full product descriptions and special features right from the catalog
• Add products to your cart directly from product pages
• Refresh your Shopping Cart page when you're done shopping to see all your products